Wellness Mental Health Stress 3 Types of Calming Pictures By Ashley Zlatopolsky Ashley Zlatopolsky Ashley Zlatopolsky is a Detroit-based storyteller with more than 10 years of experience. She writes, edits and creates content strategy for publishers, brands and private clients.Her award-winning work includes editorial, branded content, interactive content, SEO, marketing, ghostwriting, web, e-commerce, UX, radio and documentary production.With 55+ cover stories published worldwide, her writing can be found in Rolling Stone, The Washington Post, Nat Geo, Billboard, the Guardian, The Daily Beast, Detroit Free Press, Healthline, USA TODAY, Parents, SELF, Apartment Therapy, U.S. News, Business Insider, The Atlantic, Real Simple, Healthy Women, VICE, Greatist, Reviewed and more. health's editorial guidelines Updated on January 21, 2024 Medically reviewed by Elle Markman, PsyD Medically reviewed by Elle Markman, PsyD Elle Markman, PsyD is a licensed clinical health psychologist and integrative health professional. learn more In This Article View All In This Article Nature Seascapes Fractals Calming Colors Tips Trending Videos Close this video player Chronic stress can lead to anxious feelings and thoughts, taking a toll on your mental health. Calming pictures and certain colors, such as blue and green, may help you relax and improve your mood. This type of mindfulness meditation helps you maintain your attention and awareness in the present moment. What images make people feel calm? Pictures of nature, seascapes, and fractals might induce relaxation Read on to take a mental vacation with these calming pictures and learn what types of pictures can alleviate stress. Photo by Martin Rancourt on Unsplash Why Nature Sounds Are Great for Relaxation Nature Andreas Wonisch / Stocksy The link between nature and relaxation is no secret. Research has shown that simply living near green spaces improves mental health and well-being. Looking at pictures of nature can also help. Some evidence suggests that pictures of nature reduce activity in the orbitofrontal cortex. This part of your brain regulates emotion. The orbitofrontal cortex can be hyperactive when you experience anxiety or depression symptoms, causing stress or worry. A study published in 2021 compared pictures of forests to pictures of cities. The researchers found the forest pictures similarly reduced activity in the orbitofrontal cortex, increasing comfort and relaxation. Seascapes Photo by Sean Oulashin on Unsplash Many white noise machines include a whoosh of crashing waves. Even looking at calming pictures of the ocean can have a similar relaxing effect. A survey published in 2021 found a link between ocean views and improved mental health. The researchers linked views of blue space, including seascapes, to reduced stress. Fractals Mark Windom / Stocksy Natural fractals are patterns that recur on finer and finer scales. You can find fractals almost everywhere in nature, including in shells, flowers, leaves, snowflakes, and river deltas. There are also artificially made designs in architecture. Research has shown that fractals can reduce stress. These patterns can result in positive psychological experiences, especially relaxation. Try looking at a succulent or sunflower if you want to look at a fractal to reduce stress. Calming Colors Colors can have a major impact on stress levels. Blue and green, in particular, can do wonders for your mood. These colors can stimulate clear thought, calm your mind, and help you concentrate. Both colors are common in nature. Green and neutral earth tones may remind you of plants. You may think of the sky and the sea when you see shades of blue. Research has found that blue light exposure can significantly reduce blood pressure. Your blood pressure might temporarily spike if you are stressed. Tips How often you use calming pictures and colors is up to you. Just try to be consistent either way, regardless of whether you look at calming pictures and colors daily or once per week. Here are some ways to help you relax while looking at calming pictures: Find somewhere quiet and comfortable that's free from interruption. Make sure the temperature is comfortable and not too hot or cold. Relax your body and muscles, especially any tense areas.Spend a few minutes looking at calming pictures or colors while deeply breathing.Try to focus on the image in front of you and how it makes you feel. Which Foods Help Reduce Anxiety? A Quick Review Try looking at calming pictures the next time you are stressed. Certain images, shapes, and colors can have a calming effect on your mind, improving your mood and helping you relax. Consider keeping these sorts of images on hand for times of stress, whether you are new to this type of mindfulness meditation or a seasoned professional. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit 8 Sources Health.com uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. 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