Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese philosophy that aims to create balance and harmony, through the flow of clean, positive energy (or “Ch’i”). In the world of design, the principles of Feng Shui can be carefully incorporated into each room’s decor, color scheme, furniture placements, and overall layout. When done properly, your home will truly become your place of serenity!
It shouldn’t come as a surprise, then, for us to point out that Feng Shui is proven to have a positive affect on your mental health. It’s true! So, if you’re transitioning into the upcoming autumn season and looking to make a fresh start in your home?
Add a little Feng Shui into your life! You may be more than a little surprised at how beneficial it is for your overall well-being.
Why is it so good for your mental health? Well, let’s take a look at 4 of the most common reasons!
Less Clutter = Less Stress!
It’s hard to have a peaceful mind when you’re surrounded by such noisy clutter. In this day and age, we’re part of a toxic consumer society. Left and right, we’re constantly being bombarded with the “newest” and “hottest” things to buy. Not participating in this societal trend can leave us with a serious case of FOMO. The result is that we buy, and buy, and buy… until many of us own far more than we actually need.
The major problem with clutter is that it leaves the home feeling claustrophobic. There’s no room for clean, healthy energy to move in and out around the space. This causes stagnant, negative energy to breed in its place.
It’s not a crazy leap to conclude that the less junk you have to deal with, the less stressed out you’ll feel within your living space. There are medical studies that back up this belief, too. One such study – conducted by U.C.L.A back in 2012 – took a look at 32 middle-class families who all dealt with clutter in the home. Believe it or not, ALL of the mothers in these families experienced a drastic increase in their stress hormones when having to deal with their material belongings.
By sorting through your belongings and ridding yourself of any unnecessary items you know you don’t actually need, your home can regain order. Once it feels less chaotic, so will your mind!
A Better Bedroom = A Better Night’s Sleep!
In order to function at our best, it’s recommended that adults get at least 7 to 9 hours’ worth of sleep each night. The sad reality is, most of us don’t get nearly that much. Sleeplessness is a very prevalent problem in today’s modern world, and it’s a direct contributing factor to poor mental health.
While there are countless different factors that can prevent us from catching our Z’s, you may be surprised to discover that the layout of your bedroom can be a culprit, too. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Is the layout of my room symmetrical?
- Are the empty and occupied spaced in my bedroom balanced?
- Is my bed arranged in such a way that I can see the door (and thus have a commanding position over the room as a whole)?
If you’ve answered one or more of these questions with “no”, then there’s your problem right there! Symmetry, equal balance, and a commanding position are all extremely important when it comes to achieving peace and tranquility within your bedroom.
Calming Colors = A Calm Mind!
Your choice of colors is just as critical, too. Certain colors can provoke the wrong emotions and energies, such as red (which is said to incite feelings such as anger). Instead, do some research into colors that specifically evoke positive, calming vibes. Feng Shui design experts recommend either:
- Warm, rich earth and skin tones, or
- Soft, natural colors
On that note, your color schemes should be selected with just as much care throughout the rest of your home, too. Each room corresponds to the five elements: wood, fire, earth, water, and metal. By understanding how to use the Feng Shui bagua map, you can learn how to design each room with its respective element(s) and chromatic strengths in mind.
Doing so will help you maximize each room’s full potential, which will harmonize the flow of positive Ch’i throughout the entire space as a whole. Before you know it, your home will become a beacon of equanimity!
Nature = Nurture!
A home devoid of living, thriving greenery is a home that cuts you off from the outside world. In Feng Shui, one of the most important concepts is the principle of Tao. This nature-based philosophy states that human beings are inherently connected to the world around them, and that we should honor this connection. If you cut yourself off from the planet, you’re isolating yourself from a major, nurturing aspect of your being.
Now, we get it that not everyone subscribes to Taoism. But even if you don’t necessarily believe in the above, there are still plenty of other reasons why incorporating nature into your home is beneficial for your mental health.
For starters, they create fresh oxygen within your living space, which is always a plus! In addition to this, it’s proven that immersing yourself in natural settings can:
- Combat mental fatigue
- Slow down heart rate
- Reduce anxiety
- Lower high blood pressure
- Make you feel less depressed
- Improve memory
- Increase concentration
- Promote higher levels of creativity
- And so much more!
So, don’t be afraid to add a little green to your home! If you’re the kind of person who’s good at taking care of plants (a.k.a. not me), here’s a handy list of 15 plants that are especially good at nurturing your mental health.
If you’re not so good at maintaining plants (a.k.a. me), here are 5 low-maintenance plants instead that can help boost your mood!
