Welcoming the Air element
At Feel Superb, we want to help inspire you to shape your home into a sanctuary. One filled with happiness, renewal and hope. This topic might be something you unconsciously know already, but writing down your thoughts might just be the clarification you need. Today we will be sharing simple ritual tips to revitalize your home, and bring a little sense of refreshment without advising you to rethink all your decoration or clutter your shelves.
Just like ancient cultures such as the Indigenous knew about the power of natural energies within our environment, our modern world is slowly awakening to the importance of strengthening our connection to the natural world. In simple words, the more our living spaces look and function like nature, the more likely we are to thrive.
There are numerous and simple steps we can take to ensure our day begins calmly and stays connected to the natural world as much as possible.
One of the most powerful ways to revitalize your home is to invite the Air element within your personal space. No worries, nothing “hocus pocus” here!
Across centuries and societies, the connection between nature and human well-being were sacred and celebrated as part of the cultural fabric. Something we seem to have forgotten or maybe ignored for too long. Today we realize how much modern and urban society disconnects us from our potent elixir.
Research reveals that on average most people spend 95% of their time indoors. Either staying inside temperature controlled buildings, cars, and alike. Numerous psychologists and neuroscientists believe that prolonged separation from nature can result in psychological problems such as anxiety, depression and dysfunctional behaviors.
On the other hand, there is well documented evidence that when we interact with nature we tend to experience benefits such as stress reduction, increased well-being, vitality and restored attention and ability to reflect on life problems.
Let’s not deny it, we need nature.
There are many ways to invite the Air element into your home. Open your windows as often as you can. You can also improve the air quality by changing any air filters or placing indoor plants instead of using expensive air purification system.
One of the most direct and efficient ways to revitalize your home is through the wind. Opening your windows every morning will quickly clear any stagnant energy and leave the air cleansed and full of nature spirit.
The good news is we don’t need to do this for hours if it’s freezing outside, 15 to 20 minutes is enough to make a difference.
Another highly effective way to activate the Air element into your home is through the use of sound, also named “acoustic feng shui” for our most curious readers! You see, even though, we don’t associate sound with the air element, sound vibrations does travel through air.
Sounds in our environment affect us deeply. We are constantly surrounded by sound. Some are toxic, others pleasant. Paying attention to noises around us and learning how to draw empowering sounds into our home, while protecting ourselves from the noise pollution, can have a dramatic positive effect in our life.
Spending time listening to birdsong is one of the best antidotes to our stressful modern life according to science. Just like a natural therapy, bird sounds enforce our instinctive ecological identity, giving us a deep sense of connection with our natural habitat, the Earth.
Scientists at the University of Surrey, UK have been studying the “restorative benefits of birdsong”, testing whether it really does improve our mood. They discovered that not only hearing birds helps people recover from stress, birdsong allows us to improve our mental and emotional health, happiness and well-being. So the answer is yes! Birdsong is a natural miracle. If you have the chance to hear them singing, open your windows and invite their music into your home.
Very few things can evoke an emotion or a feeling more powerfully than music. One piece of music can light up your passion while another may give you a deep sense of peace.
Neurologist Oliver Sacks couldn’t say it better. “Music evokes emotion and emotion can bring with it a memory… It brings back the feeling of life when nothing else can”
Music therapy has been considered one of the most effective activities for people with dementia. The great part is, it doesn’t require much to experience music therapy. Just listening to music or even playing an instrument will do the job.
Another great fact is, it works for everybody, dementia or not. Most people are aware of the power that music has on their mood without intentionally knowing how good it is overall for their mental health and well-being.
Research studying the effect of music therapy on anxiety and depression of cancer patients supports the incredible benefits of soft music for people with these conditions.
Whether you like classical, jazz, soft rock, soft pop… it doesn’t matter. Musical preferences are personal and it is just fine. The idea is to choose a piece of music that will evoke your particular state of mind or emotion while at the same time soothe your feelings so that you will find relief.
Most people don’t think much about the ordinary sounds in their home. Nevertheless, this is a very important factor affecting the way we feel about our environment. Some living spaces are under constant urban bombardments, and even though we get used to it, it is a constant drain on our energy. Therefore reducing noise pollution at home is essential for your peace and overall well-being.
Start by soundproofing any gaps at your doors or windows. Add rugs not just because it looks pretty but also because it blocks out and absorb sounds. Hang art, tapestries and curtains. It is also recommended to add plants and trees, indoor and outdoor.
To all minimalist lovers, rooms with minimal possessions will amplify sound. The less you have in your spaces, the more both exterior and interior sound will bounce around. Opt for a lot of throw pillows and cozy blankets and maybe more seating to absorb sounds and discourage noise from reflecting back in the room. A bookshelf filled with books is another pretty arrangement that can help.
Next article is about welcoming the Fire element.
Wishing you to feel superb Xx
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