I love a good night's sleep. As a Feng Shui consultant and spiritual coach, I know the importance of deep and restful sleep. Whether in my home or traveling, my nightly intention is ending the day in a comfortable bed, feeling completely relaxed, free from my worries and cares, and for at least seven to eight hours, peacefully drifting into a place of deep and restorative sleep. My goal is waking in the morning visualizing that every DNA strand, cell, and fiber of my body and soul are restored, renewed, rejuvenated, and remade for another day of work, fun, and family.
After years of rearing young children, hitting the sleepless nights of menopause, and building a career, my ongoing mission is helping family, friends and clients to create a peaceful environment for a restful sleep.
When I made the decision to make sleep a priority, I tried over the counter remedies, but didn't like the way I felt in the morning: groggy and unenthusiastic about starting my day. I tried melatonin with some good results, except I'd wake up four hours later and be wide-awake. I also chose not to use any prescription sleep aids.
Feng Shui became my solution for a good night's sleep.
Feng Shui is the ancient science and transcendental art of balancing the energies in our immediate environment, such as our home, bedroom and other living spaces (a piece of real estate, a business, etc.) so that our bodies, lives and intentions come into greater harmony with the energies of the earth and the laws of nature. We have a greater chance to achieve our highest potential -- including getting a fantastic night's sleep -- when our "chi," or human life force energy, is in balance and harmony with these energies.
There are many Feng Shui "cures" or remedies for sleep. Feng Shui is both intuitive and intentional. So, if you really want a good night's sleep, take off your shoes and get into your bed and look around. What do you see?
Feng Shui is the ancient art and science of placement. How we place the furnishings in our immediate environment, and then how we place ourselves in the larger environment effects many things, including health, wealth, career, relationships, family, reputation, creativity, talent, children, travel opportunities, helpful people, knowledge and judgment.
So, what's going on around your bed?
A major problem I often see with clients having trouble sleeping is clutter both under and around their bed. To sleep peacefully, the energy needs to flow smoothly around you. If there is clutter or stored items under your bed, then the flow of energy is blocked. This can lead to feelings of being stuck or stagnant.
Books or items around your bed that remind you of work will also affect your sleep. To help relax, remove these items from the bedroom before going to sleep. Instead of that pile of books, bills, and blackberry, add a vase of fresh flowers or healthy green plant to enhance your bedroom. Also try placing a pleasing, restful picture directly across from the bed.
Also consider the materials and construction of your bed.
To energetically support a good night's sleep, it's preferable having a solid headboard. A wooden or upholstered bed is preferable to a metal bed because like electricity, energy can travel too quickly around the metal, creating a feeling of frenzy or activity. A waterbed can also be problematic, leading to feelings of instability.
Clean colored sheets, such as bright yellow, strengthen your health. Spring green is also a good color; the color of rest and renewal. In Feng Shui, the energy associated with white sheets is considered too yin, or weak. Think about it: white sheets are used at hospitals, morgues and funerals to cover a dead body.
While still in bed, consider your position in relation to the bedroom door. Is the door easily viewed from your bed? From a Feng Shui perspective, the best position for your bed is what we call "The Commanding Position."
The Commanding Position is the spot in the room where you have the widest view of the door. That is, the bed is placed against the wall opposite the door, but not in line with the door. Sleep is more peaceful because energetically you're in command of your space. If the bed can't be moved, another option is strategically placing a mirror so you can see the door opening from your bed.
While still in bed, look around for sharp angles pointing at you or the bed. Sharp angles can be the edge of a column, pillar or large piece of furniture. Energy moves very quickly off these corners, forming what in Feng Shui is known as "a knife-edge." Think about the implications of having a knife pointed at you while you sleep. Although knife-edges can be disruptive to your health and sleep, they can be softened with draped fabric or a tall plant with a vine running up the corner. Mirroring these sharp edges can also make the point disappear. And if you're traveling, bring a green feather boa or an artificial vine to temporarily cover any knife-edges.
Another concern for sleep health is electromagnetic fields (EMF's). EMF's radiate from clock radios, TV's, computers, blackberrys, stereos, fish tanks and other electronic devices. The further you keep EMF's away from your body, the better chance you have for a good night's sleep.
In our home, TVs and computers are not permitted in the bedroom, and I suggest to my clients (including my blackberry addicted husband, Robbie) moving the clock radio, cell phone and blackberry at least eight feet away from where you sleep. Many clients like to fall asleep to the TV, but this can be disruptive to your own life force, causing a poor quality sleep.
Last step. Just prior to sleep, I advise my clients to practice some form of prayer or meditation. In the Feng Shui community, there are many meditations known to bring about a restful sleep, and I recommend the Supreme Yoga Meditation One, found through my friend and mentor, Katherine Metz.
Feng Shui is a conscious balance between nature and your intentions. Remove the clutter, get brightly colored bedding, place the bed in the Commanding Position, block the knife-edges and the EMF's, bring in some flowers or plants, and quiet your mind, and chances are you're on your way to some very sweet dreams.