Does feng shui apply to children’s rooms or is it just an adult thing?” I get this question quite often and despite what many people may think, children are even more sensitive to the energy in a home than adults are.
Most of us know that giving children a lot of sugar or caffeine makes them hyper and that when children are hot and uncomfortable, they become irritable, but we often ignore the effects of environmental energy on children’s behavior and emotional wellbeing.
Feng Shui Affects Children
In feng shui, energetic stimulation, although invisible, has a tangible effect on children’s thoughts, attitude, health and work habits. The same way a remote control emits an invisible signal that causes a television to react, the things in our environment emit invisible signals to which we react.
Your child’s sleeping habits may be an indication that his or her bedroom is energetically uncomfortable. So if you find your son or daughter in bed with you more often than not, follow these guidelines to help your child develop in the most positive way.
Sleeping Position
Sleeping position is important. In feng shui, how your children are positioned in the bedroom is related to how they learn to position themselves in life. The better the position, the more empowered they feel.
• Position the bed as far from the bedroom door as possible, but place it so that the child easily sees the door.
• The headboard is best placed against a solid wall. If it is against a window, make sure the window has drapes, and draw the drapes at night.
• Leave room to walk around each side of the bed (don’t push one side against the wall).
Bunk Beds
Bunk beds are great space savers, but feng shui doesn’t promote using them. The child on the bottom is confined by the energy of the top bed “pressing down” on him or her, which is thought to limit natural expression and expansion in life. Energetically, the child on the top bunk is so far from the ground that stability and security may become issues.
What Are EMFs?
Electromagnetic frequencies, or EMFs, are harsh energies emitted by electronic devices. They can disrupt sleep, so keep your child’s body at least two feet away from computer towers and monitors, televisions and power strips.
Yin and Yang Balance
Bedrooms should be “yin” or quiet. Light, mirrors which reflect light, and aquariums, fountains and electronic buzzing can create “yang” or lively energy in a bedroom, making it harder to sleep peacefully.
Through your child’s eyes
What do your children see every day when they wake up? Look at your children’s room through their eyes and decorate it with comforting items that represent support, unity and security. Some examples are happy family photos and uplifting images.
Clutter
Clutter creates an energetic disruption, and for children who study in their bedroom, it is distracting and hinders focus. Make it easy for your children to clean up after themselves by creating storage space for toys and books.
Color
Use bright colors for play areas, but pastel colors are best for the bedroom. Energizing and bold bright colors, especially red, can create excess energy, making it difficult to fall asleep. Creating a comfortable, supportive bedroom makes for a good night’s rest, which makes for a refreshed, healthy child, who just may grow up to be a happier adult!
Feng shui expert and life guide Alice Inoue offers books, DVDs, workshops and private consultations. For more on Alice, visit www.aliceinspired.com