The Hidden Power of Color: How Colors Affect Your Mood, Body, and Soul

The human soul- spiritual in its essence- is naturally attuned to the deeper roots of color. From birth, it senses the spiritual origins of different colors, many of which are part of complex, unseen worlds. The colors that surround us can have a real impact on our emotions and mood. Let’s look at a few examples that demonstrate this.

How Color Affects the Nervous System

Recent research into the human nervous system has revealed that the part of the system we don’t consciously control- the autonomic nervous system- is split into two opposing forces. The sympathetic nervous system, prepares us for action and stress: it kicks in during fear or emergency, triggering alertness, tension, and energy. The parasympathetic nervous system, helps the body relax and recharge.

Interestingly, each system responds differently to color. The sympathetic system reacts mainly to the color red, while the parasympathetic system is stimulated by blue.

In practical terms, when you look at red surfaces, your body may enter a more energized, alert state. This reaction is even more intense when the red light appears suddenly. Imagine sitting in a dark room when a bright red light suddenly flashes- your blood pressure may spike, and your heart rate and breathing speed up. By contrast, blue light tends to calm the body and promote rest.

Even those who love the color red generally can’t sit in a red-painted room for hours as it eventually causes them to feel agitated or irritable. Likewise, people who are drawn to blue often find a completely blue environment too cold or even sedating over time. Sitting in a pure white room can become overwhelming, due to the intensity of light bouncing off every surface.

Black, on the other hand, absorbs light and creates an atmosphere of seriousness and gravity. Judges, political leaders, and decision-makers often wear black as it is associated with solemnity and clear judgment. A room entirely painted black can create a heavy, depressive mood, draining joy and vitality.

Nature’s Healing Palette

Colors like green and turquoise (light blue) create a sense of peace and well-being, especially when they appear together. In times of abundance and blessing, nature tends to clothe itself in these tones such as green grass, trees, and fields, turquoise lakes and rivers. The sky above us is painted blue, while the earth beneath us sprouts green. According to a spiritual perspective, this color arrangement is no accident- it's an intentional part of the divine design, created to surround us with beauty and calm.

Can you imagine what it would feel like if everything in nature- trees, leaves, rivers, and oceans- were red instead of green and blue?

Hospitals and medical centers that recognize the calming power of green often use it for staff uniforms and wall colors, creating a more soothing environment for patients.

These natural tones can even help in treating emotional and mental health challenges. Taking daily walks in nature with someone who’s struggling can help regulate emotions and speed up psychological healing. The movement, the scenery, and the connection, all combine to rebalance the inner world.

Why We’re Drawn to Certain Colors

Our attraction to specific colors isn’t random. Each person gravitates toward colors that reflect their internal, emotional, or spiritual state. Psychologists have found that color preferences can offer clues about a person’s personality. For instance, a man who chooses a bright red car over a calm blue one isn’t just making a stylistic choice- it often reflects something deeper.

Men and women generally differ in their color preferences. Women tend to be drawn to more vibrant colors and shades of red, while men often prefer calmer colors, particularly shades of blue. This distinction, according to spiritual teachings, is linked to the “root” of the soul in the higher realms: the female soul is rooted on the left side, associated with gevurah (strength/discipline), while the male soul is rooted on the right, associated with chesed (kindness/expansiveness).

When a man is strongly drawn to red, it may suggest an emotional or reactive nature, which is less typical for males and may create challenges in various areas of life. This doesn’t mean he’s flawed, but that he may need to develop better balance and emotional self-awareness to align with his unique role in the world.

For a woman, a preference for red isn’t problematic at all. Just like in the military, different divisions have different roles, each one vital. A woman can be spiritually attuned and fully herself while embracing vibrant colors- so long as it's done modestly and without seeking excessive attention.

This contrast between red and blue, left and right, discipline and kindness, is so deeply ingrained that it even appears in how we instinctively treat babies. We dress baby boys in soft blue, connected to kindness, and baby girls in soft pink, which is a gentle form of red, tied to emotional strength. We’re drawn to this symbolism without even realizing why.

Color speaks directly to the soul. It shapes our emotions, reflects our inner state, and can even bring about healing if we learn to pay attention to its quiet influence.