A Trusted Friend in a Complicated World
Updated Apr. 17, 2024
Boost your health and happiness by maximizing the positive energy in your home. Not sure if these tactics will work? They certainly can't hurt!
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Staying healthy is at the forefront of everyone’s minds these days. Sure, you know that handwashing, disinfecting, and social distancing will help you achieve that goal. But have you been paying enough attention to your emotional health? Stress can harm your mental well-being and potentially weaken your immune system. While that stress probably won’t subside completely as the pandemic continues to rage on, there is something simple you can do that might take the edge off: Maximize the good energy in your home with feng shui.
According to this ancient Chinese philosophy, every object, space, and living thing has life energy called chi, and you can harness this power to give yourself a boost. Feng shui consultant Susan M. Chu describes it this way: “It’s an energetic approach to designing your spaces to maximize, optimize, and support your professional and personal growth.” The better the quality of chi you can get flowing, the healthier and more vibrant it is, which can have a positive effect on your emotional health—and, in turn, your physical health.
Placing multisensory items in the areas of your home where you spend the most time can harmonize the healthy energies of mind, body, and spirit. No need to worry about super specific positioning for some of these; there are benefits to simply having them around. On the flip side, feng shui experts want you to throw out these 14 things right now.
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Thriving green plants are the one thing that’s an absolute must in any space, according to feng shui expert Maureen Calamia, author of Creating Luminous Spaces. “Plants are a way of staying connected to nature while spending time indoors,” she says, adding that they also remind you of nature’s rejuvenating powers. Plus, they offer myriad health benefits by lowering carbon dioxide levels indoors and even potentially reducing the concentration of certain pollutants.
For luck and good fortune, Chu recommends buying a bountiful citrus tree and, for extra abundance, placing it in the southwest corner of your home. Got a brown thumb? Try one of these houseplants that are the easiest to grow. Remember: Only flourishing plants provide good feng shui, not withered or brown ones.
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Chu loves having flowers in the home because “they add a touch of color, sunshine, and happiness into a space.” And they provide a positive multisensory experience: They look pretty and smell great, and both of those things can make us happy. Although you might think of the orchid when you think about feng shui, Calamia has another suggestion: the peony. “Peonies are beautiful and have a wonderful scent,” she says. To get the biggest boost, Calamia recommends placing vases of fresh, cut flowers in the rooms where you spend the most time. Don’t miss these 8 tricks to make your flowers last longer.
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The right light can have a huge effect on your mood and overall well-being. One of the best ways to do that is to let in more natural light—opening shades and curtains whenever possible. As Chu explains, “natural lighting is always recommended over artificial.” Of course, that’s not always possible in every room and at every time of the day, so Calamia suggests getting a Himalayan salt lamp, which she uses in her own home. As the low heat of the lamp’s bulb warms the salt, the lamp releases negative ions into the air. These negative ions clean the air, promote healing, and emit positive feng shui energy in your home.
Overall, make sure you have great lighting where you work or spend most of your time. But, Calamia cautions, the one room to avoid bright, energizing light is in the bedroom, as this space is meant for rest. To that end, keep these 6 colors out of your bedroom, as well.
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Calamia likes the idea of hanging artwork that features a mountain because mountains are earth elements that represent health. This symbol of strength and vitality is best placed in the figurative center of your home, which would be the place everyone congregates, like the family room. Choose one with the energy you want to replicate—for example, a calm picture featuring gentle slopes, instead of one with jarring, jagged peaks.
Chu also notes that artwork is an extension of ourselves, so it’s a good idea to choose images that reflect your desires. For instance, she says, “if you are looking to start a family, choose pictures with kids or groups in them.” Need some help getting those images on your walls? Here are 9 common mistakes to avoid when hanging pictures.
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Herbs quite literally represent the spice of life, and tending to a small, indoor herb garden can bring health and vitality to your kitchen and food preparation, says Calamia. She adds that nourishing your body with healthy nutrients provides “great energy” and emphasizes the point that feng shui is multidimensional. The aromatic, herbaceous smells alone can be beneficial—think calming lavender or uplifting rosemary. Herbs also happen to be some of the easiest things to grow at home.
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Who doesn’t love rainbows? These beautiful colors inspire a sense of awe and youthful vitality—both of which are associated with health and longevity. Calamia recommends hanging a clear, multifaceted feng shui crystal in the window with the most sunlight. At certain times of the day, when the sunlight hits it right, vibrant colors will dance across every surface in the room.
Chu, an expert in crystals, suggests placing a natural citrine or ruby crystal in the southeast corner of your homes for prosperity. And for relationships, try a rose quartz or green aventurine in the southwest corner.
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Calamia says there is a great benefit to using all five senses in feng shui, so don’t forget about sound when you’re optimizing your home’s energy. Research has shown that the sounds of nature—like a breeze moving through the trees or water trickling down a stream—actually help us relax. Try hanging wind chimes to capture the energy of a breeze and represent it in sound. Although metal wind chimes are lovely, bamboo or wood chimes may be more soothing, says Calamia, because of their lower tones.
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Being joyful, lighthearted, and happy all contribute to your well-being. That’s why Calamia recommends placing a laughing Buddha near your front door. The statue welcomes you home with a smile, lifting your energy instantly. Feeling upbeat goes a long way to maintaining good health. FYI, your entryway is one of the things you should declutter every day.
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Clutter can cause energetic blocks that result in stagnation, according to Chu, and Calamia believes that this is what contributes most to poor health. The excess stuff causes a great imbalance, and it contributes to stagnant energy, which makes us feel drained. It can even have a negative impact on our immune systems by making us feel overwhelmed. Plus, paper clutter can collect dust and mold, making the air we breathe unhealthy and junk on the floor is a tripping hazard. Is that enough to convince you to get rid of your clutter? Be ruthless and toss what you don’t need; then use smart storage solutions to organize the rest. One great idea: a storage ottoman, which keeps items accessible but out of sight. Besides physical clutter, a cluttered mind can be harmful, as well.
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The current home-decor trends of light gray, beige, and stark white may be fit for a magazine, but Calamia says they’re missing one key component to great feng shui: vibrant color. So, how can you fix this without redoing your entire space? Painting one wall is one option. Or, for a less permanent solution, bring in color through accent pieces, like colorful throw pillows. According to Chu (who says all colors are good), an intuitive way to add vibrancy is to select the color that speaks to you. Translation: Don’t overthink it—choose what you like! Adding the right accent piece is also one of the simple home decor ideas that can make your home look more expensive.
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Calamia calls mirrors symbolic windows, and she places them in rooms where there isn’t a lot of natural light. If your room is on the darker side, without a lot of windows or organic light, then adding a mirror will brighten up your space. Brighter spaces are uplifting and make us feel better. Since a mirror will amplify what it reflects, Calamia cautions to check the positioning before you hang it to “ensure it isn’t reflecting the trash can or a pile of clutter.” While you’re at it, get rid of these 9 unlucky things you should never keep in your home.
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Quality sleep is an important part of staying healthy. But restorative slumber can be negatively impacted by electromagnetic fields (EMFs), and in fact, concerns persist about possible connections between EMF and adverse health effects. As the number of devices we use regularly continues to grow, it’s not uncommon to be surrounded by large amounts of EMFs—emanating from your television, cell phone, alarm clock, tablet, laptop, and Wi-Fi. Create a healthier sleeping spot by placing a piece or two of black tourmaline next to your bed. “Black tourmaline is thought to mitigate the effects of EMFs,” Calamia says.
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Does spending more time at home have you missing loved ones? If so, Calamia suggests boosting your spirits with a vignette of photos. Select pictures depicting good times and treasured family and friends to help maintain that healthy emotional connection, no matter what’s going on in the world. Calamia suggests placing the photos anywhere except the bedroom. Why? The bedroom is a personal space where you should be able to disconnect, and photos can be intrusive and distracting. Speaking of your boudoir, check out these 13 ways to make your bed 10 times cozier.
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In feng shui, explains Calamia, water—especially flowing water—represents refreshment and vitality, and it attracts chi. Keep this life force flowing with a tabletop fountain. Chu is a fan of these mini fountains because “they promote growth and movement” and enhance the health in your home.
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Originally Published: February 01, 2021
