“Feng Shui:

Creating Balance in the Bedroom”

by Tracy Miller

Your bedroom is the sanctuary of your home. Perhaps more than any other place in the house, it provides you with a quiet, safe, supportive refuge where you can let your guard down and escape. Not surprisingly, most people will spend about one-third of their life resting and relaxing in their bedroom.

But not all bedrooms exude a calming atmosphere. In fact, many achieve just the opposite effect. If you wake up fatigued, or find you and your spouse argue more often in the bedroom, then take heed: you might want to try a few tips from the ancient Chinese art of feng shui. According to the principles of feng shui (pronounced “fung-shway”), subtle differences in the way we arrange elements in an environment can lead to powerful changes in the way we feel in that environment. Here are some tips to follow:

Position your bed in the corner farthest away from the entry and with the greatest view of the room.

Whether you are dressing, sleeping or relaxing, you are most vulnerable in the bedroom and need ample time to react to interruptions. By positioning your bed away from the door, you take yourself out of the direct path of chi (energy). Imagine standing in front of a blowing fan-the airflow is too strong to stand there very long. By moving aside and out of the fan’s direct path, you can still benefit from the cool air without being blown over by it. Similarly, by moving the bed out of the doorway, you can take it out of the direct path of chi and can relax from a more protected position.

Avoid electronic equipment in the bedroom.

Electronic gadgets are great for active spaces but are definitely wrong in the bedroom. Having a home office in the bedroom is also a bad idea because phones, faxes, computers and copiers in your sleeping quarters will almost certainly prevent a restful night’s sleep.

Place the head of your bed against a solid wall.

In feng shui, what lies behind you is known as your “tortoise side” because it represents the shell that protects your back. If the shell is strong, you are able to relax because your most vulnerable side is protected. Placing the head of the bed against a solid wall allows your subconscious mind to let down its guard, allowing a greater sense of peace. If you have to have a window behind you, hang heavy drapes or curtains and make sure to close them at night.

Your bedroom should be in the quietest part of the house.

The master bedroom should be located in the room farthest from the front door. Bedrooms near the front door, family room, and kitchen are exposed to too much energy and offer no sense of relaxation. They are better suited as offices or playrooms.

Put bedroom lighting on a dimmer.

Lower lighting helps bring down energy to a restful level. This is especially true for lamps near the bed.

Remove clutter from the bedroom.

Eliminating the mess is one of the easiest things you can do to create a restful atmosphere. Putting away your clothes and paperwork, and getting rid of clutter in the closet will also help you create a more relaxing environment.

Keep the temperature cool.

It’s much more tempting to climb underneath the covers and drift off to sleep when the temperature isn’t too warm. A hot and stuffy room is sure to keep you awake at night.

The ancient art of feng shui has been in practice for centures. Perhaps you can benefit from the basic principles and improve your quality of sleep and relaxation in the bedroom.