Do you wish you could improve your sleep? If your answer is “yes”, rest assured you aren’t alone; many of us are constantly looking for ways to get better, more relaxing sleep. A lack of good quality sleep can lead to stress, weight gain, and forgetfulness, to name just a few of the scientifically-proven impacts!
So, how to go about getting better sleep? Well, there are numerous lifestyle factors you may wish to consider. A great place to start is the optimization of the space you sleep in (aka your bedroom). In the following article, we’ll explore how the popular art of Feng Shui can play a key role in helping you to create a balanced and peaceful bedroom, ensuring a harmonious environment that's optimal for deep, restorative sleep.
Let’s get into it…
What is Feng Shui?
You’ll likely have heard the term before, but do you actually know what Feng Shui represents? Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese practice that has its origins in early Taoism, a Chinese philosophical tradition.
Taoism incorporates a system of five key elements: earth, metal, water, wood and fire. The theory is that these elements interact with one another in different ways, and each element represents certain qualities, colors and shapes that we see in our everyday lives.
For example, wood as an element symbolizes creativity and growth. Wood’s colors are generally intertwined with nature, including green and blue hues. Water, on the other hand, symbolizes spirituality and is thought to foster relaxation; this element can be represented through items such as mirrors, fountains and other water features in the home. Metal is thought to promote productivity, logic, and efficiency; this is why metal items in spherical and round shapes are encouraged in spaces where you would wish to harness this kind of energy.
As it relates to interior design, Feng Shui suggests that you can use these five elements to bring certain qualities and energy to an area when setting up and designing different spaces in your home, office, etc. Through the use of Feng Shui to play around with and balance these elements, one can optimize the “Qi” or “Chi” of your living space - the cosmic energy that flows through it. This will, theoretically, boost your wellbeing and allow you to achieve greater harmony with the universe.
Feng Shui in the Bedroom (Furniture, Lighting, And More!)
For many of us, our bedroom is a sanctuary (or at least we would like it to be!). It’s a critical space where we can wind down, be ourselves, fully relax and, most importantly, recover from each day’s activities with restful, restorative sleep. If you’re looking to incorporate Feng Shui into your home, the bedroom is a key place to start.
So, let’s talk about the basics of Feng Shui for the bedroom. First off, it’s a good idea to consider the positioning of your bedroom furniture. Feng Shui highlights the importance of symmetry and balance in a space, in order to achieve a harmonious feel. This can look like matching nightstands on either side of your bed, for example, spaced evenly apart to achieve symmetry on both sides.
The positioning of your bed itself is also key. The principles of Feng Shui suggest that one’s bed should not directly face either a door or a mirror, and should be placed as far away from the door as possible, ideally at a visible angle from the doorway. Similarly, beds should not be positioned directly under a window.
The lighting in a bedroom can also greatly affect the perceived energy of a space and how we feel when we spend time in it. A room that is too dark can lead to feelings of low mood, anxiety or depression. According to Feng Shui, natural lighting is preferred. Furthermore, harsh or bright white bulbs should be avoided.
Feng Shui Bedding Tips
We’ve talked about the optimal positioning of your bed… but what about optimizing the bedding that dresses it!? As it happens, there are various ways to elevate your bed sheets, pillowcases, bed covers, and more to improve your sleep, according to the principles of Feng Shui.
One core value of Feng Shui is the reduction of clutter, and the positive impact this can have on the flow of energy in a space. The less clutter and elements, the better; as the phrase goes, “a messy room equals a messy mind”! An easy way of translating this idea to your bedding is the use of a comforter!
An all-in-one piece like a comforter provides a pared-back bedding solution, removing the need for many different layers of bedding (such as a top sheet, duvet cover, and duvet insert) which can often lead to a messier setup. A comforter also reduces the time and effort required to make your bed; this makes you more likely to leave your bed looking clean and tidy each day (for optimum zen vibes).
According to the principles of Feng Shui, different materials also promote different energies within a space; the role of natural versus synthetic materials is not to be underestimated. Clean materials that have been OEKO-TEX® certified, for example, are more likely to bring a more positive energy to your space to promote balance, comfort and harmony. OEKO-TEX® certified materials are guaranteed to be 100% free of harmful chemicals, having been independently tested with strict global criteria.
Another factor to consider when it comes to choosing Feng Shui-friendly bedding is the role of different colors, and how they can influence the mood and energy of a space. Natural, pastel, and more muted hues, as well as blue tones, for example, are often associated with calm feelings. On the other hand, bright or harsh colors such as reds can make a space feel less relaxing. Choose your bedding colors carefully, according to the vibe you wish to create in your bedroom.
Now, for a bonus bed-related Feng Shui tip: clean out that under-the-bed storage space! While under the bed is a popular space to keep a whole range of items, Feng Shui suggests that too many items spilling out from underneath your bed can lead to an overall feeling of chaos and disorganization in your bedroom. Items under your bed can also prevent energy and air from circulating throughout the room. This is best avoided to achieve optimum relaxation.
Creating a Restful Atmosphere in Your Bedroom
Feng Shui takes a holistic approach to promote a harmonious environment, so it’s important to take into consideration things like scents, sounds, and light when optimizing your cozy space.
First off, your bedroom should bring you comfort, and sometimes that comfort can come from a delicious scent or fragrance. Picture going into your bedroom at the end of a long, tiring day and taking a deep inhale of a relaxing scented candle or diffuser filled with essential oils - “aaah”. What a way to wind down! Make sure this item fits seamlessly into the aesthetic of your bedroom, ideally with a sleek and minimalist design.
Other ways to create a restful atmosphere in your bedroom can be reducing disruptive, external noises with soundproofing. Nothing interrupts a “zen” Feng Shui vibe more than screeching traffic, car horns blaring and noisy neighbors!
One can also promote relaxation and balance in the bedroom by using an eye mask while you sleep, or even installing blackout curtains to stop light coming in during the early hours of the morning when sleep is normally the lightest. This will help you to get the most uninterrupted rest possible.
More Feng Shui Home Decorating Tips
While we suggest starting with the bedroom when it comes to Feng Shui-ing your apartment or house, it’s important not to neglect other important spaces in your home!
Use Feng Shui to optimize harmony and serenity in your living room, for example, by incorporating plants and living things to bring the outdoors in and allude to nature. With regards to furniture placement, ideally, your sofa should face the doorway and be positioned up against a wall. One should also keep furniture to a minimum to avoid clutter and allow air and Feng Shui energy to flow freely through the room.
The same goes for not over-filling your shelves (in any room!); while it can be tempting to display a wide array of books, trinkets, and more on shelves throughout your home, Feng Shui generally employs the principle that “less is more”. It is best to display only the items that mean the most to you and complement each of your spaces.
To Conclude…
We hope that, in this article, you’ve found some practical Feng Shui tips for everyday living. Most importantly, don’t be intimated! Feng Shui is not an “all or nothing” approach; you can gradually implement Feng Shui into your home, making one or two small changes to your bedroom and bedding and observing the impact on your sleep and overall well-being.
You can even adapt traditional Feng Shui principles to your personal style and needs. It’s all about making it work for you!