- Sep 29, 2020
- 3 min read
Treat your bedroom like a sanctuary and see your quality of sleep improve. There are so many amazing Feng Shui tips for this that you can customize for your specific needs. But let’s start with the basics. Here I’ll go over 3 of the most common sense remedies that will apply to everyone regardless of your room layout, Bagua Map, or Personal Trigram (more on those in future posts).
1. Deep Clean
It is so important that we regularly clean our bedrooms to keep our indoor air quality clear. Just from every day living, dust containing mold, bacteria, and allergens gets kicked up into the air we breathe which leads to adverse health outcomes. Studies show that home cleanliness is linked to not only better physical health but better mental health as well. As stress can be a factor in sleep troubles, anything we can do to reduce stress is something to be mindful of. To put a finer point on it: Cleanliness is about more than just appearances, it literally affects your overall health & well being. If you are having trouble sleeping my advice is to start here: Give your bedroom a deep clean. Dust and wipe down all surfaces with a non toxic cleaner (50/50 vinegar & water with some drops of citrus essential oil is my go to). Put freshly cleaned sheets on the bed. Sweep & mop. Bring your area rug outside, shake it out, and let it sit in a sunny spot to disinfect it. Which brings us to part two…
2. Declutter and Get Intentional
The bedroom is for rest and romance. Anything that does not contribute to your sleep and love life (whether with a partner or for your self love) should be removed from the bedroom. Put piles of clothes away with care. Electronics should be kept to an absolute minimum, and if you can remove them entirely, even better. Many people rely on their smartphones for alarm clocks, and if you do, make sure you put your phone on airplane mode while you sleep to reduce EMF exposure. Exercise equipment, large amounts of books, or anything work related should not be in the bedroom. These things can subconsciously lead to a feeling of work yet to be done, which is not conducive to a restful environment. We don’t need those reminders in the bedroom. Even if you have gotten so used to having those things around that you don’t consciously “see” or notice them any more, your subconscious is aware of it and is internalizing those objects’ energy. Another way to think about it is that each space in the home should have a dedicated focus so you can be present and attuned to the intention of each of those spaces while you’re in them. Find homes for all of those unfinished projects and miscellaneous objects in other areas of your home and give yourself more clarity and peace when you lay down in bed.
3. Lower the Lights
Ideally, your light sources should be at or below eye level. This is both a Feng Shui principle and a common interior design principal. When we have overhead lighting or a large light fixture above the bed, something is looming above us which can create a sense of unease. This can oftentimes feel too harsh and spotlight-esque, especially for the bedroom where we want to be encouraging more tranquil vibes. We don’t need the feeling that the eye of Sauron is on us while we are in bed! Bedside table lamps that dim or have low wattage lightbulbs are ideal for a creating a cozy ambiance. Remember how I talked about limiting electronics in the bedroom? Well, another good reason to keep them out is because the light that is given off from our screens is blue light, which studies show keep us more alert, disrupts our circadian rhythms, and effects the quality of our sleep. So, choose bulbs on the warmer end of the spectrum that mimic the look of candlelight or the setting sun. These warmer tones help create an environment that will better lull us into a deeply restorative sleep.