Feng shui expert reveals 10 things you should never do if you want a good night's sleep
The days are getting colder and darker, and the skies are greyer. And after a long year, we're all exhausted.
But as winter edges ever closer, it's also the perfect time to make our homes a sanctuary and ensure we're giving ourselves the best chance of relaxing and catching up on some shut-eye. And what better way to start than perfecting good feng shui where you sleep?
"Our bedroom should be our sanctuary, a safe and nurturing space in which we can restore, recharge and realign our energy," says Priya Sher, feng shui consultant.
"Of course, homeware and furniture decisions are down to the individual, however, working on the principles of feng shui, your home should feel harmonious and soothing throughout," adds Victoria Cedeno, Zinus Sleep & Interiors Expert. "One room where practising feng shui is essential is the bedroom – this helps promote healthy and rich sleeping patterns."
And the best way to get it right is to know what not to do first and foremost. Whether you believe it can make a difference or not, it's worth giving it a try to see what you think (anything to feel more rested!).
The 10 Feng Shui errors in your bedroom:
1. You've ignored the commanding positions
Understanding this is your key to understanding feng shui as a whole.
"The commanding position is often spoken about within feng shui. This is where the layout and positioning of main furnishings are said to impact the room. Not considering this when designing your sleeping space can cause negative energy," explains Cedeno.
"Instead, focus on commanding your space, for example, putting your bed in a position where you can see the entrance but not directly facing it is advised, as this will help you have a more peaceful and undisturbed night’s sleep, and allow for positive energy to flow naturally throughout."
Where is your bed placed?
2. Having a colour scheme that's too bright or dark
While you may love a statement bold colour, or the opposite, you might want to think again about bringing this into the bedroom.
"Select pastel and neutral wall colours which are calming to the eye and mind," says Sher. "When colours are too bright or too dark it can make it difficult to relax because it can cause excessive Yang or excessive Yin energy; if the walls were all a bright red colour that would be too Yang and could cause restlessness and anger. If the wall colours are too dark, such as black, it can cause excessive Yin energy, resulting in low moods and dullness."
3. A cluttered space
If this sounds like you, it could be contributing to your tossing and turning.
"It is difficult to get a good night's sleep when the energy in your room is not fresh. By this, I don’t just mean opening the windows to let fresh air in, which you should do regularly anyway," explains Sher. "Instead, the bedroom should be a clutter-free zone because when clutter accumulates, your energy stagnates and fresh energy can not enter where stagnant energy is stuck.
"Just always remember that energy and memory is attached to everything and if you have negative memories of anything in your bedroom, you should remove it."
And this doesn't just mean shoving clutter under your bed. "Being out of sight and out of mind is absolutely not a recipe for success when it comes to a good night's sleep according to feng shui," points out Cedeno. "Books, shoes, paperwork and general clutter can cause agitation which will draw on feelings of restlessness instead of peaceful sleep. By keeping the space underneath your bed empty you are encouraging the 'chi' (life force) to circulate."
If you don't have another space for these items, the expert suggests investing in storage boxes which are neatly packaged and labelled.
4. Large mirrors opposite or next to your bed
"Mirrors can make the energy too active and Yang [the brightly lit portion] as they amplify everything and when we sleep we want the energy to be relaxed and Yin [the dark area]," says Sher.
Meanwhile, Cedeno acknowledges, "Feng shui practices offer varying perspectives on the role of mirrors in the bedroom. Some suggest avoiding them altogether, while others recommend positioning them away from the bed. This advice is rooted in the notion that mirrors have the power to reflect and intensify both positive and negative energy, potentially interfering with sleep quality."
5. Too many electricals in your space
If you instantly start scrolling on social media, with Netflix blaring on your laptop when you get into bed, you might want to consider the effects on your sleep.
"Reduce electrical appliances in the bedroom as they can create an excess of Yang energy and also cause electromagnetic pollution. Don’t place phones very close to you when you sleep as they can reduce your own energy. Additionally, the blue light from the phone in the night can disrupt your melatonin and interfere with your sleep," urges Sher.
6. Heavy artwork above the head of your bed
"Do not place any heavy artwork above the head of your bed as this can cause pressure and stress on your mind, aggravate headaches as well as be a safety hazard!," says Sher, who also recommends avoiding beams or overhead cupboards above the head of your bed for the same reason.
7. A heavy light fitting or fan above your bed
"Do not place your bed under a heavy light fitting or fan as that can cause a problem in the part of your body that it is hanging above," the feng shui expert adds.
8. Inconsistent lighting
Balance is key when it comes to feng shui. "Because of this, installing inconsistent lighting in your bedroom can really affect your mood and the way you feel which in turn affects your quality of sleep," says Cedeno. "Avoid inconsistent and harsh light and try to find ambient light sources which have a low colour temperature."
9. The head of your bed is against the window
"This can cause a disturbance in your sleep and even cause nightmares, as it can take away your sense of security and safety psychologically. You should always have a wall behind the head of your bed so that you can feel protected and in control of your space," explains Sher.
However, you should be careful it doesn't back onto the toilet in an ensuite. "For those blessed with an ensuite, feng shui practices believe, in order to achieve a good night's sleep, you should avoid placing your headboard and toilet on the same wall as this position is often connected with confusion, headaches and loss of concentration," adds Cedeno.
10. Plant overload
While indoor plants are great for giving our wellbeing a boost overall, Sher urges, "Do not have too many plants in your bedroom as they can congest your air quality – stick to just a few plants in the bedroom and select ones that produce oxygen at night such as orchids and gerberas – these will help you sleep better."
Dozing off already? Let us know in the comments if these tips helped your sleep.
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