Feng Shui for Real Life

My client, who I’ll call Jenny, was diagnosed with adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and asked if I could recommend any Feng Shui tips. ADHD is characterized by difficulty following directions, remembering information, concentrating, and organizing tasks. I told Jenny that yes, there are many Feng Shui changes around the house that can help both her cope with ADHD.

An estimated 8 million adults and 5 million children suffer from ADHD in the US. The basic Feng Shui principle of eliminating chaos and creating balance is the key aspect of providing a supportive environment for a child or adult with ADHD. It’s important to avoid clutter, create calming spaces to retreat to when the overload strikes, and make sure the energy flows from room to room. When it comes to Feng Shui help for ADHD, “less is best” because when you suffer from ADHD, surrounding yourself with too many things means too much visual stimuli.

If you or your children have been diagnosed with ADHD, here are some Feng Shui suggestions.

Clear Clutter. Clutter can creates chaos, which is especially difficult for people with ADHD who are easily distracted. It’s important to get rid of all the unneeded “stuff” from an adult bedroom, like work-related papers, laundry, or the stack of unread magazine and books. For a child’s bedroom, try to remove as many toys as possible, especially active or stimulating toys. In other rooms, limit the number of knickknacks and collections you display.

Remove Electronics. These days it seems that we are never “unplugged” and our systems are constantly being bombarded with loud, yang energy. For ADHD, it’s essential to create a relaxing bedroom for rest and rejuvenation. Remove the computer, television, cell phone, and electronic devices from the bedroom, especially near the bed. If your cell phone is your only phone or clock, try to keep it as far away from the bed as possible.

Choose Earthy Colors. Avoid using bright or hot color schemes, especially in children’s bedrooms where they can trigger hyperactivity. Instead, choose soothing earthy colors and soft tones that represent the Earth Element to help you feel grounded and stable. The color blue has been shown to lower blood pressure and pulse rate, so consider adding accents in shades of blue.

Pick the Right Art. Choose artwork with serene images, such as a gently flowing river rather than an image of a raging ocean, or nature themes of flowers, gardens, and trees. Limit the number of posters or pictures in a child’s room to cut down on visual distractions. It’s good Feng Shui to remove images that represent fighting, falling, or flying.

Remove the Desk. For adults, avoid placing a desk or any work related items in the bedroom because these interfere with sleep. If a child with ADHD must have a desk in the bedroom, at least locate it away from the bed.

Locate the Bed. Place the head of the bed against a solid wall and where you can see the door without being directly in line with the door. It’s always good Feng Shui to avoid storing anything under the bed so the chi can flow around you while you sleep. If your child’s bed has drawers underneath, store only lightweight things like out of season clothes. Choose a wooden headboard if possible.

Use Aromatherapy. The use of essential oils can naturally reduce the symptoms of ADHD. You can diffuse vetivert, lavender, or cedarwood in your home or workplace as an anxiety preventative, or inhale them when you are feeling overwhelmed.

Thanks to my colleagues at the International Feng Shui Guild for their suggestions for this article.