Feng shui tips for attracting peace and calm

Have you ever walked into a house and immediately felt that there’s a strange heaviness in the air and something about the place is off? Well, that ‘feeling’ is what Feng Shui is about! In fact, according to the principles of Feng Shui, it's a Chinese practice that helps you arrange your home so that energy can flow smoothly.

If your life feels a bit messy now, here are a few simple ways to bring some peace back into your house.Clear the Path to Your DoorIn Feng Shui the front door is called the "mouth of energy." It's how good things and calm vibes enter your life. If your entryway is cluttered with shoes, umbrellas or piles of mail, the energy gets blocked before it even gets inside. Try to keep this area clean. A simple mat, a light and a clean door can make a big difference.

When you walk into an entrance, your brain immediately gets the signal that you are "home" and safe.

Command PositionYour bedroom should be a place. One of the rules is the "command position." This means you should be able to see the door from your bed. You shouldn't be directly in line with it. If you are directly in line with the door, it's like sleeping in a hallway, where your subconscious stays on high alert. Positioning yourself so you can see who is coming but tucked away in a corner helps your nervous system truly relax and fall into a sleep.

Balance the Five ElementsFeng Shui uses five elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. For peace and calm you mostly want to focus on Earth and Wood. Much like "Fire" can make you feel irritable. To balance it out bring in some plants. Use Earth tones like beige, tan or soft greens. These colors make the room feel stable.Fix What Is BrokenA faucet, a door that squeaks every time you open it or a cracked mirror might seem like minor annoyances but they act like "energy leaks."

Every time you hear that squeak or see that crack, a tiny bit of your patience gets chipped away. Fixing these things shows respect for your space and removes those little stressors from your daily life.Let the Air and Light inAir leads to stagnant thoughts. If you haven't opened your windows in days, the energy in the room can start to feel "heavy." Open the curtains. Let the natural light in. Sunlight boosts your energy and fresh air clears out your thoughts.

If a room is too dark it’s hard for peace to find a place to sit.The Magic of WaterIf you have a corner of your house that feels particularly tense, a small water fountain can work wonders. The sound of flowing water is naturally soothing. In Feng Shui moving water also helps keep energy from settling and becoming stale. Just make sure the water is clean.