According to Wikipedia, the definition of workplace stress is: ‘The harmful physical and emotional response that occurs when there is a poor match between job demands and the capabilities, resources, or needs of the worker.’
 
With added responsibilities many people are wearing several hats, and working 9 to 5 surely seems like a thing of the past. 

Increased hours are needed just to keep up with the pressures of fast paced technology and social media. 

Remote employees often find themselves putting in more time at home than if there were physically in the office.
 
From a feng shui perspective, environmental conditions such as poor air quality, fluorescent or other harsh lighting, noise, and even work stations that do not have an ergonomic set up, all play a huge part in creating stress. 
 
Peace of mind and feelings of safety are just as important at work as they are at home.

A Room with a View

Desk placement is of utmost significance in office feng shui.  The intention is to feel ‘supported’ at your desk by having your back face a wall (rather than a window or open area).

Having exposed spaces behind us as we work can cause distraction or uneasiness, putting us on guard. 

A way to bring in supportive energy and empowerment is to hang a picture of a mountain or landscape behind you.  

If you are in an open cubicle with a path behind your chair, creating an energetic barrier with furniture or plants will give you a better sense of security. 

Reflection from a mirror or shiny object that is strategically placed can prevent others from ‘sneaking’ up on you.

For any folks who work at home, please be sure to separate your work area from your personal space.  You can designate boundaries easily enough with partition screens or plants.  

Reboot your Body 

Night is yin/quiet energy and day is yang/active energy.  Get adequate sleep to bring your body back to its natural balance of yin and yang.  Insomnia, or excessive yang, is an inability to recharge.  It is important to determine how many hours you need to feel restored and productive.      

Mood Lighting 

Reduce the strain of fluorescent glare by adding a task lamp.  Go online for full-spectrum bulbs as they closely mimic natural light. 

Elemental Balance 

Irritability and anger could be an imbalance of the wood element.  Healthy plants help to mitigate these detrimental emotions.  They also clean toxic air. 

Let it Flow

Water in feng shui symbolizes money.  Add a tabletop fountain or beach scene to the entryway of your space (north corner of the bagua). This yin element also helps to offset yang energies found in work spaces.
 
Got (Good) Chi?

We are affected by the energy in all things.  Clutter breeds chaos and stress.  Organize and clear off your desk.  Give yourself breathing room by keeping only what is used daily.  No piles on the floor, please!  Don’t forget about digital de-cluttering.  ’Out with old’ means ‘in with new’…thoughts, energy, opportunities, etc!  

Get Personal 

Create a sense of belonging at work by having things that you own and love.  The view as you look out from your desk is a main focal point.  Add something motivational or conceal what is unsightly.  Blue reduces tension.  Black is calming. Flowers make us happy.  

Get (Tao) Connected  

Go outside daily for small breaks to reconnect with the natural rhythm of nature. Natural light and fresh air alleviates anxiety.

De-stress through Gratitude

Decrease the negative; increase the positive.  Rather than ruminate on the undesirables, come up with two positives for every negative.

Finally, try to maintain a sense of humor.  What better way is there to relieve tension than a good belly laugh?

Research indicates that 20 million people in the U.S. are suffering from some form of depression.

While this is a staggering statistic to digest, it does not sound so far-fetched when you consider the over stimulating world in which we live.

Factor in that most folks spend their working days in front of computer screens under fluorescent lighting with recirculating air, and it is no wonder that lethargy and despondency are so common. 

It’s time to follow nature’s lead and get yourself outside and play.    

In feng shui, each season is associated with an element. Spring brings in wood energy, which represents new beginnings.   Summer corresponds with the fire element.  From fire comes action. 

Natural light and fresh air can make such a difference in your life.  It can help you increase your level of energy and decrease your level of stress. 

Here are some feng shui tips for getting yourself out in nature. 

If you are in a slump and lacking motivation, there is a cure… sunlight. With its yellow color, sunshine evokes feelings of joy and warmth and releases the feel-good hormone serotonin. Nature is handing us an organic healing drug for free – why not get out there and take it?

Next time you go for the car keys stop and ask yourself if walking or bike riding is a viable option. Every bit of outdoor exercise will energize you.

Look for ways to find even the smallest window of alone time. Dawn is excellent for a short meditation, which can serve as a wonderfully grounding way to start your day.

Stay in touch with nature by creating an outdoor seating area. This little retreat can be a patio, porch or corner of your yard. Space permitting, use it for dining out! 

Find a local park and encourage a friend to join you for daily walks. As it becomes routine, you will motivate each other. 

Start a mini garden, even if it is one planter. Studies reveal that flowers trigger happy emotions. Plant and give yourself a be well bouquet. 

Grow your own…herbs. Basil is not just for fresh pesto, it can relieve headaches. Mint refreshes drinks and reduces hunger. Rosemary helps to improve mental clarity. Parsley is more than a garnish; it is also an antioxidant. 

A vegetable garden allows you to eat foods that are chemical-free. You will find yourself spending more time outdoors as you care for them and watch them grow.

If planting isn’t your thing, shop at local farm markets for fresh produce. There are a variety of benefits including a healthier diet consisting of organic/pesticide-free food, the support of local business, and the social interaction /connection with others from your community as you spend time outdoors.

Check out the stars and take a moonlight stroll. 

What about yoga on the beach?

Just think of all the ways you can spend time outside connecting with nature!

Kailua-Kona is a magical land located on the West Coast of The Big Island of Hawaii.

It was my privilege to spend a glorious vacation swimming with wild spinner dolphins and experiencing the stunning corals, fish, turtles, and humpback whales who call this gorgeous island their home.

The instantaneous bonding of love and oneness that I felt deep in my soul as I integrated with pods (groups) of dolphins in the healing waters of Kona is something words cannot describe. 

These very playful and social creatures are pure love, joy, and wisdom. 

Their cohesive behavior is a clear parallel to one of the most important aspects of feng shui – the Tao connection. 

Taoism teaches us that we are all connected.  From a feng shui perspective, who we are is influenced by where we are, and our interaction and relationship with the natural world is crucial for happiness and health. 

I thought it would be fun to tap into the playful and wise dolphin energy and see what they might teach us about feng shui using the bagua.

Considered a mapping tool, the bagua reveals how different areas in our space are connected to specific aspects of our lives.  Hold it so that the bottom sectors, Wisdom, Self, and Helpful People, are aligned with the entry to a room (as if you are facing towards it and about to step in.) 

If you see an area that you would like to enhance, see tips for incorporating corresponding color and elements.

Using the bagua, feng shui tips that dolphins might share! 

You have all that you need.
Self Empowerment
Prosperity and abundance 
Purple, Red, Green, Gold, Wood, Water 

Respect all of nature, yourself and others. Lead by example.
Future
Integrity and honor
Red, Fire, Wood

Share your feelings.  Choose equality, love, kindness. 
Accept each other.
Relationships
Unconditional love
Pink, Red, Earth, Fire

Let’s get along with others.  Think pods–not being at odds.
Community/Family
Interconnectedness
Green, Black, Blue, Wood, Water

Eat what is in your environment. Support local farm markets. Be aware of your breath.
Mind Body Spirit
Health and diet
Yellow, Brown, Orange, Earth, Fire

Play, be flexible; jump for joy…just because. 
Creativity
White, Yellow, Metal, Earth

Teach and protect the young ones.  Meditate for inner peace.
Wisdom
Clarity and faith
Blue, Black, Green, Earth

Be inspired and fearless.  Do what you love. Allow.
Self – The Journey
Self-actualization and grace
Black, Blue, Water, Metal

Be compassionate towards yourself and others. Smile.
Helpful People
Support and selflessness
Silver, Gray, White, Black, Metal, Water

Let’s learn from these intelligent, non-judgmental, and playful beings.  Feel free to email me with any questions:  susan@balanceyoursurroundings.com

Mohala i ka wai ka maka o ka pua.

Unfolded by water are the faces of flowers. Flowers thrive where there is water, as thriving people are found where living conditions are good.  

Hawaiian Saying

In feng shui, the element for this season is water.  With its introspective energy, water is considered yin. 

In a quiet state, we turn inward and nurture ourselves as we prepare for the approaching newness of spring. 

Emotionally, a new year offers a clean slate.  What better time is there for a little life review?  No pressure; no declarations.  Just some suggestions for potentially improving your lifestyle.

Change Your Mind

Negative thinking is very detrimental.  It keeps us stuck in old patterns and behaviors.  Make it a point to really listen to your thoughts.  Remind yourself that each thought is powered by you, and only you can change them to become the person you want to be! 

Change Your Space

The simple act of adding or removing something in a personal space frees up energy, space and time for new things to come in.  Everything has a certain vibrational energy.  Lower energies come from things that are unwanted, unused, broken and unloved.  Releasing what no longer serves you brings in positive energy and a true sense of renewal. 

Change Your Eating

Alter your diet so that it aligns with the season. Warm the body by eating hearty soups, stews, whole grains, root vegetables and squash.  Avoid cold liquids and food.  Being in harmony with the natural world helps us to maintain good health.

Change Your Pace

Follow nature’s lead and slow it down.  Stress wreaks havoc on the immune system.  Get adequate sleep to restore and replenish your body, but be sure to connect with nature by spending time outside in fresh air and sunshine.  Find the balance.

Change Your Routine

Clutter causes stress, potential health issues, de-motivation and lethargy.  Its stale energy prevents us from moving forward in life, making it harder to make necessary changes and accomplish goals.  Eliminate things that are not important.  Releasing stuck energy will get you out of a rut and inspire you to do the things that do matter.

Change Your Need to Control

Loosening the reigns and trusting in the universe empowers us.  The process of letting go brings in clarity and focus.  We can then trust the decisions we make as we choose what and even who we want to live with.   

Change Your Life

Winter is all about reflective yin energy.  Use this opportune time to assess what works in your life – both literally and figuratively.

May you experience peace, balance, excellent health, prosperity and love in 2011!

I enjoy a morning ritual of yoga and when weather permits I take my practice outside to my deck.  I find that connecting to nature immediately upon rising is a nurturing and grounding way for me to start my day.

At the break of dawn one morning, my auditory senses seemed to be more tuned in than usual as I became keenly aware of an amazing orchestra of sounds.

Against the soothing backdrop of water flowing from my fountain, there was the harmonic toning of crickets, the mewing sound of a catbird and the distinct cawing of crows.  Their individual contributions made me realize the impact that sound has on our experiences. 

A goal of feng shui is to engage our senses and become more aware of our environment.  By doing so, we can analyze how the energy in certain spaces make us feel, and incorporate beneficial changes.  

It is said that the sound of our mother’s body is the first sensory experience we have in the womb.  Before it can see or smell, a fetus can hear.  I think this is pretty amazing.

The use of bells and wind chimes is common in feng shui, primarily because their vibrations serve to change energy and purify a space. 

Research indicates that various types of sounds such as the human voice, music, drumming, lapping ocean waves and chirping birds all serve to heal the body.

Conversely, because we absorb the energy of sound, an environment filled with TV violence, loud/irritating noises or negative words can have detrimental effects including a rise in blood pressure, muscle tension and stress.

Consider the emotional impact that sound has on you.  Like most things in life, balance is the key. There are times you need the lively chatter of conversation as you connect and laugh with family and friends.  Other times you may need stillness so you can gather your thoughts or concentrate.  

Technology can be quite distracting and can lead to stress. Turning down the noise in your environment will help to turn down the noise in your mind. 

Check out CDs that use nature as instruments, or open the windows and let the real-time sounds of the natural world bring in a sense of community and calmness to your environment. 

Nature offers free sound therapy – what a shame if it falls on deaf ears.

“It sure been a cold, cold winter
My feet been draggin’ ‘cross the ground
And the fields has all been brown and fallow
And the springtime take a long way around”
~ M. Jagger/K. Richards

In 1943, the American psychologist Abraham Maslow first introduced his theory of personality widely known as Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. The hierarchy consists of five basic needs:

• Biological and Physiological—basic life needs such as oxygen, food, water and sleep
• Safety—protection, security, law and order
• Belonging— family, affection, relationships
• Esteem—self-respect, achievement, status
• Self-Actualization—personal growth, fulfillment

While the hierarchy indicates that our physical survival is the basic need, Maslow’s observation was that a person will not feel the second need until the first one has been satisfied, nor will they fulfill the third level without satisfying the second one.

The ancient science of Feng Shui, which originated in China somewhere between 2,000 and 4,000 years ago, parallels Maslow’s theory in that it firmly supports that our physical environment impacts our physical, emotional and mental health.  Considered to be a major branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), feng shui studies the relationship between people and their habitat.

The human being is biologically wired to respond to his/her environment.  Through the use of our five senses we experience our physical surroundings.  Our senses react by sending messages to our molecules and cells, causing further reaction from our body and mind.  Feng shui investigates how who we are is influenced by where we are.  Using Maslow’s hierarchy as a reference tool, a feng shui practitioner can ascertain where a client‘s breakdown is that might be preventing them from fulfilling their needs or reaching their full potential.

Water:   The Element of Winter
In feng shui the world is defined by the following elements:  water, wood, fire, earth and metal.  Each element has its own characteristics and can be described in terms of season, direction, color and shape.   Water is the element that is associated with winter.  This is the season when animals and nature are in a state of hibernation and people are more reflective.  The direction associated with the water element is north, where the climate is cooler.   It is the time for refuge, rest, acceptance and stillness.

Water, which is represented by the colors of blue and black with flowing or free-form shapes, plays an important role in feng shui.   In fact, shui means water in Chinese.  Water and fire are considered catalyst elements as they initiate the shape and form of the other elements.  Water is essential to life.  Nothing can live without it.  An imbalance of water may lead to feelings of isolation and can also manifest as insomnia or a lack of clarity.  Too much water can make one feel overwhelmed or over-emotional.

Everything in our Universe is composed of yin (female/passive/cool) energy and yang (male/active/warm) energy.  With its introspective energy, water is considered yin.  In the winter months we turn inward and nurture ourselves as we prepare for the approaching newness of spring and the warmth of the sun.

A Holistic View
TCM demonstrates that each element corresponds to major organs within the body and when properly aligned and balanced will augment healthy living.  The corresponding organ for the water element is the kidney.  According to TCM, the kidneys are regarded as the source of all chi within the body.  They conserve our energy so that it can be used to combat stress, to heal and prevent illness.

Because we are influenced by changes in weather, a basic principle of Chinese medicine is that it is beneficial to align our diets so they are in harmony with the seasons.  While the recommendation is to have a balance of warming (yang) and cooling (yin) foods to promote a well-balanced diet, winter’s yin energy makes it an important time to eat certain foods that will nourish and warm the body.

To help satisfy the body’s cravings for warmth, consider adding the following yang foods to your diet:  hearty soups and stews, beef, lamb, chicken, turkey, beans, whole grains, sweet potatoes, squash, mushrooms, leeks, nuts and chocolate.  Another way to increase circulation and provide the body with yang energy during the sluggish winter is to cook with fiery spices such as cayenne and black pepper or garlic and ginger.

Beat the Blues
As a result of rain, snow and longer periods of darkness, many experience feelings of depression during the winter season.  Because there is less light, we experience lower levels of the feel-good hormone serotonin.  Combine this with the all too familiar holiday stress and most folks end up burning themselves out during a season when our bodies are looking for us to rest and conserve energy.   It is no wonder that millions suffer from post holiday blues as they try to transition from yang-like hustle and bustle to yin-like hibernation.

If the winter blahs have you fatigued or depleted of energy, try some aromatherapy.  Smell is the only sense that triggers a purely emotional response.  Ginger, lemon and rosemary stimulate and energize.  Lavender calms and eases stress.

Candles represent yang energy and can also be used to balance water’s yin.  Studies indicate that people respond positively to the aroma of food.  Burning a cinnamon or apple scented candle will evoke feelings of warmth and well-being.  As you welcome a New Year, pine candles can be used as a way to let go of what is old and no longer needed.

On a cold winter night, there is a lot to be said for the soothing and warming effects of a good book with a cup of hot tea or cocoa.  Nurture your biological and physiological needs by allowing yourself to feel safe as you kick back and take refuge in the warmth, shelter and comfort of your home.

To balance the yin of the season, tap into the tao and bring the outside in.  During the day, open the curtains to let in as much light as possible.  Place timers on your lamps so that you don’t come home to a dark house.  Be sure to stay connected with nature by taking short walks.  Take the time to keep your bird feeders full of seed.  The activity and chirping of the birds will add cheerfulness to your environment, as well as bring in some harmonizing yang energy.

In a society where instant gratification is sadly commonplace, tap into water’s yin energy of stillness and patience and just be.  Learn from nature; bulbs lie dormant and rest as they absorb the nutrients that are needed before emerging for another season.   Use this time to re-charge, dream and plan for the changes that you want to make in the approaching spring, where new beginnings abound.  Increase your inner awareness.  Let the water energy help you to go with the flow of life.  Trust in your intuition and in the Universe.