Cheltenham-based Chrissie Steinham on how lighting, candles and putting away laptops after home-working can help you think more clearly, be more productive, argue less with your loved ones and sleep better.
Watch the full chat with Chrissie Steinham below:
Please note, there are a few issues with the audio on this recording but hopefully the main points are clear : )
The state of your home affects the state of your mind
We don’t all act upon it. But most of us know that moving our bodies regularly, getting fresh air, getting good sleep and eating whole foods will probably make us feel better and perform better in life.
But did you know that having a clean, decluttered, ventilated and well-lit home could also be key to your health, wealth and state of mind?
It’s something that Chrissie Steinham discovered to her great relief after suffering from postnatal depression. She was already an interior designer but found that incorporating the principles of feng shui into her home setup gave her mental health a huge boost.
“I started to recognise that design went deeper. Certain rooms might make you feel more active, others make more restless so I was kind of aware of it already,” Steinham told Sport and Life.
“But, essentially, feng shui is about the relationship between you as a person and the environment that you’re living and working in, to influence your behaviour, your mindset, your emotions on a day to day basis.”
Less stuff leads to better thinking
Where should we start then? Well, living in a consumer society, Steinham says stuff can be a problem – and often our entire experience of life can be improved by decluttering.
“Essentially what clutter is is unmade decisions. You sometimes get to the point where you’ve got so much stuff that you just can’t think.
“And that’s why they say tidy desk, tidy mind because it just creates head space and it creates visual space.
“And that just allows your nervous system to settle a little bit. It really does have a massive impact on you.”
Bedrooms are for sleeping not looking at screens
Steinham says paying attention to your bedroom environment is also hugely influential when it comes to your wellbeing – what you have or don’t have in your room has been proven to affect your sleep.
“Sometimes it’s the little tweaks that can have a profound impact on sleep. Have the bed in the most supportive position, avoid having things like a TV in your bedroom.
“Avoid things like working from your bedroom, with your laptop on. We’ve all done it but that’s a stimulus that keeps your brain and your mind active and it’s not conducive to sleep.”
Don’t forget to live from home as well as working
Like a lot of fresh health and wellbeing advice, it feels like understanding feng shui is a vital tool as we try and tackle the challenges of modern life.
For many, the home-working revolution sparked by covid lockdowns has been liberating. But Steinham says it has lead to some struggling to separate their personal and professional lives.
“It’s something I see with my clients who work from home. There’s a boundary issue, especially if you don’t have designated work space.
“A good way of setting those boundaries is to put your laptop away, put it in an area that you can’t see at the end of the day.
“If you’re lucky enough to have your own office, then make sure you close the door at the end of the day.”
Let there be light – and fresh air
Steinham also says another big factor to feeling good is good lighting.
“Light is a form of energy. It charges you. When you go into a room and it’s very dimly lit you’re probably going to feel a little bit depressed.
“Plenty of lighting is really, really important. Making sure that your windows are nice and clean as well and that you get ventilation in your space regularly as particularly in the winter we’re recycling the air.”
Take the edge off of cranky kids
Feng shui concepts can also reduce tension between family members, Steinham suggests.
“When the kids come home from school at night, sometimes they’re a bit crabby. Maybe you’ve had a bad day at work. Lighting a candle will help burn of some of that edgy energy. Some background music.”
Steinham offers in person and remote consultations – though she says if you’re in the Cheltenham area she will come out to you and do a full review of your home and then suggest adaptations to maximise your energy.
Follow Chrissie on Instagram
Find out more at www.fengshuilifestyled.com
