The Feng Shui elements are symbolic of the forces at work within the universe and impact our minds, bodies, and our lives. Here is how color influences our mood; how you change the quality of your life with your thoughts; and how focusing on your fingers can release stress.

Influence Our Mood

Your interiors are alive! Spaces have bones, breath, memory, and create a response within us. The Feng Shui elements are symbolic of the forces at work within the universe and impact our minds, bodies, and our lives. Each element represents a component of nature, and each element is represented by a color. Every color has an energy associated with it, and a feeling. Think of expressions that we commonly use like, “she saw red!” or “I feel blue.” These are examples of how colors can express and influence our emotions. You can craft a desired feeling in your space by the color palette you create. Earth is yellow, the color of sunshine, optimism, and clear thinking. Metal is white, symbolizing purity, and the power to transform. Water is black, and represents going within- deep, dark, and quiet. It is like winter. Wood is green, the color of rebirth and growth. Fire is red, symbolizing passion and excitement. The colors we choose to live with affect our mood, our ability to focus, to heal, and even influence the decisions that we make.

Improve Your Quality of Life

Thought awareness is the first step to releasing aches, pains, and emotional distress. What are you thinking and is it a positive or negative thought? There is a simple and effective way to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. It is called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT. This learned modification of your thoughts can help you control and cope with your pain and stress, improving your quality of life. One thing that you can begin today, is to acknowledge a negative thought when you have one and create a positive thought to replace it. Adding an exercise routine will improve your mood and reduce stress- it’s science! Practice relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing and meditation. You may find journaling helpful to chart what situations or thoughts present themselves before you have an episode. If you would like professional guidance, find a therapist who specializes in CBT. We can never have enough positive thinking and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is an effective way to change unhelpful thoughts that create physical and emotional pain.

With Your Fingers

If you are feeling stressed, take a few minutes to focus on your fingers. Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Imagine you are relaxing your fingers from the inside, out. Relax them one by one, and you may notice life energy pulsing or tingling. Let this bring a smile to your face as you acknowledge being alive and being present. Another way to reposition your focus from a stressful situation or thought is to walk a labyrinth with your finger. Tracing a labyrinth with your finger can help you to relax just by concentrating on something other than your source of stress. People have created labyrinths all over the world for 3500 years. Patterns used are circles, spirals, and meanders. This is a right brain activity and enhances creativity and creates a meditative state of mind. Knitting, finger painting, and playing the piano, are also great ways to use your hands to reduce stress. Get creative with your fingers and find an activity that inspires you and brings you calm and joy.