Feng shui is an ancient system of thought originating in China that focuses on harmonizing the forces within a space to improve the flow of energy. Though the practice originates in Taoism, interior designers from a variety of backgrounds have used the system's principles to improve the balance and congruity of rooms.
You may associate feng shui with simply selecting a new position for furniture, but the art of feng shui entails so much more than moving tables and chairs around. Improving the energetic flow of your home can increase prosperity, calmness, and even the quality of your sleep.
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It's no surprise that a calm, relaxing bedroom space improves your sleep. How can feng shui design principles influence the approach you have to the items and atmosphere in your bedroom? By using some simple feng shui principles, you can maximize the positive influence of your surroundings on your sleep.
Eliminate Screens
The presence of televisions, tablets, computers, and phones in your bedroom leads to distraction. They keep your mind elsewhere, inhibiting your ability to relax. Move the screens elsewhere in your home in order to sleep deeper and better.
Position Your Bed Appropriately
According to the feng shui principles of balance, you will want your bed to be approachable from both the left and right sides. Placing a small table on each side of the headboard also improves energetic balance. The last feng shui principle related to bed positioning is two-fold: put the head of the bed against a wall, and avoid aligning the foot of your bed with the doorway. A feng shui expert or interior designer can help you determine the very best position for your bed in a room.
Purify The Air
Simple logic supports this principle: you will sleep better if you can breathe better. Purify the air in your room with an electrical air purifier and proper ventilation. Feng shui does not recommend placing plants close to the bed.
Do Your Work Elsewhere
Whether it's making phone calls or writing a to-do list for the next day, work is best done outside of the bedroom. Doing work in the same place you sleep leads to further distraction and doesn't allow you to "turn off" your mind once it's time to rest.
Choose Art That Carries Good Energy
Symbols are important! The best artwork for a bedroom reflects the forces that you want in your life such as love, intimacy, and joy. According to feng shui, art with images that reflect loneliness, excessive solitude, or other negative forces decrease your ability to relax and experience pleasant and fulfilling sleep.
Dim The Lights
Ideally, you will be sleeping in complete darkness. The energy of light causes you to stay alert. Use heavy curtains or shades to block out any excess light coming in from the windows. As you prepare to lay your head down, dim or decrease the amount of light in your room. It's an energetic cue to your body to get ready for bed.
Close The Doors
When you are ready for sleep, close the door to your room. If you have closets or an adjacent bathroom, close those doors as well. According to feng shui, creating a closed space maintains higher levels of nourishing energy throughout the night, leading to a deeper sleep.
Use Non-Toxic Materials
Working with a mattress and bed frame company that uses eco-friendly, non-toxic materials can help you avoid the kinds of synthetic materials that block the flow of energy. Cotton, silk, wood, and other natural materials will lead to a greater sense of harmony within your bedroom. Deeper relaxation at night will reverberate throughout your life.
