What do you lose, when you don’t get enough sleep? There are countless studies documenting effects that your body may suffer. To name a few: difficulty focusing, short-term memory loss, weight gain, hypertension, depression, and accelerated aging.
Correcting poor Feng Shui may not be the entire solution. However, many people have reported significant benefits from making a few changes in their bedroom and other areas of their home.
In addition to considering how Feng Shui can contribute to a better night’s sleep, please seek medical attention, if you have ongoing sleep issues.
BED PLACEMENT
• Whenever possible your bed should be in a command position. This means that your bed should be as far from the door as possible while still facing it. This allows you to have a clear view of the door without being directly in front of it. If this isn’t possible, attempt to position one or more mirrors to enable you to see the door. (Next month I’ll elaborate more on mirrors and sleep.)
This is important because, although most of us feel safe in our home, the reptilian part of our brain is always subconsciously scanning for danger. This puts us into a subtle state of fear, which can manifest as stress and nervousness.
When you have a clear view of the door, that part of your brain can relax.
• One of the most difficult bed positions is when the foot of your bed faces the bedroom door. This can cause major health issues because your body’s energy leaves through your feet and exits through the door.
It’s best to move your bed. However, if you can’t do this, a well-known Feng Shui remedy is to hang a round, multifaceted leaded crystal between the foot of your bed and the door. Another thing that you can do is install a solid footboard or hang a quilt over an existing footboard, if it’s not solid.
• Ideally, there shouldn’t be doors on either side of your bed as the energy from the doors crossing your bed will cut through your own energy field.
Therefore close doors that are adjacent to your bedroom—especially a bathroom door. If you have an open doorway between your bedroom and bath, hang a round leaded crystal in the doorway or find another way to create a separation between the two spaces. This is also especially important if you have problems with digestion or elimination.
• Another issue is when your bed is against the same wall as the door. The easiest solution is to hang a leaded crystal between your bed and the door.
These are just four examples of bed placements that can affect sleep.
YOUR BED
• Avoid headboards and footboards with slats and cutouts. They can cause cutting energy. The headboards especially can contribute to headaches and problems with sleep.
Depending on the placement of the slats, they can also create a division between you and your partner. A quick solution is to drape a bedspread or other material over the headboard or footboard to cover the offending boards while you are sleeping.
• If you’ve recently left a relationship, consider getting a new mattress. Mattresses are notorious for holding on to energy. If you’re really done with the relationship, consider replacing pillows and other bedding.
HIGH EMFs AND/OR GEOPATHIC STRESS
High electromagnetic fields (EMFs) in your bedroom have been associated with impaired sleep along with other health problems.
Although this is often not considered to be a Feng Shui issue, many Feng Shui consultants are trained to test for high EMF levels and geopathic stress. Many of us believe that it’s a key element for insuring that your home is balanced and safe.
Even though I use a Triaxal ELF Magnetic Field Meter to determine if EMFs are in the safe range and dowse for to determine geopathic stress (harmful ground energies) in the bedroom, there are several things you can do without any special equipment or knowledge:
• Remove or unplug electrical equipment in your bedroom. If this is not possible, unplug anything next to your bed that you don’t absolutely need.
• Turn off your cell phone or move it out of your bedroom. Unplug portable phones. If you must have a phone close to your bed, consider installing a landline to limit your exposure to EMFs.
• If you watch TV in bed, cover it before going off to sleep. Better yet, also unplug it.
Also, there is much mainstream research on sleep which advises us to turn off all screened gadgets like TVs, Computers, IPads, etc. at least an hour before going to bed.
Next month’s article will include more information about Feng Shui and its effect on sleep.
In the meantime . . . May your sleep be deep & restorative!
Suzanne
© 10/8/13 • Suzanne Metzger • Feng Shui Consulting Services
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