Have you ever noticed that it’s much easier to work in a clean environment? That your thoughts are somehow clearer and your fingers move just a little faster?
Or on the flip side, do you find yourself twitching with irritation at the site of a crooked painting or wanting to straighten that leaning tower of pizza boxes?
Humans are inexplicably connected with their environment, and changing your environment can help stimulate productivity for the better.
Interestingly, the Chinese belief of Feng Shui centers on the principal that you can absorb energy from your surroundings, and with the right balance of cleanliness and organization, you can create an environment that will not only improve your energy levels, but enhance your mood, increase your mental acuity, and boost your immunity.
What is Qi?
Qi, pronounced “chi,” is the universal energy, or life force, that flows around and through every one of us. Although we can’t see it, we can feel its effects, making it important to maintain a positive flow throughout our lives.
How does Qi influence our lives?
Take a moment to reflect how your environment influences you. When you’re in a massive library, surrounded by ancient books, are you more likely to listen to head-banging music or talk in whispers while pursuing thoughtful study? When you’re attending a favorite sport event, are you more likely to dress in funeral black or wear bold winning colors while screaming your support?
The energy that flows from our environment can be somber or stimulating, and according to belief, when that energy becomes blocked or stuck, it can cause an imbalance with everything in its path. This imbalance can cause feelings of unease, discomfort, and even result in depression, irritability, lethargy, and even difficulty focusing or sleeping. The longer we remain in such an environment, the more you put your health at risk.
On the flip side, if that energy is free to flow throughout the room, qi can invite a positive spirit of confidence, motivation, and good will.
What Blocks Qi?
• Clutter: As any good housewife can testify, clutter is the surest way to turn a happy home into one filled with anger and irritability. Chances are likely, if you’re tripping over a stack of dirty laundry, then your qi is tripping over it too. Qi is can become stuck and stale when a room is congested with needless clutter. This feeling of being cramped or confused can influence the way we work, increasing stress levels and even resulting in poor health.
• Wrong Colors: What we see can influence the way we think, and colors carry powerful signals to the brain. A room with electric orange paint on the wall may make for a vibrant atmosphere, but it can also make it difficult to sleep in. Deep blues and somber grays may produce a calming effect, or it may cause feelings of loneliness and depression. Be aware that colors can change the spirit of a room for good or for bad depending on its use.
• Poorly Arranged Furniture: Although many people mock feng shui as nothing more than excuse to arrange furniture, there is a reasoning behind the method. If you can’t get past the couch in order to get to your bedroom, then you might find it an irritating inconvenience every night when you wish to go to sleep. Like you, qi needs to be able to flow smoothly from one room to the next.
Making a Change for the Better
Interestingly, as we adapt to our environment, we can also change our environment to suit our needs. Feng Shui can help you manipulate the energy in your room to create a positive and uplifting environment. These Feng Shui Tips can help you get started on the path to a healthier life:
1. Pick up your Shoes: A stray sneaker can lead to a stubbed toe.
2. Keep the TV out of the bedroom: the bedroom needs to be a place of peace and relaxation, and the unnatural light from the television is too stimulating to promote a good night’s rest.
3. Put your bed against the wall: A solid wall offers a sense of security and protection, enabling you to go into a deeper and more restful sleep. Similarly, avoid having the bed in direct line with the door – the possibility of an intruder coming keeps sleep light and easily interrupted.
4. Open a Window: Air (and qi) that sits too long in the same room becomes stale and uncomfortable. Cracking open a window invites fresh air to circulate throughout the home.
5. Have several levels of lighting: Whether you have a dimmer switch installed or decide to light a few candles for a romantic evening, having various levels of lighting is important for a healthy home. During the day, be sure to use plenty of natural light to maintain a positive atmosphere. At night, tone it down with bedside lamps.