Sarah McAllister from The Feng Shui Agency tells at home readers how the ancient practice of Feng Shui can help your kids (and you!) get a good night's sleep...
Getting a decent night’s kip has become big business; essential oils, hot milk drinks, herbal formulas, eye masks, daylight alarm clock lamps... everyone is selling something to promise you more shut-eye.
But are we overlooking the obvious? Could the Feng Shui layout and design of your bedroom provide the missing link in the range of insomnia cures?
Top 10 Feng Shui Tips for Improved Sleep
1. Avoid cupboard storage over the head
Sounds obvious, but you’d be amazed what some furniture designers will do to create extra storage. This is a mistake as it causes energetic pressure on the head which leads to migraine, not to mention subliminal worry that items might collapse or fall out.
2. Solid wall of protection behind your head
Ensure your bed has a solid wall behind it, preferably not with en suite bathroom sinks the other side as is now the trend.
3. Protect the head of those sleeping in the bed
Ensure you have a solid headboard rather than just a mattress against a wall.
4. Occupy the Power position of the room
Avoid placing bed too close to bedroom door, as this is too unsettled a position because the human traffic creates activity.
5. Occupy the restful positions at rear of the house
Occupy the bedrooms at the back of the property which are usually quieter both from a sound/traffic as well as an energetic perspective.
6. Create a gentle and nurturing atmosphere
Ensure artwork and wallpaper is gentle and harmonious rather than discordant, preferably in soft pastels rather than primary colours which are considered too energising for bedrooms.
7. De-clutter under your bed in order to let the chi circulate
By all means have a few under bed storage boxes but make sure they don’t take up every square inch of space and have neutral items in them like bed linen and nothing with any emotional charge such as photos of ex-partners or deceased children or business bills etc.
8. Keep windows open a little even in winter to allow chi to refresh
Like blood, energy needs to circulate to be healthy. Keeping bedroom windows open allows the chi to refresh. If you can’t open windows due to noise levels then invest in a high quality air filter ioniser.
9. Invest in blackout blinds for total primordial darkness
The pineal gland requires total darkness to be activated – in the Far East Darkness Retreats are encouraged to help people connect with their inner knowing. Blackout material can easily be affixed to curtains or blinds to provide total darkness and blot out that urban streetlamp glow.
10. Avoid having EMF pollution in your bedroom
Remove mobile phones, Wi-Fi, cordless phones or radio alarm clocks around your head area or too close to the bed.
Specialist Feng Shui Help
In some cases self-help is not enough and a professional consultation will be required to find out the possible causes (unsupportive directions, astrology, colours, underground energy) and make recommendations to alleviate the problem. The energy of the house might need balancing in order to make the bedroom feel better, or there could be a problem with geopathic stress causing an unpleasant atmosphere and making it difficult to find deep rest. If you are concerned that the Feng Shui of your home is preventing good quality sleep and want an expert opinion and helpful solutions then contact me.
Sleep Technologies
Mattresses and duvets with tiny little magnets can be very useful for people living in cities where the earth’s natural magnetism is compromised by concrete surfaces everywhere and steel building materials. The human being needs a certain amount of healthy magnetism in order to function properly. For further information on the secrets of a good night’s sleep click here.
My Feng Shui clients have not only reported better sleep and increased energy levels, but also seen a reduction in the nocturnal wanderings of their children!
Sleep Testimonials Children
“Initially, I thought it might just be coincidence, but six weeks on, I have to say that from the day you moved her bed my daughter has slept better and for longer. No more 4am starts! We are really pleased with the results. Thank you!”
- Mother, Holland Park, London
"Thanks for your visit yesterday and I am thrilled to say that Ellie went straight to sleep last night and we didn't hear a peep out of her until 7:30 this morning. Plus there is now space for her to play in her bedroom so she loves it. Hurrah!"
- Mother, Primrose Hill NW3 - three months on “she is still sleeping like a dream!”
"After the consultation, Sarah gave me a written report on the house, including a short list of things I could change straight away, mainly moving desks and beds. We've done most of them and already the atmosphere is much calmer. The biggest difference, though, has been with my son, who had been having trouble sleeping and, like a lot of teenagers, was quite disruptive at home. Sarah found his bed was in the worst possible place for him. Unbelievably, from the very day we changed it he slept better. Sarah then arranged a space clearing for the house and in particular for his room. Even my partner, the biggest sceptic you could come across (who in fact thought I was utterly mad to even think about Feng Shui) feels this has made a difference not just in how well my son sleeps, but in his general humour and confidence. He also concedes that in some indefinable way, the entire house has a warmer, more tranquil atmosphere, which is definitely what we were aiming for.
PS Sarah - difference in Stevie has been quite remarkable actually. He has not had one nocturnal wandering since the bed move and since the space clearing as well is much calmer, more focused at school and so much nicer to have around. He commented the other day how much he likes being in his room now. Next thing to do is change Katie’s room..." [names have been changed to protect client]
About the author
Master Sarah McAllister BA FSSA is an established Feng Shui practitioner of 12 years standing and a teacher of Chue style Feng Shui. She is also founder director of the London based Feng Shui Agency, and is an active member of the International Research Committee of the Chue Foundation, an international non-profit Feng Shui research organisation. Her business clients range from sole traders to FTSE listed multinationals and property developers, and she takes on a wide variety of residential work from studio flats to penthouse suites and new builds.
For details of Sarah’s UK and international consultancy work or courses visit www.fengshuiagency.com, or contact her on Tel: +44 (0)844 848 4099. E-mail sarah@fengshuiagency.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You can follow Sarah’s free tips and news on www.twitter.com/FengShuiAgency or www.facebook.com/fengshuiagency and view her blog at www.fengshuiagency.com/blog.
