| Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese practice which uses | | | | a strong headboard to protect your Chi while you |
| the laws of Heaven and Earth to help improve one's | | | | sleep, and you should not sleep with your head facing |
| life by receiving positive Chi (or Qi). Chi is a life force | | | | an open window, as this will drain away your Chi. |
| or spiritual energy that is part of every living thing. | | | | Sleeping on the floor is not advisable either, as this |
| In addition, the Chinese Yin and Yang symbol | | | | does not allow Chi to circulate below you. |
| represents the two primal cosmic forces in the | | | | The gap between your mattress and the floor should |
| universe. Yin (the moon) is a cold, receptive, feminine | | | | be free of clutter and, unfortunately for most of us, |
| force, while Yang (the sun) is masculine and is | | | | under-the-bed storage units are not recommended! |
| associated with force, movement and heat. | | | | Apparently they can disturb your sleep and limit the |
| Feng Shui schools teach that objects in your home | | | | ability of the Yin force to re-charge you while you |
| such as furniture should be placed in a certain way to | | | | sleep. In the same way avoid anything placed above |
| achieve harmony with your environment and have a | | | | the bed, such as shelves or wooden beams - but |
| positive effect on your health, wealth and personal | | | | sleeping under a skylight allows your Chi to dissipate |
| relationships. | | | | while you sleep. |
| Arranging your bedroom furniture according to Feng | | | | Mattresses and Feng Shui |
| Shui | | | | Mattresses are believed to absorb Chi, so you should |
| The bedroom is one of the most important | | | | avoid purchasing a second hand mattress in case it |
| considerations when it comes to Feng Shui. We | | | | contains negative energy or belonged to someone |
| spend almost a third of our lives in our bedroom and | | | | who has died. Mattresses need to be replaced |
| it should be an environment that makes us feel safe, | | | | regularly, turned regularly and placed in the sunshine |
| secure and relaxed. Family rooms, kitchens and | | | | for a few hours every few months. When choosing |
| playrooms are active spaces associated with the | | | | a mattress you should consider not only its size, but |
| Yang force, while bedrooms need to be more Yin | | | | also the materials and elements from which it is |
| and relaxing. | | | | made. Beds that contain too much water or metal, |
| Your main bedroom should be situated as far away | | | | for example, can upset the balance of energy in your |
| from the front door as possible to give you a feeling | | | | bedroom and cause problems in your life. |
| of protection, stability and security. If there is an | | | | It makes sense that you will need to choose a |
| adjacent toilet or bathroom, the door to it should be | | | | mattress that fits into the space you have created |
| closed while you are asleep. Any sharp edges such as | | | | for your bed. However, according to Feng Shui you |
| the edges of bedroom furniture should be rounded | | | | should also consider how many people are to sleep |
| off or softened by covering them. Computers, | | | | on the mattress and what they are seeking in life. |
| radios, televisions and even mobile phone chargers | | | | Single people who wish to remain single, for example |
| should be positioned as far away from where you | | | | can choose a small-sized mattress, but if you are |
| sleep as possible to avoid disturbance from electrical | | | | looking for a partner you should opt for something |
| currents. | | | | larger, not just for practical reasons, but in order to |
| The South West section of your bedroom is said to | | | | create the energy necessary to draw another person |
| relate to your relationships, so you should avoid | | | | into your life. Conversely if you are part of a couple, |
| putting your dirty linen basket here! Instead place a | | | | choosing a mattress that is too large for your needs |
| photograph of you and your partner or a symbol of | | | | is thought to create problems in your relationship! |
| your happiness on the wall in this area. You can | | | | A spring mattress with metal coils is best avoided as |
| create a warm, romantic atmosphere in your | | | | the metallic coils are conductive and will increase the |
| bedroom through the use of soft lighting or | | | | electromagnetic field in your bedroom, which can be |
| candlelight. | | | | detrimental in terms of creating positive energy. |
| How you decorate your bedroom is of course down | | | | However, if you choose a pocket-sprung mattress in |
| to personal taste, but there are some Feng Shui | | | | which the coils are wrapped individually, the |
| guidelines on colour. Green is a good choice, as it can | | | | conductive effect will be reduced. Waterbeds are |
| have a calming effect, while blue is relaxing but a little | | | | another option, but in Feng Shui terms these are also |
| too cool. Yellow stimulates the mind, which sounds | | | | not balanced in their elemental qualities, which can |
| good but might also keep you awake at night. Red | | | | lead to energetic disruptions. Water also conducts |
| and pink encourage romance and passion, though an | | | | electricity, which can affect the electromagnetic |
| excess of red can bring too much fire (Yang) into | | | | energy that is already present in the environment. |
| the room. And beware of peach, which is said to | | | | For some people, Feng Shui is the guiding principle by |
| encourage affairs! | | | | which they arrange their home and life, while others |
| Positioning your bed | | | | are more sceptical. Whatever your views on Feng |
| The most important feature of your bedroom is the | | | | Shui, commonsense ideas such as keeping your |
| bed itself. The bed should be placed as far from the | | | | bedroom clutter-free and creating a harmonious |
| door as possible, and certainly not directly opposite, | | | | atmosphere with light and colour will help make your |
| but you should still have a good view of the door | | | | bedroom a relaxing and pleasant environment to |
| from your bed. Make sure the bed is stable, as this is | | | | sleep in. |
| thought to bring stability into your life. The bed needs | | | | |