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Your bedroom is a wonderful sanctuary. It is an intimate space of relaxation, sleep, and restoration. Feng shui, an ancient Chinese philosophy that optimizes invisible qi energy, offers great wisdom to design a bedroom. Following their precepts may offer better sleep, plus improved relationships and health.
It does not involve a total overhaul or redesign; in feng shui, a few tweaks like rearranging a piece of furniture, reorganizing, or opening windows creates a positive energy flow and can make the world of difference. Here are five ‘feeling good’ feng shui tips to balance and reinvigorate your bedroom.
It all starts with the bed
In feng shui, the bedroom is the most important room in the home, with the bed being the dominant part of this room, according to The Spruce. Ideally, the bed should be positioned diagonally to the door so one can see the doorway, but not with a direct full view of the door. This offers a commanding view of this area, but feet in bed should not be pointing directly to the door.
When lying in bed, one’s head should be pointed south. The bed, especially for married couples, should have access on both sides, suggests My Domaine. This creates symmetry and balance in the room. So if space is an issue, avoid squeezing the bed into a corner and allow just a small space to get in and out of bed on both sides. If you have more space, place a bedside table on each side of the bed to encourage balance.
The headboard, which symbolizes stability and support, should be attached securely to a solid wall and should not be made of iron, an activating material according to feng shui.
Less is more
Time to declutter, says feng shui! If the bedroom has become a storage area, this can block the flow of positive energy, says Good Housekeeping. This means taking knick-knacks out and putting away those piles of clothes and shoes into a clean and organized closet.
If there are files and papers related to work, this could detract from having a relaxed sleep, so take them out of the bedroom. Another tip is to remove books with themes that could influence dreams negatively. As for the bed, do not store anything underneath it as this could block energy. In fact, the bed should be lifted off the ground so energy can flow underneath.
Get rid of electronics
Yes, a room free of a TV and cell phone will improve sleep! As most people have both a TV and cellphone in their bedroom, Good Housekeeping suggests turning off the TV an hour before bedtime and placing phones on airplane mode. Or, move the phone outside of the bedroom while sleeping. Aside from the bad feng shui, the blue light and electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from computers and cellphones creates a wakeful state and impedes relaxing sleep.
Opt for soft light and color
A neutral bedroom equals a calm and non-stimulating room, says The Spruce. Go for creamy, earthy tones. Beige, pale green, or cool blue are the most relaxing, rejuvenating colors for a bedroom. As for decor pieces, choose from partnership colors including soft pinks, whites, and a dash of red.
Soft lighting also helps set a gentle mood, recommends Good Housekeeping. Avoid overhead lights and use table lamps or wall sconces that can be dimmed. During the day, let in gentle natural light but do not flood the room with bright sunshine. At night, keep the room darkened with blackout shades. Another feng shui tip is to avoid too many mirrors as they bounce light around the room and can interfere with a good night’s sleep. If you have a mirror, do not hang it facing the bed.
Nourish the five senses
Another route to relaxation in the bedroom is through the senses, suggests My Domaine. As balanced feng shui in the bedroom is all about restful sleep, start by calming the senses.
For smell, encourage relaxation and better sleep by placing a few drops of lavender or your favorite essential oil into a diffuser. Scented candles make for wonderful feng shui accessories.
As for touch, feng shui is all about soft and cozy. Use luxurious fabrics for curtains, sheets, and pillowcases. Blankets should be plush to the skin.
The feng shui sense of sight favors neutral, earthy tones and incorporates pairs of objects into the room. Soft sounds in the bedroom could be a soothing playlist or white noise machine to induce sleep, while taste might be a refreshing and nourishing pitcher of lemon water set next to the bed.
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