Feng Shui for dummies

Feng shui is an ancient Chinese tradition that originates from thousands of years ago. The basic principles of harmonious and balanced positioning of furniture will help the flow of ‘natural rhythms.’ It is believed that a room with good Feng Shui will bring good fortune and health, both beneficial to the average student. Here are a few things that you can do to bring balance to the often-stressful hive that is your student accommodation.

Decluttering

Food is an obvious necessity that all students must spend money on weekly. If you are working on a budget, then try and snap up ‘reduced’ groceries at your local supermarkets. However, the rush to snap According to the tradition your room should be clean and organised to promote positivity and peace of mind. Any unnecessary items and objects should be removed. Keep your doorway clear. Ensure that any dirty laundry is placed in a hamper and not left around the room, basically, get rid of the floordrobe! Organise your room first before purchasing new products – this will reduce the time it takes to improve the flow of good energy. A good tip for decluttering is to try and remove one item a day from your room. This will get you into a pattern that encourages behaviours that improve Feng Shui one odd sock at a time.

Plants

Potted plants are an important part of Feng Shui. It’s said that having plants in a house gives a good flow to chi. However, they should not be used lavishly in the bedroom, so be wary of having them in your dorm because plants can contradict our sleeping patterns. Plants release carbon dioxide at night, which can have an impact on our sleep. A high concentration of plants in a small room is not advisable, but a small plant will be fine in a bedroom. Jade, Areca Palm, and Lucky Bamboo are all said to be favourable plants so get yourself one of those and thank us later for the improved flow to your chi.

Mirrors

Mirrors reflect both good and bad energy, meaning there’s quite a few dos and don’ts that we’ve not got time to get into, but here’s a summary; first, if you do need a mirror in your room, make sure that it does not face the bed. Instead, place a mirror beside a bed or above a desk. In the bathroom, keep the mirror as far away from the toilet as you reasonably can. Place mirrors opposite beautiful views in your, as they multiply the view from different angles. If, however, your view is horrible, put the mirror in front of the window, nothing to do with Feng Shui, just to cover it up. 

Other ideas

• Embracing natural light as which is likely to increase productivity
• Display pictures of family and friends to increase positivity and invoke happy memories
• Keep your laptop and desk as far from your bed as possible. It is important to separate work from your bedroom, even if you are a student living in one room.
• Choose ‘warm’ colours such a red and yellow near your desk to create stimulation, and ‘cool’ colours such as purples and greens near your bed to create relaxation.