How Feng Shui Can Improve Your Home and your Health
Feng Shui is an artform based on a series of guidelines derived from ancient Eastern philosophies that is designed to create a sense of balance and harmony in the home which therefore creates a sense of balance and harmony within oneself. The thought being that if one’s home is healthy, then the individual can be healthy. When a this perfect balance is achieved in the home a positive energy is therefore created. There are many factors in a home that can block this positive energy, the most important perhaps, is organization.
How feng shui can boost your energy level
We all have days where we drag, when we wonder how on earth we will stay awake until the day’s end. The thought behind feng shui is that your energy level may be directly correlated to your own space, both home and office. We’ve all become victim of being overworked and over scheduled. We’ve been pulled in more directions than we often can handle and the result of this is that we become overstressed to the point of exhaustion. The best way to destress is to rest. But often, and for a myriad of reasons, this is impossible. Perhaps the single most important thing we can do to rest is to declutter.
The Art of decluttering
Many people have a hard time decluttering. It can be a monumental task that can take up to days, even weeks to get under control. The best place to start is slowly, one room at a time, focusing only on that particular room until you get to the next. The most important room to declutter is the bedroom. But clutter often lies where it is unseen. According to feng shui, even unseen clutter will crowd prevent positive air and energy from flowing. So, as you declutter your bedrooms, you must also take a good look at what lies behind your bedroom closet. If you have a master bathroom that is directly attached, you will want to declutter that as well. Regardless, any and all bathrooms should be decluttered to create an environment of peace and relaxation, which is exactly what you want your bedroom to be.
As you declutter make three piles:
1. Things you no longer need, want, can use
2. Things that matter and are important to you – have significant meaning or those items that you have inherited.
3. Things you need
1. Goes to garbage, donations
2. Set aside the things that matter, for now
3. Find homes for all the things you need, then back to
2. Make homes for the things that matter but do not create clutter as you do this.
How to create flow and positive energy in your home
Walk around your home freely. Do you stumble on furniture or rugs? Do you have a hard time opening doors? Air should flow around everything in your home. Move furniture away from walls, even if just a couple of inches. Pull furniture pieces together to create an area where air can flow around. Use your windows. Natural light is very important and brings with it tremendous energy.
Windows should never be blocked. In the practice of Feng Shui mirrors are often used to reflect this energy into other areas of the home, but you do not want to bounce the energy back out doors. Mirrors are called the aspirin of feng shui and with proper placement, they can dramatically shift the flow of energy in any given space. Mirrors also bring a sense of refreshment and calm.
The five elements of feng shui
There are 5 elements of feng shui: Fire, water, earth, metal, and air. Each of these elements works independently and collectively to restore calm and bring energy to your space.
First there is wood which is used to harness the power of creativity and expansion. Wood also represents such aspects as birth, strength, flexibility and intuition. There must be proper balance in the use of wood in your space as too much is apt to make one feel overwhelmed, stubborn and inflexible. Not enough wood may be responsible for lack of creativity, ambivalence and depression. Add wood to your space by incorporating plants, paper, furniture and textiles .
Then there is fire. Fire increases enthusiasm and leadership skill. In the home fire is used to encourage expressiveness, inspiration and boldness. With fire a perfect balance is essential. Too much fire isn’t good and an overabundance can show itself as anger, aggression, irritability and impulsive behavior. A lack of fire is often associated with emotional coldness, lack of vision, inexpressiveness and low self-esteem. To add fire to your space add some candles, incandescent lighting and make sure you take full advantage of natural sunlight. Additionally, electronics, animal prints and “hot” colors, such as red, pink or purple will also serve as a fire element.
Earth affects our physical strength and order while generating an overall feeling of grounding, balance and stability. An overabundance of earth in a space, can create a sensation of boredom, sluggishness and seriousness. Too little earth, often leads to disorganization, chaos and lack of focus. Add earth elements to your space by using the colors green, brown and sand. Images of landscapes and square and rectangular shapes will also bring these elements into your home.
Metal affects mental clarity and logic. Metal affects one’s organization, focus, righteousness and analytical abilities. Too much metal, can result in chattiness, overly critical thoughts and speaking without thinking. Too little metal often leads to quiet, cautiousness and lack of focus. To enhance a space with metal add round or oval shapes anything made of metals, including iron, aluminum, gold or silver rocks and stones and white, gray, silver or light pastel colors.
Water’s domain is responsible for spirituality and emotion. A balance of water brings forth inspiration, wisdom and insightfulness, whereas too much water can create the feeling of unbalanced transition and the sense that you’re drowning emotionally. It can make you feel overwhelmed and overly social. Too little water may result in a lack of sympathy, loneliness, isolation, and stress. Try incorporating water into your space by adding black or any deep, dark tones like blues, greens and purples reflective surfaces, such as mirrors free-form or asymmetrical shapes and any water related objects such as aquariums and fountains.
How to create calm and order in your home using elements of feng shui
The presence of Buddha creates instant tranquility. It is often suggested to bring a Buddha image or replica into your home. Aroma therapy is another calming feng shui practice. The daily use of essential oils will help purify, relax, energize and also create a very sensual ambiance. Art is also extremely important in feng shui and is thought to improve the energy of both home and office. Make sure the art you select fits the needs of the room.
A bedroom or bathroom, for example, should have artwork that is sensual and soothing – watercolors of photographs of nature. Family rooms and offices fare better with art that energizes filled with bright and vibrant colors and images. The tone of the art must fit the tone of the room. Candles support the fire element and are a must for every home. You may want to consider a small fountain for your home. The fountain supports that water element, with the soothing water energy thus creating a most tranquil and peaceful energy.
Bamboo is a very important feng shui element. It’s not only beautiful, offering up the earth element, but is considered to be a symbol of good luck. The plant is easy to take care of and is thought to teach the ultimate wisdom – how to be both flexible and hollow as to allow the spirit to flow freely and heal your being.
Using the colors of feng shui to achieve order and balance
Red is the color of passion, courage and romance and represents the Fire element.Vibrant red color brings into your home the energy of joy, excitement and stimulates sexual desire. Red is the Chinese color of luck and happiness, the marriage color in India, and the symbolic color of love and romance, courage and passion in the West.
The feng shui color yellow represents sunshine, and happiness. It is cheerful and uplifting and brightens any home or office. Feng shui yellow in your kitchen creates energy. In living room and children’s rooms can create a coziness. From bright sunflower, to pale buttery yellow color tones, there are many shades from which to choose.
Blue represents calm, peace and tranquility. It also represents the water element. It’s a magnificent feng shui color – with many hues and tones from the palest to the deepest, this Feng shui-wise, color blue is excellent for use in all areas of your home.
Green represents growth, health, vibrancy. It is also the color of the Wood element. It’s nourishing to your health – mind, body and soul – as it balances the whole body by bringing healing feng shui vibrations from nature. When bringing this color into your home, it is best to incorporate several different shades in order to maximize the feng shui energy effects.
Orange is social, optimistic and open. It is another color belonging to the fire element and perfect for those areas when red is a bit too intense for the home. Orange creates the necessary feng shui energy to promote lively conversations and good times in your house. Orange color reminds us of summertime dreams and warm glow of log fires.
Purple is royal, mysterious and noble – also belonging to the fire element. Feng shui masters advise using color purple in moderation. As purple color is a very high vibration color, it might be best to bring it into your home with various decor elements – from pillows to art – rather than wall color. The best feng shui spaces where you can freely use the intensity of color purple are a healing room or a meditation space.
Pink is the universal color of love. It is gentle, soothing and loving, also belonging to the fire element. Pink is a perfect feng shui color to soften the energy in any given space. Its gentle and delicate feng shui vibrations have a proven soothing effect on one’s behavior. While the beauty of this color is in the eye of the beholder, it’s one that suits any room in your home.
Gray scales represents clarity, detachment and neutrality. It is represents the Metal element. While it can be considered as a boring color, it is also highly sophisticated and upscale. Gray brings forth beautiful feng shui energy to any space.
By incorporating these basic philosophies, thoughts and colors you can create a peaceful, harmonious space, allowing the energy to flow in a positive manner. When your home is a relaxed one, your mood will reflect this, and you in turn will become more relaxed and less stressed. Stress is responsible for so many ailments. As the stress disappears, the ailments will too. Practice feng shui in your office to create a space that encourages relaxation as well as productivity.
Article Source: http://freshome.com/2013/11/20/feng-shui-can-improve-health/
Image Source: http://cdn.freshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/fung-shui8.jpg
VOCABULARY WORDS:
1. Derive (v.) ~ obtain something from (a specified source)
2. Stumble (v.) ~ trip or momentarily lose one's balance almost fall
3. Harness (v.) ~ control and make use of (natural resources), especially to produce energy
4. Ambivalence (n.) ~ the state of having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone
5. Hue (n.) ~ a color or shade
6. Detachment (n.) ~ the state of being objective or aloof
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:
1. What is feng shui? According to the article, how can it affect our everyday life?
2. How can clutter affect our mood and our health? How often do you declutter your home?
3. Do you think your house has a good flow of positive energy? Why is positive energy necessary in our life?
4. Would you consider reorganizing your home to practice feng shui? How about your workplace? Discuss your answer.
