Feng Shui your way to sleep
Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese practice of balancing the energies in a home for the benefit of its inhabitants. It’s an intricate methodology that requires careful consideration of the intention, symmetry and elements of a space.
Based on Taoism, the underpinning belief is that all things are infused with life force energy, or ‘‘chi’’. Balancing the chi in your home ideally results in a more harmonious living environment that leads to prosperity and happiness.
Named for the elements of wind and water, which are associated with good luck in Chinese culture, having good Feng Shui in your home means having good luck.
Intention
‘‘Your bedroom really is a place of retreat,’’ says Rosemary Nelson, feng shui consultant and interior and garden designer for more than 30 years. ‘‘So anything in the bedroom needs to be heart-centred, needs to have a feeling that you love it, or that you want it in your bedroom,’’
If two of you are sharing the bedroom, the furnishings should reflect what you both want.
‘‘It has to represent both of you,’’ she said, ‘‘and what your goals are as a relationship.’’
Bed basics
Some bedrooms don’t have a lot of options but it’s best to avoid what is called ‘‘coffin position’’.
‘‘Sleeping position is difficult sometimes but really try not to have your feet facing the door, into the hallway. It’s a very draining position and drains your energy,’’ says Nelson.
Next, she suggests choosing a set of bed linen that makes you feel good. It doesn’t have to be expensive, just in colours or designs that you love.
Clear clutter
Ditch clutter from your surfaces, beneath your bed and inside your wardrobe.
‘‘Open your wardrobe. How much stuff is there in your wardrobe? Things you don’t wear or aren’t relevant, junk or things you don’t use, clear them out.’’
Ban the TV, computer and exercise equipment
A bedroom full of electro-magnetic frequencies is not ideal for rest. ‘‘Cellphones need to go on flight mode and take out the TV. Leave your tablets in the lounge before you go to bed.’’
Art matters
When it comes to bedroom art, if you want love in your life, Nelson suggests artworks with a theme of pairs.
‘‘If it’s something romantic, if it’s something that represents love and is soft and flowing, that’s always quite good,’’ she says.
‘‘Couples, love, twos of things. It could be two birds, anything, depending on what you want to encourage in your life.’’
Create privacy
‘‘ Your bedroom should be a place for truthfulness and safety. It’s a private place,’’ says Nelson.
‘‘It’s your naked self. So everything that’s placed around you has to take you back to that innocence, which is quite a lovely thought.’’
Promote privacy in your bedroom by making it a child-free zone, not taking Instagram pictures in there, or keeping the door shut if you live with flatmates.
Another way of making your room your own is relegating family photos somewhere else. Because do you really need Great Aunty Mabel watching over you while you sleep?
‘‘You don’t get on with all your family,’’ Nelson says, ‘‘It is better to have them somewhere else. Especially ancestors, unless you’ve got a real closeness to them.’’
‘‘I tell people to make a life history or do a collection of family photos in the hallway.’’
Close the door
Finally, close or partially close your door at night for a more harmonious rest. Especially if your feet are facing the door.
‘‘I always close mine,’’ says Nelson. ‘‘It’s closing off your world. But if you’ve got animals coming and going it can be a bit difficult.
‘‘Even if you shut it so it’s only just ajar, you’ve made it so you are going in there to sleep.’’