Who knew knowing the art of feng shui could take you from tired to inspired? Here’s how to shift the energy in your bedroom to sleep better.
By Deni Kirkova
We not only need a good night’s rest to recover from the day before (or years of sleepless nights!) but because we spend a third of our lives in our bedroom. Accumulated stress from bad chi (energy) can be draining – especially for those mamas who are receptive to it.
So it’s important to know how to create a relaxing atmosphere.
But WTF is feng shui?
Well, the practice originated in ancient China and since then it has been refined and brought to the West. In this context, feng shui refers to the practice of balancing healthy environmental energy in a building and making that energy available to the people who spend time there.
Brigitte Seum, the senior consultant and director at Soulspace whose feng shui expertise spans 20 years, explains, “The idea is to design in harmony with nature and to make buildings not just look good but also feel right. Feng shui optimises flow and quality of Qi (chi/energy) in a home, bedroom or workspace. It is individual and essential in a harmonious design, placement and decor.”
“AVOID FIRE COLOURS IN THE BEDROOM, SUCH AS RED, PINK AND ORANGE. THESE ARE TOO YANG (HIGH ENERGY) AND MAY IMPACT YOUR SLEEP. YOU WANT TO ENCOURAGE YIN (RESTFUL, SLOW, QUIET) ENERGY FLOW INSTEAD.”
How To Shift The Energy In Your Bedroom To Sleep Better
1. Place Your Bed In a Commanding Position
Ensure your bed is in a commanding position – that you can see the door from where you lie in bed. Put your bed against a solid wall with a view of the door and window. Do not have the bed in the doorway as this often causes physical problems where the doorway cuts across.’ A similar ‘cutting’ energy comes from placing your bed under a window, which is why a solid wall is best.
In Feng Shui, when you are in a commanding position, you are in command of your life and able to receive positive energy and opportunities. A bed in a commanding position means you won’t be shocked or surprised by someone coming in. Add a stable headboard with smooth, rounded edges for security and harmony. Make your bed every morning to restore order and peace.
2. Create Space and Symmetry
Your bed should have equal space either side to create space for someone in your life – no-one likes to sleep against a wall – and place bedside tables on either side. These don’t have to match but should be a similar size. Increase the look of symmetry with table lamps to create a bookend feel, so that your sleeping space is a room within a room.
Create more space in your drawers and cupboards to allow for fresh, new opportunities and possibilities. In feng shui, space clearing is sometimes called ‘space blessing’ and can be applied to both physical and atmospheric space. Try diffusing sweet orange essential oil (more of this in tip #9).
3. Declutter and Clear Obstacles
All doorways and pathways in your bedroom should be clear of obstacles, and your space should be free of clutter. This includes storage under the bed, which affects the energy you absorb while you sleep. Tune in to the blocks in the physical pathways as you make your way around your room. Whether it’s clutter, or something not working properly, get it fixed to improve energy flow.
Decluttering applies to your whole house, but the aim should be to create space rather than get rid of things. According to feng shui, your living space should contain only the essentials to help you clear your mind, allow you to relax and let you focus on the things that matter.
4. Art, Plants and Mirrors
If you choose to have art in the bedroom, make it something soft on the eye that evokes positive feelings such as love and peace. Hang it high to heighten positive chi, and make sure it’s straight. No dark or depressing paintings (check tip #6 for more on colours).
Meanwhile, plants are one of the best Feng Shui tools – but not for the bedroom, unless the room is particularly large. Plants and flowers bring life energy, vibrancy and vitality into the home. They are better suited to most other rooms, however, if your bedroom is particularly large you can place a plant as far from the bed as possible.
Mirrors can open up a small room but heighten what they reflect so avoid placing them where you can see your reflection at night. This enhances emotions experienced in bed which increases yang energy.
5. Banish All Electronics
Reduce electro-smog by avoiding cables around or under the bed, as well as chargers next to it. Switch electric blankets off at the plug after warming the bed, turn phones and tablets on aeroplane mode, and turn your wifi off at night.
Clear your bedroom of a TV, computer, exercise equipment and your mobile phone at night. At the very least don’t sleep with it near your head. Electrical items introduce stress energy into a space that should be relaxing and harmonious. Try a battery-powered alarm clock instead.
6. The Best Feng Shui Colours
There are five Feng Shui elements to consider in home decor: Water, Metal, Fire, Wood, and Earth. They are all important however a general rule of thumb is to avoid Fire colours in the bedroom, such as red, pink and orange. These are too yang (high energy) and may impact your sleep. You want to encourage yin (restful, slow, quiet) energy flow instead. Avoid painting your walls bright, brilliant white, too, as this will be too stimulating.
Beige, cream (Earth – stability), blue (Water – ease, abundance), and grey (Metal – calm, clarity) make great yin colour choices. Generally, you should incorporate more of what you lack/need.
7. Choose Suitable Clothing
One of the aims of feng shui is to cultivate a feeling of the organic world outside within a man-made building, so wearing natural fabrics is a good step in the right direction. BJ’s PJ’s offers ideal clothing for sleep, rest and lounge, in yin feng shui colours (grey, blue, charcoal), made locally from eco-friendly cotton and without harmful chemicals, dyes or toxins. There is also special effort in each item to avoid unnecessary fuss such as buttons and collars, adding to your decluttering efforts and helping to ease more restful, restorative energy flow.
8. Avoid Water and Pipes
It is commonly known in Feng Shui that water symbolises wealth and prosperity, however, it should be avoided in the bedroom as it attracts powerful chi energy and leads to feeling ungrounded. While they may seem romantic, avoid water features and paintings of water in the bedroom.
Do not place a bed on a wall that has water pipes running through it. It can cause sleep problems, especially if water is flowing through these at night.
9. Maintain The Windows
Windows represent your eyes, so clean them regularly using a non-toxic cleaner, such as white vinegar diluted in water with essential oil. Keeping your windows clean lets in more light, which naturally energises and wakes us up, as well as increasing the clarity and colours of all that we see, both literally and metaphorically. However, keep the curtains drawn at night time.
10. Give the Doors Consideration
Ensure that your doors open and close to at least 90 degrees completely and with ease, ensuring smooth energy flow. If your doors don’t open properly, check why: perhaps it’s an obstacle or clutter behind the door, or the mechanics need attention.
When you’re receiving only part of the energy available due to a blocked portal, you’re closing yourself off to some of life’s possibilities. Doors also signify the way you communicate and your voice (think throat chakra).
Finally, for a great night’s rest, keep all your doors shut while sleeping, including the entry door to the bedroom and wardrobe.
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