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?

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 identified the problem to be that I was both wired and tired at the same time – a strange cycle of somewhat opposing feelings.  This deduction made me think about yin and yang, which are described in feng shui as the extreme opposites of each other. 

Yin is considered quiet/cool energy and relates to winter, while yang is more active/hot and is associated with summer. 

It turned out that taking into consideration the possible implications of a yin/yang imbalance brought me right to the heart of the matter. 

Because I am a warm weather person I have a tendency to let cold winter weather lessen the time I spend outdoors, which is exactly what I was doing. 

It was like my body just wanted to tap into the yin-like energy of winter and remain quietly inside, but on the flip side it craved that vital connection to nature and just knew it needed to get out there and feel more alive – hence the wired state.

I decided to go for it and got bundled up preparing myself to spend the day outside. I started by raking leaves and it wasn’t long before a sense of peace kicked in.

Just taking in the sun and filling my lungs with fresh air snapped me right out of my lethargy.  Sound and activity from chirping birds energized me and brought in the liveliness of yang.

Feeling the cold and solid earth beneath me satisfied my need for yin as I kneeled to clear out flower beds.  I was amazed to realize that the very thing I was avoiding (being outside in the cold) ended up to be what grounded and balanced me. 

As I gathered leaves from around my lavender plant, it graciously released that distinctly soothing aroma to instantly calm me.  What a simple and beautiful offering. 

I felt so restored and rejuvenated that when I was done with the leaves I went and took an extended walk on the beach! 

The Taoist philosophers were certainly onto something.  Working hand in hand with the rhythms of nature, feng shui not only teaches how important balanced yin/yang energies are, but also reminds us that the Tao connection – our interaction and exposure to the natural world – is essential for overall health and happiness. 

How blessed we are to be gifted with the healing properties and wonders of nature.

Basically, all things are comprised of chi or energy.  It is the invisible life-force that is present in everything that exists in nature, connecting the yang energy of heaven with the yin energy of earth.  Without it nothing would survive.

Because our five senses help us interpret our environment, chi can also be described as what we see, smell, hear, taste and touch.

Feng shui is about tuning into your environment and learning how to balance and enhance the flow of chi.  A sensorial experience is lacking when there is an imbalance of chi.

According to the Touch Research Institute, pre-term infants that were massaged experienced a 31 to 47% weight gain over newborns that were not receiving massage therapy.  Now, that is a sensorial experience!

Skin is considered our largest sense organ.  Nerve endings in the skin transmit sensations to the brain.  The sensation of touch helps us to experience our space via physical contact.

An instant calm comes to me through the simple action of petting my cat.  Feeling the vibration of her purrs, the softness of her fur, and the heat of her body as she is curled up in my lap brings me such peace.  Tapping into my sense of touch during this interaction brings in a harmonious flow of chi.

Most of us love the pampered feeling of freshly laundered sheets against our bodies, the comfort of that perfect bed pillow or the warmth that the softness of a chenille blanket provides on a cold night. 

Interestingly enough, however, physical contact is not always necessary to experience touch.  We are affected by the mere appearance of certain fabrics such as satin or velvet.  Just by having them in our space, we can experience in our minds how they feel. 

Through the chi of touch, we can also apply the aspects of yin and yang.  A smooth surface represents the metal element and can encourage going within or yin; a course surface represents fire and action and is considered yang.   The key is to learn how to balance out all five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, water) and yin/yang.

Textures can provoke emotions or bring fond memories. Fabrics that invite touching are likely to project the desire to connect on an emotional level.  Apply a little feng shui and consider the messages being delivered by your furnishings. 

Paying more attention to your tactile experiences will help you to create a space that is comforting and nourishing for you!

Today, most children have computers and TVs in their rooms.  Consequently,  they are not getting adequate sleep, and performing at low energy levels equates to not functioning at peak performance in school. 

Stress is considered the most common cause of sleep disturbance.  Filled with anxiety, thousands of people suffer from insomnia.  Either they can’t fall asleep, wake up several times during the night only to have trouble falling back to sleep, or wake up too early in the morning without feeling rested.

Irregular sleeping patterns cause irritability, mood swings, or poor decision-making.  Worse yet, they can lead to severe medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and obesity.

Feng Shui Tips for Relaxation

Bedrooms should be private havens for rest and rejuvenation.  An uncomfortable sleeping environment can cause nighttime distress.  Applying principles of feng shui will help to create a space that supports and nourishes—one that allows you to feel relaxed as soon as you enter the room.

Considered a branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), feng shui is grounded in the premise that our physical environment impacts our physical, emotional and mental health.  According to TCM, insomnia is an imbalance of chi (energy), and yin (female/passive) energy is needed.   See the following tips to create a restful, yin-like space in your bedroom:

•  Add soft and low lighting for a quiet and relaxed atmosphere.

•  Inventory your artwork, selecting pieces that are restful, serene or inspirational.

•  Remove computers, electronics, paperwork, bills and exercise equipment to alleviate subconscious stress.

•  In you must have a TV, keep it in a closed cabinet or cover it with a piece of fabric when sleeping.   Studies indicate that the electromagnetic fields they emit can cause stress on immune systems.

•  Clutter in your space means clutter in your mind!  De-clutter and de-stress.

•  Find a new home for the laundry basket and rid the room of stale chi.

•  For grounding and tranquility, use less stimulating colors like tan, beige, soft green, or aqua (earth/wood elements.)

•  Minimize blacks and dark blues.  An excess of these water element colors can lead to breathing problems.

•  Mirrors are discouraged due to their distracting yang (male/active) energy. 

•  Not having a view of the door can make one feel off guard.  Placing the bed so you can see the door (without being directly in line with it) helps to keep the nervous system calm.

•  Do not place the bed in front of a window.  Chi can dissipate during the night and make you tired.  If you have no choice, be sure to keep blinds/curtains closed when sleeping.

•  Always keep the door of an adjourning bathroom closed.

Engage Your Sense of Smell

Aromatherapy can mitigate the effects of sleeplessness. It is reported that introducing an aroma into a space can alter a mood within ten seconds!  Serving as central nervous system depressants, essential oils can help you to feel calm and relaxed, which makes it easier not only fall asleep but to stay asleep.  Oils to consider include:  Ylang Ylang, Marjoram, Valerian, Lavendar, Clary Sage.

Evening Rituals

Your body needs to know that your bed is for sleeping and the power of a bedtime ritual should not be underestimated.  Create an evening routine of quiet activities such as journal writing, yoga, or meditation.   Playing relaxation music for about an hour before you go to bed lowers the energy of the space and makes it more suitable for sleep.  Avoid late night TV in bed.

Unwind with a cup of  tea.  Chamomile, lavender, lemon balm and passion flower have calming effects.  Valerian is suggested for insomnia, but you may find that the taste is not the most appealing. 

Sleep is a necessary biological function; without it the body experiences stress.   Don’t let un-refreshing sleep affect the quality of your life.  Use feng shui to get in touch with your space and enhance your physical and emotional wellness. 

Sweet dreams…

Other than a choice point in life, however, what exactly is color?  A free online dictionary tells us that color is ‘the appearance of objects (or light sources) described in terms of a person’s perception of their hue and lightness (or brightness) and saturation of objects.’  That is a bit of a mouthful.  More simply put, color is the way our brain interprets the frequency of light.

The way color is perceived and experienced is largely based on our cultural background.  Colors give off vibrations and different people react differently to those vibrations.  They can either give us a boost or drag us down. 

From a feng shui perspective, colors used in our living space affect us physically, emotionally and psychologically.  Feng shui is about how a person interacts with his or her environment.  It teaches us to tune in and learn how to sense the energy of a space.

The balance of yin and yang, which is the concept of interconnected opposites that complement and complete one another, is an important aspect of feng shui.  There are cool colors that represent yin energy (heaven/female/passive) and warm colors that represent yang energy (earth/male/active).  Thru the analysis and use of color, we can achieve the feng shui goal of yin/yang balance in our homes.

Studies indicate that, generally speaking, certain colors bring out particular emotions that affect our bodies, moods and energy levels.  The following information outlines generalized psychological effects and offers suggestions on how to use color.

Red – Yang

Attracts attention and invites action; too much can agitate or anger.  If you need inspiration, bring in some fiery red to get things going.  To spark romance, add touches to a master bedroom.  Be careful not to overdo it, though, since the bedroom is a place for yin energy as we rest and rejuvenate.   Red is very active yang and too much can easily burn out a relationship or cause anxiety.  By choosing subdued shades such as pink, rose, peach or taupe, you will effectively bring in softer, yet romantic energies.

Yellow – Yang

Cheerful and optimistic; imbalanced it can make one feel anxious or tired.  The color of sunlight, it evokes feelings of joy and warmth.  Reportedly, the effect of yellow on the brain results in the release of more serotonin, the feel good hormone.  A soft shade in the kitchen will start the day off with cheerfulness.  Yellow, a milder yang than red, brings in mental energy and clarity.  It represents health and vitality and is effective in a family/living room to stimulate conversation.

White – Yang

Signifies cleanliness and order; however, can be straining on the eye or unfriendly.  Like yellow, white yang energy is good for kitchens where it serves as a perfect pallet to enhance the appeal of food.   Because it represents cleanliness, it works well in bathrooms.  Use in areas where focus and creativity is needed.

Brown/Beige – Yang

Suggests stability; excess can result in resistance to change.  Balanced browns make us feel rooted and grounded.  Taupe, beige or tan shades in main living spaces bring in feelings of safety and security and will encourage family interaction.

Blue – Yin

Stimulates self-exploration and serenity.  Decreases appetite, slows the heartbeat and lowers blood pressure.  Too much blue can be depressing or cause apathy.  An excellent color for a foyer or meditation room.  Due to its tendency to inspire contemplation, it is not recommended for a master bedroom where it might cause alienation in partnerships.  Excellent for kitchen accents when dieting.  Good choice for bathrooms.

Green – Yin

New beginnings; stimulates learning.  Disproportion can lead to distraction.  Green is the ideal way to bring nature into our homes and connect to the outside world.  Representing growth, it is suggested for a home office or child’s bedroom to help with studying.  Like blue, consider green for bathrooms.

Black – Yin

Inspires intrigue; the extreme yin of black adds mystery to a space.  It should be used sparingly, as it can slow down activity or be draining.  A great choice for accent pieces.

Purple – Yin

Spirituality and creativity.  Has a strong vibration and works best in moderation as it can result in pretentiousness or fatigue.  Use in conjunction with red to symbolize wealth.

Personal Choices

The psychological effects noted above may not apply to everyone.  Our response to color is very personal and, therefore, subjective.  It is important that you reflect on your individual responses.  Embrace the power of feng shui and become more aware of your surroundings.  Choose color schemes that support your individual energy and goals, and create a nourishing space that feels balanced, inviting and safe.

“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.