Feng Shui Experts Share 9 Ways to Improve Sleeping Habits
The ancient practice of Feng Shui is said to encourage harmony between our life and the environment. This means maintaining positive and balanced energy around the home that will influence healthy routines and aid us day and night.
So, which key Feng Shui methods can help improve our sleep? Mattress Online partnered with Feng Shui experts to reveal their top dos and don’ts.
Bedroom tips for a good night’s sleep
Match the sizes of your furniture
People who struggle to sleep well may have created an imbalance in their bedroom through furniture choices, according to Suzanne Roynon. It is important to keep furniture like bedside tables and lamps of a similar size to foster balance and harmony. Mismatched items can create inequality and instability, which may seep into daily life and family relationships.
Make space for oxygen to flow
Heat and snoring are regularly blamed for sleep deprivation. These can be mitigated by increasing fresh air flow and vital oxygen through a room. However, having one window open during summer nights may not be enough, and using a fan will only move hot air around! Instead, open doors and windows elsewhere in the house to encourage air to move freely says Suzanne Roynon.
Inbaal Honigman also recommends removing any obstruction to create a good energy flow.
Position your bed opposite to the door at an angle
Suzanne Roynon recommends placing your bed opposite the door but moving off to one side or the other for the best sleep quality, creating a diagonal between the door and bed. By including a strong headboard against the wall, the arrangement will give you a sense of safety and prevent vulnerability. Never place the bed directly opposite the door, which can exhaust you.
Keep your space clean
Feng Shui involves creating the smooth circulation of positive ‘Chi’ (life-enhancing energy). According to Feng Shui principles, dust is one sign of energy stagnation, so it’s good to notice where dust settles as it indicates ‘stuck energy’ that may affect the occupants. Suzanne Roynon clarifies that clutter works against good health and well-being and is a magnet for dust accumulating. So, clear out your ‘floor-drobe’, wipe down surfaces and clear out unwanted items to significantly improve sleep quality.
Consider your head placement
If you have trouble sleeping, Janine Lowe suggests facing the top of your head North. This is called the ‘sleep of the dead’, and while the name may sound alarming, it can help get to sleep quicker and longer. And if you are in a partnership, angling the top of your head towards the East is said to enhance the romance in your relationship.
However, Inbaal Honigman also shares that it is equally important that your feet not point directly out the door, as this is an unlucky ‘coffin’ position.
Opt for soothing colours
Choose soothing colours for your bedroom walls, such as earth tones, pastels or soft shades of blue and green. These can create a calming effect around the space and encourage relaxation, according to Denise O’Dwyer. Avoid using bright and loud colours as they can be overstimulating and disrupt sleep.
Softer ambient lighting in your bedroom can create a tranquil and cosy atmosphere. Check for any spots of excessive shadow and light them up, as the principles of Feng Shui suggest shadows can slow down energy flow.
Hang harmonious artworks
Art, décor and mementoes can also subconsciously impact a room and may trigger negative thoughts and even nightmares. As the bedroom should be about rest, romance and relaxation, choose art and decorations that are calming and supportive, explains Suzanne Roynon.
Denise O’Dwyer also suggests that selecting art or images which evoke serenity, balance, and harmony is key to creating a restful environment. She recommends avoiding using images of water and excessive/bold decorations, as this can create an imbalance in the room.
Don’t sleep under heavy fixtures
Avoid sleeping under heavy beams or ceiling fixtures as heavy objects overhead can give the sense of increased pressure, making it more difficult to relax, says Denise O’Dwyer.
Avoid mirrors in your bedroom
Our Feng Shui experts suggest removing any mirrors in your bedroom. But if this is not possible, opt for wardrobes with built-in mirrors inside. According to Janine Lowe, seeing yourself or the bed in the reflection can cause restlessness and disturbed sleep.
Inbaal Honigman, a Feng Shui expert, explains why Feng Shui can help improve our quality of sleep: “The art of Feng Shui helps align and harmonise all the energies in the house, and as a result affects all those in the house, creating a balanced environment. When we feel aligned, we are calmer, work more efficiently, have better moods, and can rest more effectively.”
