How to Grow Fresh Air

I've always been a fan of incorporating green houseplants into holistic spaces, as feng shui adjustments or just as a a way to brighten and liven up a room. As it turns out, there is actually science behind why we should all be aiming to bring a little nature into our spaces. 

In How to Grow Fresh Air, Dr. B. C. Wolverton goes in depth on how keeping certain plants indoors can help to alleviate some of the toxic materials we bring into our spaces on a regular basis. Wolverton gets pretty scientific, and his book is a fascinating read - I would definitely recommend it! In the meantime, we've cut out the basics for you. 

As we've discussed before, many of the items we bring into our households and workspaces can give off toxic gases, or volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In fact, combined with our own respiratory process and the trend of sealing spaces tightly to conserve energy, these gases have contributed to the fact that indoor air is now one of the top five major health concerns according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

Fortunately, the respiration processes of plants actually absorb and use these toxic chemicals and give off the fresh oxygen we need to survive. Plants use the chemicals that are dangerous to us in their processes of making food, so they pull these gases into their soil ecosystems and out of our way. They also create air flow where there is none, which can help to clean our air as well. In fact, adding plants to our spaces actually mimics the way nature cleans our external air. 

Plants have actually been shown to relieve stress and clean the environment and have a measurable positive effect on indoor spaces and their inhabitants. NASA even created a "biohome", sealed for top energy-efficiency and stocked with houseplants. In comparing this space to a similar home without houseplants, scientists found that the presence of plants significantly reduced VOCs in the atmosphere and symptoms of sick building syndrome in occupants.  

In the winter, plants can even heighten room humidity to combat dry air, which can lead to colds, viruses and more, and they give off certain chemicals that help to reduce the instance of mold spores and bacteria. There is actually a six to eight cubic foot area of space known as a "personal breathing zone," and adding plants within this space can significantly improve the quality of air we breathe in. 

Fifty plants have been studied so far to determine their effects on air quality and indoor spaces, so there is quite a variety of options for welcoming green into your home. We've mentioned some of these before, like the snake plant, the Golden pothos, orchids and more. The list in How to Grow Fresh Air also includes classics like English Ivy, indoor tree options such as the Ficus Alii and the Dwarf Date Palm, flowering plants like Florist's Mum and Wax Begonias and more! You should check out the full list for your space, but here are our top eight choices! 

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Q&A Sunday: Microwaves and Feng Shui

My microwave is in the Abundance/prosperity gua. It cannot be removed. How can I improve the feng shui of the kitchen ? Can you suggest a cure?

Giuliana G., Lille, France

Hi Giuliana

Hello to France! I love that you write in such wonderful and useful questions!

In this case, my sense is that a microwave in your Abundance and wealth area may not necessarily be a feng shui issue. Things like microwaves, waste bins, laundry baskets, etc. have to go somewhere right? It's more about not letting the rubbish or laundry pile up and being conscious of your space. In the case of a microwave, are you keeping it clean and in good repair? Personally, I try to avoid microwaves because of the health risks. I also feel as though it turns the ritual of making life-force-infused food with intention into a quick and thoughtless one-minute zap. But I'm definitely not here to judge, and there is a time and place for them. Either way, I do think it is worth taking a look at the EMFs that microwaves emit. 

The radiation from microwaves isn't necessarily dangerous like other radiation (i.e. from X-rays), but there is a lack of studies regarding long term effect of the low levels of radiation from microwaves. However, microwaves do emit the same sort of EMFs as cell phones and other electronics, so they can cause stress on the body and health problems like headaches, fatigue, nausea, etc., especially in combination with the other EMFs we're exposed to regularly. Anything plugged in creates an EMF.

The best way to avoid negative effects from the microwave is to try not to spend excessive time near it. Avoid standing near the microwave and waiting for your food, and if possible, try to situate the dining table, cooking area, etc. at least 5 feet from the microwave.

Energetically I have used a plug buster (which I unfortunately cannot find online anymore) as well as black tourmaline in my home to mitigate the effects of EMFS. Black tourmaline is one of the most popular healing crystals for dispersing negative energy, and it can be very effective in working against EMFs. The stones have a quality that works to balance the energy of the body through energy conversion, and maintaining this balance can help counteract some of the many sources of stress in everyday lives, including cell phones, electromagnetic smog and other negative energies. We have a black tourmaline set in the Holistic Spaces store, and you can place a crystal between you and the microwave or around your neck.

Of course, it will also be helpful to eliminate other EMFs where possible. The fewer you are exposed to, the better!

by Anjie Cho

Thanks for reading our “Question of the Month”.  We will be answering questions submitted by our readers.  Click here to submit any Feng Shui or Green Design questions!

Feng Shui for Weight Loss

Feng shui can help with a wide range of problems and concerns, but there are some questions that are more popular than others when it comes to feng shui consultations. Along with feng shui for more abundance and feng shui for love, I often get asked how to utilize feng shui in weight loss. Though there is no magic solution, there are a few ways to update your space to encourage shedding a few pounds!

Keep Your Kitchen Tidy

Nancy Guberti, a good friend of mine and nutritionist, recently sent me a study conducted on the effect of messy kitchens on caloric intake. The study showed that when women were asked to wait in a cluttered kitchen and presented with the exact same snack options as those in a neat kitchen (carrots, cookies, crackers), those in the cluttered kitchens consumed more cookies and calories. This makes complete sense in terms of feng shui. When your space is cluttered, it's easy to feel out of control and react by seeking comfort, which people often find in food. Instead, keep your kitchen organized, your countertops clean and everything in its place, and see if you find yourself spending less time snacking!

Declutter Your Closet

Another place clutter tends to build up is in our closets. Many of us tend to hold onto certain pieces of clothing for whatever reason, often because we see them as "weight goals", but in feng shui, keeping these clothes in your space can actually do more harm than good. Holding onto clothes that no longer fit can actually translate as holding onto weight. If you instead let those pieces go, you actually metaphorically let go of some of that weight!

Get Enough Sleep!

This aspect of weight loss tends to be overlooked, but it's very important to get enough sleep if you want to be successful here. Of course, sleep is important anyway, but slacking on it can result in your stress levels rising, which in turn leads to overeating and poor impulse control. It's hard to say no to those annoying cravings if you're exhausted! The first step here is making sure you're getting to bed on time, but there are also feng shui factors that can improve the quality of your sleep, which is just as important as how much time you're in bed. Most importantly, make sure your bed is in the commanding position! The commanding position is one of the most important concepts in feng shui, because sleeping, sitting, eating and cooking out of command can build low levels of stress over long periods of time, and it adds up! If you can't move your bed into the commanding position, use a feng shui mirror adjustment! 

Another way to improve the quality of your sleep is to ensure that you keep electronic devices either out of the room or at least five feet away. Anything that needs to be plugged in gives off EMFs, which can also result in low levels of stress over time in addition to other symptoms like fatigue, headaches, nausea and more! It's a good idea to move books out of your sleeping space as well, if possible, as they can be too active for a bedroom. 

There is no magic feng shui cure for weight loss, but if you are willing to do the mundane and take the time to make your space welcoming and nourishing, you may well see surprising results just from clearing negative energy and practicing self-care!

by Anjie Cho