Tag Archives: Feng Shui bedroom design

Take Command Of Your Sleep, Start With Feng Shui Design

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“By helping us keep the world in perspective, sleep gives us a chance to refocus on the essence of who we are. And in that place of connection, it is easier for the fears and concerns of the world to drop away.”
– Arianna Huffington, The Sleep Revolution

In July I shared with you I will be part of an anthology, Recipes For Living Coloring Journal. It’s no surprise my chapter is devoted to how Feng Shui bedroom design helps you sleep better. I truly believe the bedroom is the most important room in the house. So when I read Arianna Huffington’s account of her “wake up call” in The Sleep Revolution, I knew that the benefits of Feng Shui design need to spread throughout the world.

“We are in a sleep deprivation crisis,” writes Ms. Huffington. “I experienced firsthand the high price we’re paying for cheating sleep when I collapsed from exhaustion.” She goes on to say, “If we look at our lives as a spiritual journey, sleep becomes a key paradox: when we completely identify with our persona in this world–with our job, our appearance, our bank account–we are asleep to life’s deeper dimensions….We are living in a golden age of sleep science–revealing all the ways in which sleep and dreams play a vital role in our decision making, emotional intelligence, cognitive function and creativity. And how lack of sleep is often the culprit behind anxiety, stress, depression and a myriad of health problems.” (Harmony Books, The Sleep Revolution)

Consulting with my clients I have discovered a similar loop. Usually it takes the form of an underlying anxiety that monitors their decision making where their choices are based on a stress response. For nearly everyone of them this stems from an exhaustive bedroom design.

Sleep not only helps you work efficiently but be a productive part of society. Yet productivity is but one piece of the well-being matrix. Living fully and consciously means tapping into your creativity, your rich well of emotions and you soul’s purpose.

Of all the Feng Shui design advice I give on the bedroom, I have found “placing the bed in command position” carries the most weight in addressing productivity (yang) and creativity (yin) of our everyday lives. And for those who constantly deal with anxiety, worry and depression, it is a gift for the soul. Bed placement creates a palpable shift in your emotions and I have seen a positive attitude change as a result. Choices come from confidence rather than the seat of the pants. Clarity eliminates self-sabotaging behavior that cycles into stress. Inspiration flows freely as the brain functions at its optimal capacity rather than run on auto-pilot.

If you’ve had doubts why changing your bed position is a good idea, I’ve included a short list. You may be surprised how it influences your health and peace of mind.

  • Heart troubles. Where your bed is positioned can place stress on your emotional heart. Prolonged stress can develop into physical heart troubles including a murmur and arrhythmia.
  • Illness along the midline. Your major organs from your brain to your kidneys can be affected.
  • Insomnia and restless sleep. Our brain is responsible for our survival. It we’re too close to an entrance, either facing it, to the side of it or behind it, this placement triggers the amygdala (the fight-or-flight mechanism). Our brain never shuts off and this weakens the immune system which depends on releasing toxins and building tissue in sleep.
  • Missed opportunity. If you sleep in line of the door your body never lets down at night to rejuvenate. During the day you may be preoccupied with a low grade headache which will invariably eclipse a chance meeting or being considered for promotion.
  • Mood swings. If your bed is on the door wall, you cannot see who is coming, you may feel a sense of danger and you may be blind-sided.

Command position is based on H.H. ”Professor” Lin’s Theory of Relative Positioning which states, the energy that is closest to you affects you the most. Think of the gunslinger in the old westerns. He always had his back to the wall and his eye on the saloon doors. Never too close and not in line of those swinging doors.

  • Your bedroom door determines command position.
  • The door should be within eyeshot of the bed.
  • The bed placement should allow the widest scope of vision of the door.
  • The best placement when feasible is the farther wall from the bedroom door.

As you lay in bed tonight take a moment and observe your surroundings. What do you see? What do you feel? Self awareness is key to getting a good night’s sleep.

Have you decided this will be your year? “Boldness has genius”…start with one hour of Feng Shui A La Carte. Think of it as a fairy godmother for your house.

What I have discovered about our homes is that creating a heart healthy space leads to peace and contentment. The bedroom is where it begins. Start with my complimentary pdf: 27 Bedroom Concepts To Maximize Your Health, Happiness and Peace of Mind. Design your space to your best advantage. Subscribe to my blog and special offers. You’ll receive this valuable Feng Shui Guide as a thank you gift.

For Back-To-School Success, Begin With Your Child’s Bedroom Design.

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The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows. 
–Sydney Harris

You want what is best for your child. Your child dreams of being happy. Let your child’s genius out with good Feng Shui design. It helps them gain a positive outlook, develop a curious intellect and build self-confidence. By nurturing these beneficial habits of character you fulfill both your dream and theirs. In truth, Feng Shui is fundamental, insomuch that it creates a favorable environment for your child to go back-to-school feeling focused, cheerful and enthusiastic.

Where to begin.
Your child’s bedroom is their personal realm to sleep, study, play, entertain their friends and discover who they are. Because they spend a good portion of their time here, creating a meaningful and personal arrangement will help them access their talents and enjoy a positive school year experience. 

What to arrange.
Placement of your child’s bed influences their ability to wake up clear headed and start on the right foot. “Command position” places the bed in the opposite diagonal corner to the bedroom door with the door in clear sight. This key concept allows for an overall view of the space and gives your son or daughter a sense of control. This arrangement nurtures relaxation and feeling safe and protected.

Quite often overlooked but very important is the space under the bed. Ch’i needs to circulate. A bed on the ground conducts yin Ch’i and the potential for unexplained illness to occur.

If you have a designated area for your child’s study time and their desk faces a wall, their back is to the door. This shifts their attention to what is going on behind rather than on the homework in front of them. The distraction can be remedied by placing a clear, one piece, framed mirror on the wall in front of their desk. It will give them a sense of focus. This mirror placement also expands the space and reflects back self assurance. Oh and be sure when the light goes out for bed the computer is covered.

Why keep the space in front of the bed clear?
The space in front of your child’s bed represents their future and should be deep. Remove tall footboards, chests, chairs or couch. This establishes, at an early age, trust that the future is bright and promising. Keep this area clear as much as possible.

Which colors work best.
If you want your child to feel calm yet energized, light blues and greens and are soothing, restful colors. Green specifically stimulates growth, health and focus. Your child can look at green for a long time and not get eye strain. Blue emits a sense of well-being. It cools down energy. If your child is unable to settled down before going to bed or they are prone to feeling frustrated or angry, paint the walls soft blue or add accents in their room. Earth tones too help your child’s emotions come to rest if they experience mood swings. 

How to encourage a positive outlook.
Electronics are an inevitable part of modern living but they can be minimized and they should be because long exposure to a young, developing brain can affect a good night’s sleep and create mental stress plus nerve damage that leads to more serious consequences. A distance of four feet reduces the effect of harmful EMF energy (electromagnetic field). If you want to be completely electronic free you can purchase a kill switch that turns off all electronic devices. 

Assign a space for child’s achievements by hanging up their awards and certificates where they are easily visible and can be enjoyed. Admire their artwork with them. Place a poster board where it will be seen upon entering the room for your child to pin their artwork, display their cherished posters and photos with friends from favorite events.

Poison arrows are corners and angles that point at your child when they enter the room, study at their desk or sleep in bed. They are stress producers. They can bring up feelings of being criticized. A faceted crystal will soften a sharp corner. Should the corner of their desk be directed at your son’s or daughter’s head while he is sleeping, you can place a scarf on it or a trailing plant. A philodendron is a good solution. In addition to modifying the effect, you teach your child responsibility in plant care with regular waterings and feeding.

When you change your child’s bedroom design.
You’ll receive A+ for your efforts when you see the look of radiance and enthusiasm in your child’s eyes when they excitedly tell you, “I want to go back and learn more.” Ring the bell! A genius sprouted, a dream come true.

If vitality, beauty and balance is what you seek, check out Feng Shui A La Carte.

What I have discovered about our homes is that creating a heart healthy space leads to peace and contentment. The bedroom is where it begins. Start with my complimentary pdf: 27 Bedroom Concepts To Maximize Your Health, Happiness and Peace of Mind. Design your space to your best advantage. Subscribe to my blog and special offers. You’ll receive this valuable Feng Shui Guide as a thank you gift.

 

Super Moon. Career Success. 9 Feng Shui Office Tips For Ultimate Productivity.

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“Don’t lose sight of what you want to achieve. Every action is a step toward or away from what you want.”
– Shane Parrish

Shane’s vision superbly aligns with the June 23 Super Moon. Launch your project, reformulate your mission or infuse your career with an innovative strategy. Results are guaranteed from the Zodiac’s master of efficiency, organization and commitment, Capricorn. It will be non stop exhilarating focus the two weeks following, but you can be certain to revel in meeting your goal. Start with intentional redesign of your work space.

The Tao of productivity.
Work environments focus on one reality to get tasks accomplished. But what is essential to maintaining healthy productivity is balance: physical space to mental space, logic to feeling, Yang to Yin. Yang is systems, logic, deadlines, physical space and tangible results. Yin is feelings, intention, mental space, imagination and the intangible. When expectations are founded on a manifesto of deadlines and unhappiness. When dissatisfaction predominates then productivity goes down. Balance the Yang to Yin, logic to feeling and you’ll dissolve busyness, filler steps and distractions. What will emerge is a natural system of productivity and efficiency. 

9 Feng Shui Office Tips for Ultimate Productivity.

  1. Yang: position. Your desk is the seat of your power. Don’t diminish your concentration with interruptions. Turn your desk so you can see who is coming into your office. Or place a mirror opposite where you sit at the desk. Form a habit of smiling into the mirror. Ultimately it will increase your happiness quotient. Yin: perspective. Create a daily mantra that reminds you of your life purpose. Say it nine times before arriving at the office, express it with gratitude. It adds energy to your energy.
  2. Yang: commanding view! Your office door is an important entry. The best position for your office desk is in the furthest opposite corner or wall from the door. You are perceived as having more authority. Yin: this placement builds confidence and self control. It favors a relax approach and open minded communication among your co-workers and with your boss.
  3. Yang: change a mediocre workspace into a dynamic, energizing room with quality lighting. It activates your endorphins and bolsters your mood. Add a LED lamp next to you. The spotlight creates attention getting results. Yin: the warmth of the sun is a life giving presence. Mirror its generosity, perform a kind deed. Kindness generates the same feeling as abundance.
  4. Yang: invite Nature’s vitality in. A plant’s life force increases your brain power to help you complete your tasks. Place a lush green plant with rounded leaves on the desk if it’s close to the door or in line of the door. It creates a friendly boundary plus it reminds you to breathe. Yin: make time after work for a Forest Bath, Shinrin-yoku. Its a short, leisure walk through the woods for relaxation and breathing in phytoncides (wood essential oils). The Japanese regard this as natural aromatherapy and it promotes a healthy lifestyle.
  5. Yang: six inch solution: if you bang your chair against the wall when you back up from your desk you are creating the scenario “there is no way to turn a situation around.” Your mind goes directly to feeling “blocked in”. Move your desk away from the wall at least six inches. Your focus smooths out and problem solving becomes easier. Yin: unblock your thoughts with meditation and function at your highest operating state. It produces calm and you may avoid amygdala (the part of the brain that controls response and empathy) hijacking. 
  6. Yang: a difficult economy produces daily anxiety. Red has a stabilizing effect on the eyes which are connected to your heart. Place a red object in the area directly across from the entrance to your office. A side note: red, symbolic of happiness, is a colorful antidote to anxiety. Yin: get away from the computer every few hours. Consciously breathe: inhale-one, two, three, four; exhale-one, two, three, four. Might seem counter intuitive but actually this creates deep calm which awakens your brain. Feel recharged and ready to get back to work.
  7. Yang: periodically evaluate the items on your desk: What is unusable let go. This following detail may seem small but is seminal to your creativity. Make a space on your desk so your eyes can come to rest in that spot while you work. The spaciousness it creates can foster an innovative idea. Yin: clutter is connected to your emotions. If find you are emotional at work, first harmonize your space. This creates balance in your mind. Its much easier to sort through your files with a clear head.
  8. Yang: not getting answers to your questions and the right help is an opportunity for wasting time and feeling overwhelmed by frustration. The most effective solution I have seen is transcendental. Yin: stand at your office or cubicle, the far right front corner is the Helpful People area. Place with intention a poster of a beautiful place, a mentor or a world figure that you admire. Visualize Helpful People show up with frequency when you have a problem. And find opportunities to be a helpful person yourself.
  9. Yang: if you like working from the coffee shop make sure you check in at your office chair and desk periodically. Maybe Chinese superstition but don’t wait for the shoe to drop and all areas of your life spin out of control. Yin: visualize. Your imagination is stronger than your thoughts. See in your mind the steps and the end result of your project. Outside events will conspire to make your work flow more easily.

Setting up your work space is the forward step in creating the Tao of productivity.

My services are Feng Shui a La Carte, one hour or Your House Is Talking, full consultation. I look forward to having a conversation with you.

One thing I have discovered about our homes is that creating a heart healthy space leads to peace and contentment. The bedroom is where it begins. Start with my complimentary pdf: 27 Bedroom Concepts To Maximize Your Health, Happiness and Peace of Mind. Design your space to your best advantage. Subscribe to my blog and special offers. You’ll receive  this valuable Feng Shui Guide as a thank you gift.