1/27/09

Fung Shui to reduce stress

When I first got sick I was looking for anything to help me with the pain and fatigue. What I found was a website on Feng Shui. This is an ancient Chinese art of balancing your space to create balance of chi or energy in your space. (Sorry this is going to be long, but important)

What does this all mean in regards to sleep? In your bedroom if the energy is cluttered and over excited we cannot achieve a good and energy-refreshing nights sleep.
Things you need to do to direct the refreshing and renewing energy in your bedroom.

1. Remove all clutter. Remove work, books, magazines, bills, computers, and TV’s, as these are things left undone. In order to rest you need a space that is restful. Anything that makes you think of things that need to be done should be removed from your resting place. Just the thought of things undone can keep you awake. You need to have a stress-free area that will let your mind rest and quiet down to sleep. Check out this site for suggestion to help declutter your life: http://organizedhome.com/content-34.html


2. Electrical equipment will suck the Chi (energy) right out of your room and thus your energy. Remove as many of these things as you can safely. If you must have things they must be kept below your sleeping level. Or blocked from your view by a plant or something soft to absorb the electric current.


3. Keep everything soft and clean. If you have a lot of sharp edges in furniture, soften them. Cover with fabric, a hanging plant, or turn them so the corner is at an angle not pointing at you. Sheets and blankets should be soft to the touch and always clean. Dust and hard edges interfere with good Chi.
4. White noise is very important. A fan is good but doesn't have to blow on you. Soft music works wonders but keep the player lower than the bed.


5. Mirrors should never be facing your bed. If it does remove it, cover it or move it to reflect the window only. Mirrors facing the bed will suck up good Chi, but when facing a window it will bring in new Chi by reflecting the sunshine of a new day.
6. Air circulation if you can't have the window open while you sleep then at least open the curtains everyday and let the sun shine in. Even in the winter try to open the windows at least once a week to clean the air and renew the Chi.


7. Silk plants are fine if you can't grow live ones, but keep them well dusted. Use them to soften corners and give life to dark corners. Live plants can clean the air you breath too.
8. Knick Knack should be kept to a minimum. Only put things in that are relaxing, soothing or have pleasant soothing memories. Less is more and easier to keep clean.


9. Clutter under your bed, in your dresser or in your closet is a big no-no. Chi can't move around you if it can't go under you. If you can see into your closet while in bed move your bed so you can't or keep the closet door closed at all times. This doesn't mean you don't have to clear that closet you still do. Clutter robs Chi and where there is clutter there will be lower Chi.

I know these things are a lot to ask and for some impossible to do. If you need help get a good friend to help. It took me over a yr to change everything in my house. I just took one thing, one room at a time and kept going till it was done. I can tell you from personal experience that this does work. I have found that I sleep better, feel better and have less fog because of this. Not to mention my house is much easier to keep clean.
I also learned a lot when I went to Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy. Here is a list of things that will help you get to sleep at night along with the Feng Shui stuff.


1. No eating before bed. Set a cut off time and keep it. It should be about 2 hours before your bedtime. Food in your stomach will take time to digest, this adds to acid reflux problems.
2. Set up a schedule for daily activities. To figure out a schedule write down things you do in a normal day. List just the big things that you have to do daily. Figure out a basic routine of doing things everyday. Practice different routines until you get one that feels comfortable for you.


3. Plan down time before going to bed. Before you take you sleeping pill or evening medication, you need to start the process of getting ready for bed. Shut the TV, computer off at least an hour before time bedtime. Read, listen to soft music, and meditate. Try to do this the same time every night for a week and see the change in your nights sleep.
 4. Reducing stress is a big factor in getting a good night sleep.
People in our lives can cause stress. Family and friends can be demanding and suck the energy right out of you. After years of counseling, I have learned a few things about reducing the stress in your life caused by other people.


Try very hard not to take on other people’s problems. You can advise, but ultimately you are not responsible to clean up, fix up, or force them into taking responsibility for the choices they made. If you are like me this one is going to be a hard one. Stop yourself and give yourself a reminder that this is something they should do not you.

Every one makes mistakes in their choices in life. Every one! Only that one person must accept the consequences of their mistakes, their choices in life. Letting go of past pain, past hurts and find forgiveness in you. This is the most difficult task of all. Finding peace in you will give you peace in your life. There may never be an answer to the why things happen the way or how they happen they just do. Move on, forgive, and accept. Start today looking at the all the blessing you have been given, write them down, and read them every day.
5. Take one thing, one step at a time. Setting long-term goals is a thing of the past. We get over whelmed trying to get to the goal. Make goals for the day not further. Keep a list of things that need to be done. Do not expect to get them done that day. Do one thing at a time when you can. In no time the list will be done. Don’t add to the list until all project are complete, adding to the list increases stress.


6. Take time for you everyday. That hour before bed, make it your time. Be good to yourself. Look in the mirror, smile, and say I'm ok. I love you is over rated and sometime to hard to accept or expect. Start small it's easier.

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