“Smell is a potent wizard that transports you across thousands of miles and all the years you have lived”  Helen Keller

First thing in the morning I mindfully light an incense stick, almost like a meditative practice. It’s my way of blessing the energy in my home and sending lots of  good vibes out ahead into my day.

The wonderful smell from the floating smoke instantly triggers joyful memories held in every cell of my body.  I feel happy – as I’m transported gently back to the nourishing and smiling energies of Bali.
Yes, my favourite incense at the moment happens to be “Temple Spice” which I always buy in Bali.

Some incenses gives people headaches which I’m guessing is because they are mostly synthetic.

The Temple Spice incense however, is far from artificial.  It’s the “real thing” of the incense world and hand made with Balinese fingers.

The label reads “This incense (dupa) is a blend of flowers, barks, herbs, oils, nuts and spaces, using no synthetics or endangered plants.  Hand made with fair trading and internature principles”.

Introducing Kim purveyor of great incense:

The universe works in wonderful ways and therefore I firstly must give a huge thanks to Christine a facebook friend who found Kim for me.

Kim in her search for the best Japanese incense in the world – not only found it with a 12th generation incense maker – but also started an incense shop in Greville Street, Melbourne (Australia) and along the way discovered other ancient and traditional incense makers around the world.

And yes, Kim does sell the “Temple Spice” incense from Ubud. The great news for you (if you’re an incense lover) Kim is offering a whopping 25% discount to all Rejuvenation Lounge readers.  Yeah Kim, but more on that later.

So, if you are like me and interested in finding good quality incense then I’m sure you’ll love the following interview I had with Kim recently. I was super keen to understand and learn more about incense, particularly the story behind some top of the range incense  that sells for around $40.00.  I can only dream and imagine what beautiful energy – top of the range incense would bring into my home.  Perhaps one day I’ll be able to experience this wonderful Japanese incense.

Five interesting facts about incense:

Question:  Kim, please share some lesser known facts about incense:

Question:  Aren’t all incense basically the same?

Essentially, incense is aromatic, naturally derived material that is burned to release its aroma. Incense is used throughout the world in traditional health care, for religious ceremonies and rituals, for purification, meditation and other spiritual purposes … and also for pure enjoyment. The composition and form of incense varies considerably – just as with coffee, wine and perfume, the quality of the incense depends on the quality of its ingredients and the manufacturing process. Think of the difference between instant coffee and a great single origin prepared by your favourite barista … or the difference between cheap cask wine and a top quality aged shiraz … a market stall ‘just like Chanel’ perfume and the genuine article …

Many of the inexpensive varieties of incense commonly available are made with artificial fillers, chemical binders, and synthetic fragrances. These ingredients may cause irritation and headaches, and the fragrance they produce … well, it’s not always pleasant. Natural incense gives an entirely different experience – less smoke, less likelihood of irritation and a pure fragrance that’s not overpowering.

Question: Apart from a wonderful smell are there any other benefits to burning incense?

Good quality incense has many benefits, apart from the obvious one of not inhaling chemical irritants! Different types of incense are used for different purposes – for example, sandalwood is often used to aid meditation and spiritual connection, frankincense is used for its calming and relaxing qualities, and white sage is used for clearing or cleansing spaces, particularly when people move to a new home. Green tea incense (with a charcoal base) is excellent for eliminating cooking smells, and incense made from lemongrass and citronella (both grasses of the Cymbopogon family) is an excellent insect repellent!

Question:  Kym, could you briefly take us through the process of hand rolled/made incense?

The ingredients – usually sandalwood or other aromatic woods, leaves and flowers – are ground to a fine powder then mixed with binding agents to form a dough. Natural incense is bound with oils, tree gums and bark, and sometimes honey. This dough is rolled around bamboo sticks, then laid out to dry before packaging. There are many variations on this process depending on the country, and region and style of incense, resulting in sticks having different appearances and scent characteristics. For example, in Japan, no bamboo stick is used. The aromatic dough is rolled out or extruded (much like pasta making), then laid on trays to dry for a few weeks. Then of course, there are the other types of incense, including cones, pellets and granulated incense – there are many styles of incense!

Questions:  What is the most expensive incense in your shop and why?

$100 Incense give-away – Yeah!

I twisted Kim’s arm and she has very kindly offered a $100 incense pack to one of my readers who zip over to Mettascents facebook page and “like.” How easy is that.!   Kim will announce the winner on December 12th  so click here for Mettascents facebook page. Not on facebook?  Don’t worry just leave a comment below.

25% discount – exclusive to Rejuvenation Lounge readers:

Kim very kindly is offering a 25% discount for all “on-line” purchases.  Simply use the code:  rejuvenation when placing your on-line order and the discount of 25% will automatically be applied.   Offer closes 20th December.

and no ………. I’m not getting any commission I’m doing it for the love of really, really, good incense.

Click here for  my favourite Balinese incense Temple Spice.

Click here for green tea incense from Baieido of Osaka (it gets rid of animal and unpleasant smells)

Click here for gift sets for Christmas

Take a tour of the store with Kim:

Please click here to take a virtual tour of Kim’s incense store Mettascents in Melbourne, Australia.

Kim’s recommendations for closed up apartments over winter:

Click here and listen to Kim chat about her Japanese charcoal incense which absorb odors.

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Rest and Rejuvenation Retreats, Ubud, Bali, 2012:

“I’ve been offering retreats in Bali now for over 7 years – they are my absolute passion.   It is my deepest intention with the help of the universe to create the most nurturing, restful and restorative 5 days of your life”  Carole Fogarty

I’d love it if you could join me in March, July or September.

Please click here for all the relaxing details.

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“I absolutely love listening to Ananga play the beautiful Udana flute.  Her flute music is one of the most soothing and relaxing sounds on this planet”  Carole Fogarty

Click here to sample the 9 tracks

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“My home is filled with calm, loving, uplifting energy”

It’s important to notice how the energy in the space around you makes you feel.

Does your energy go ‘up” or “down”.  To you feel calm or restless, drained or uplifted or simply a bit weird and not quite right?

You certainly don’t need any special abilities to feel or sense the vibes in a room.  Your body is a clever instrument that is more than capable of tuning into how the atmosphere in a space makes you “feel”.  You simply need to place your awareness on the space and ask “How do I feel in this room”?

If you feel relaxed and supported – Great!

But what if  you feel the “vibe”  is zapping you of energy or a bit on the unsettling side?

For over 20 years I’ve studied and practiced lots of space clearing rituals from many beautiful ancient cultures from around the world.  It’s been my passion for a long, long time. And I still – to this day perform space clearing rituals in peoples homes and work spaces.  The rewards are endless.

Know however, there are little things you can do “daily” or “at the time” of something unpleasant happening to dissolve any unwanted vibes lingering in your personal space.  Perhaps you want to clear an argument (done this many a time with my own boys), illness, residual feelings from watching a scary movie or perhaps boost the vibes in your kitchen before you are about to prepare a meal.   The reasons for shifting/clearing and uplifting energy in your personal space can be endless.

Below are a few very simple ways you can energetically shift how any space, corner, room or even cupboard feels.

Hopefully this post will act as a simple reminder to nurture the atmosphere in your living and work space a little more.

Simple ways to shift the energy in your space:

1.  Light a stick of pure incense:

Yes, the simple act of pausing, lighting your favourite stick of incense, and sending prayers or affirmations out into the space can help fill any room with lots of good vibes.   Most morning you’ll catch me lighting a stick of incense to bless my home and the day ahead.

2.  Clap your hands or ring a bell

If you don’t have a special bell then clapping can often work just as well (by the way a Balinese Priest Bell is my favourite space clearing bell).

Clapping is an absolutely great way to break up any “yucky” energy.  I often clap into the corners, along the walls and then into the centre of a room.  The room always feels different afterwards. The clap must be crisp and clear.  If you find your claps are dull or flat then continue until the sound of your clap shifts to crisp and clear. Flat, dull clapping simply means you are breaking up some stagnant, heavy energy.  Believe me this works.

2.  Sound medicine with OM:

Chanting OM into a room has a profound effect on the energy filling it – not to mention the wonderful flow on effects to the energy channels in your body.

Personally I have always found OM a very healing sound.  Whether I OM to rejuvenate my energies or OM directly into a room –  life just feels better afterwards.

The alternate (which I often do) is to leave a Cd of chanting or OM playing continuously in a room.  Guaranteed, when you come back the energy in the space will feel different.

3.  Draw the infinity symbol:
The infinity symbol looks like a figure 8 on its side.

Clear your mind then trace the figure 8 into the four directions of your room.  I learnt this simple practice years ago from Denise Linn.

I know without a doubt it has a magical effect (much the same as saying OM)  on any room. It’s particularly lovely done into the palm of your hand and around your eyes.

4.  Cleanse  with a sage smudge stick:

For over 20 years I’ve used the purifying power of the smoke from dried white sage leaves – either loose or as a smudge stick.

If you are familiar with Native American Indians and their culture then you will know about sage.  Every Saturday for nearly 6 months I sat in a tippee and was taught North American India ways.  Before we entered the tipee our feet and body was cleansed with the smoke from sage.

Use it to cleanse your shopping, your mattress (very important), your aura, an object, computer, the car or any room, space or cupboard.

5.  Space clearing mist:

There are many flower essence producers around the world  who make essence blends to help release built up negative emotional, mental and physic energies in any environment.

As I’m in Australia, I naturally use Australian Bush Flower Essences space clearing mist.  It can be easily bought from any good health food store on on-line from their web site.

Alternately I’ve had great success with Alaskan flower essences in the past.  ”Calling all angels” and “Guardian” mist sprays have both been fabulous.  Click here to read more about them.

6.  Sprinkle space with rock salt:

Rock salt is used by many cultures in their space clearing rituals.   I find rock salt particularly helpful if the energy is a little more intense or has been there for some time.

Sprinkle the rock salt across the door way, corners and into the centre of the room you feel needs cleansing.  Leave for 24 hours and then vacuum up. I personally think its also a great idea to sprinkle rock salt onto your mattress once or twice a year to cleanse any unpleasant dreams, thoughts or conversations that may be lingering in the energy of your mattress.

I also (from time to time) have a pile of rock salt either side of my front door to help cleanse the energies of everything flowing into my home.

7.  Sacred symbol or images:

Sacred shapes, symbols or images can subtly shift the energy in any space.  Many of my favourite cafes in Ubud, Bali  have sacred geometric shapes like the merkaba (pictured left) hanging from the ceiling.  My kinesologist has a sacred symbol on the ceiling just about my head as you lay on his massage bed.  It helps to enhance the potency of his treatment.

OM of course, is a fabulous sacred symbol that leaves a positive energy in any room.   I personally choose sacred shapes, symbols or images intuitively.  So, go with the flow and trust your gut.

Photo by williamcho’s

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What I’m loving at the moment:

Sarah Wilson, health practitioner, writer and TV presenter quit sugar as an experiment to support the health of her auto-immune disease. She noticed such a huge change to her health and emotions that she wrote an e-book about it. I think its a fabulous idea – although not sure I could go 100% no sugar but it sure is interesting learning about how dangerous and addictive sugar is.

Click here to visit Sarah Wilson.

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I use and love Ananga’s guided meditations and music

Please click here to sample her music:

Researcher Kamal Meattle gives a fabulous talk on Ted TV.  The topic “How to grow fresh air in your home”.  His 15 years of research amazingly reveals that all you need is 3 common indoor plants.

In fact, he is so convinced of his research that he happily suggests you could live in a glass bottle with the top sealed and have plenty of oxygen with only these three common indoor plants.

An added bonus with his research showed that  the money plant is particularly effecient at removing toxins and volatile chemicals.  He calls it the specialist plant.

Awesome don’t you think !  And, yes I did run out and buy a few more money plants for my home after reading this.

Further, studies have shown Kamal Meattle has the healthiest office building in India – and if you spend 10 hours in his building your blood oxygen levels will increase by at least 1%.

Impressive !

Following are what I believe to be the most important facts from Kamal Meattles TED TV presentation.  And, good luck with improving the quality of air in your home or office.

Grow your own fresh air with 3 common plants:

1.  Mother in laws tongue ( bedroom plant) (Converts C02 into oxygen at night)

2.  Areca Palm (living room plant) (removes Co2 and converts it into oxygen)

3.  Money plant (removes formealdhye and other volatile chemicals – the specialist plant)

You can listen to Kamal Meattles talk on TED TV by clicking here.

Maintenace of plants:

Wipe the leaves at least once a week in cleaner air cities.

In Delhi you need to wipe the leaves at least once a day

Take them outdoors every 3 – 4 months

Where do toxins come from in your home:

Everyday exposure is a great new interactive web site that shows you room by room just where toxicity might be.

They have a learning centre and list explaining all about the harmful toxins such as:

Parabens – chemical additives found in your cosmetics, toothpaste, shampoo etc

There’s also a book by Mr Wolverton that might interest you called    How to Grow Fresh Air: 50 House Plants that Purify Your Home or Office.  He’s the guy who conducted the plant studies for NASA.

Thank you to alamodestuff photo

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What I’m reading at the moment:

The China Study by Thomas Campbell - The most comprehensive study of nutrition ever conducted.

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You can also grab your daily rejuvenation tip by clicking here.

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Ananga plays the beautiful Udana flute – music for relaxation

Click here to sample the 9 tracks

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Everything in your bedroom either brings you closer – or takes you further away from a deeper and more peaceful nights sleep. A bedroom filled with beautiful yin (calm) energy will encourage a rejuvenating nights sleep.  On the other hand a bedroom filled with lots of yang (busy) energy will agitate, stimulate or cause you to feel restless.

Bottom line, your bedroom is not a multi purpose room to confuse, drain or stimulate your thinking mind. The essence of your bedroom is to encourage your mind to switch off and body relax.  It should feel,  calm and nurturing the moment you walk through its door.  Does yours ?

By simply paying attention to how your bedroom really feels today – and consciously setting an intention to remove as many yang (stimulating) items, colours, sounds etc. you will without a doubt notice a difference to how you sleep. I have witnessed this first hand so many times back in the days when I taught Feng Shui.

What your bedroom is not:

So, lets be clear.  Your bedroom is not a multi purpose room – with a mish mash of calm (yin) and stimulating (yang) energy.

Your bedroom does not double up as your office. Way too stimulating for your mind at night.

Your bedroom is not a gym or exercise room.

Your bedroom is certainly not a space to hide your clutter (particularly under your bed).  Clutter creates a  very draining and confusing energy to be sleeping in.

Your bedroom is not the place to charge your electrical gadgets, keep a TV or fill with electrical appliances.  In fact there should be absolutely no electrical appliances within arms reach of any part of your body - particularly your head. All electrical gadgets including mobile phones are stimulating. They beep, flash and demand our attention.   Only keep the absolute essential electrical items (e.g lamp) in your bedroom.

A busy, over crowded bedroom is very yang and can fuel a restless nights sleep.

How to get more relaxation into your bedroom:

Basically anything that catches your eye and stops your mind from switching off and relaxing needs to go.  It can be a very personal thing.

• Start by clearing the clutter
• Simplify and relocate excess furniture and nik naks
• Aim for peaceful colours
• Are all your images calming?
• No TV
• Do not sleep near your power box – good research shows it can interfer with your immune system
• Simplify your bedside table – lose the huge pile of books – I know you have them
• No mobile, computer etc.
• Move the work papers and bills
• No exercise equipment

Do I sleep well, yes.  My bedroom is very simple and minimalistic.  I need it, and like it that way.   My bedding is white which I find a very peaceful.

We are all different so its simply a matter of looking at and really feeling the energy in your bedroom and notice what might be contributing to keeping you awake.

So, if you are not sleeping well, start by clearing your clutter, eliminate the yang (stimulants), simplify the room and infuse with calming essential oils such as vetiver and lavender.

In addition I can highly recommend  10 minutes of “legs up the wall” at midnight.  It helps me enormously on those nights when my mind just wont switch off.  You might also like to read a post from my archives “Get out of your head”

Thank you to pedro rebelo for the photo

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You can also grab your daily rejuvenation tip by clicking here

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You might like to try Ananga’s guided meditations and music to help you sleep better.

Click here to sample “Natural Release & Progressive Relaxation

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“I release the past with ease and trust in the process of life” Louise Hay

I know for a fact, when my home feels light and uncomplicated, my thinking is clearer, energy levels improve (always), creativity flows and intuition is strong.  Life simply flows with greater ease – and you’ve gota love that.

If you feel stuck, flat, overwhelmed, indecisive or life is simply not moving in the direction you’d like, there is absolutely no better solution – on this planet – than a healthy dose of clutter clearing.

Believe me, it shifts your life.  It’s without a doubt one of the best therapies in the world – to catapult you out of a rut and shoot your life forward. Or, put another way, get you out of the pot holes and onto the super highway.

Clear out the old and make way for the new:

Clearing clutter simply creates the space for new energy to fill your home, and with that comes new health, new thinking, new beginnings, new opportunity and all sorts of new possibilities.  Not to mention the contentment that flows from living in a fresh, uplifting environment that encourages you to take a deep breath, enjoy life and go with the flow.

So, my instructions to self for the beginning of this year  - simplify, eliminate and go gently.

Remove At Least 20% Stuff From Each Of Your Rooms:

If you are really keen to welcome new possibilities in 2011 then I would enthusiastically suggest removing (at least) 20% of stuff from each and every one of your rooms. This includes the garage and storage spaces off your property.  Sorry about that, but if you own it, you are energetically attached to it.

Sell, give-away or throw out anything (that means anything) that is:

• unloved
• unused
• broken
• expired
• doesn’t fit anymore
• missing parts
• haven’t used in the last 2 years
• it’s someone elses
• associated with unhappy memories
• from old toxic relationships

How To Find Your Cluttering Clearing Groove:

Find a time of day or night where clearing clutter flows easily for you. Mine is the morning, but yours might well be at night when the house is quiet.

If that doesn’t work for you here’s a short list of suggestions and recommendations that might give you the boost you need.  It’s time for your clutter to be afraid – very afraid.

1. Starting is often the trickiest part.  I wrote an article earlier this year Simple solutions when you can’t shift your clutter. You might find it helpful.

2. Make it fun by playing a clutter busting game. Click here for all the details.  A few years back I pretended I was about to move overseas – wow – eliminated and simplified lots of things in my life.

3. Start by removing stuff that really zaps your energy.  Try the energy up, energy down exercise. Stand in front of your hallway cupboard, does your energy go “up” or “down”?     Often, without realizing there can be certain areas and objects in our living space that can subtly deplete us.

4. Start small, start with your kitchen draw.  You can also watch a great one minute clutter tip about your kitchen draws by Peter Walsh click here.

5. Free declutter calender: Whilst I don’t personally use this calender, it may be the perfect clutter reminding tool for you.

6. Buy a book to keep you motivated.  The book I’ve been recommending for well over 10 years now is – Clear Your Clutter by Karen Kingston.

7. Unclutterer is a great blog with loads of ideas for getting organized and simplifying your work and home spaces.

8. Start with sparkling your kitchen sink.  The Fly Lady offers a free 31 day baby step program.

Sometimes its not the clutter:

If a rooms feels stuck or heavy (and there literally is no clutter) it can simply mean the room or space needs re-arranging or a space cleansing.

Changing the layout of a room can be as good as a holiday and great for getting the energy moving and uplifted again.

Click here for how to space clear the energy in your home.

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Feeling exhausted, not sleeping, have an inability to stop and be still and need to “let go” ?

Then click here for Adrenal Fatigue Recovery essence.

“Practice seeking joy in the natural world rather than seeking fulfillment in ownership” Wayne Dyer Living the Tao.

Yes, my focus once again, (as it is couple of times a year)  is to simplify and uncomplicate life.  I believe our souls are craving a life with less stress, less worry and less pressure.

We are realizing owning more stuff does not make us any happier in the long term.  In fact, our stuff can be a burden, suck our time and energy, consume our focus, continue to cost money ( insurance, storage etc) and cause problems for the environment.

Do you and I, really need all the stuff that is filling (or taking over) our personal living space?

Essence of a photo:

Whenever I write an article I always need a picture first that captures the essence of the post I’m about to write.  And to me, this picture is the essence of simplicity, peacefulness and living well with less.  I hope you agree.

Enjoy more and worry less, I say, by living well with less.

If you are in any doubt as to whether your stuff complicates your life, I have compiled (what I think to be) six excellent reasons to get rid of your excess stuff (in addition to clutter) and become more mindful about your future purchases.

1: Your stuff takes up more of your time than you think:

Your stuff can drain your energy. Your stuff can demand your attention.  Your stuff can cause you to worry. Your stuff can cost you time and money.

The less things you have to store, clean, insure, repair and look after, the more time you have to do what you love doing.  Life was not meant to be spent buying and looking after stuff, as well as keeping it safe and protected.

Less stuff equals less things to worry about.  Only keep stuff that you absolutely love or use often.

2: The benefits of a clean simple Zen environment:

• You most definitely feel lighter
• Your mind is clearer, as there is less confusion, over crowding and busyness around you
• It extra easy to keep neat and tidy
• It is much easier to find things
• Saves you loads of time, money and energy in cleaning, cleaning products and dusting
• Less time and money needed on repairs, maintenance and insurance
• You don’t need as much storage space
• With less stuff you can live in a smaller more affordable home
• You enjoy and appreciate what you do have
• You may even prefer better quality stuff now that you have fewer things
• Your living and work environment is a joy to be in.  It does not drain you nor cause you to worry

3: Your stuff has global consequences:

I encourage you to watch this very simple yet informative presentation called The Story of Stuff by Annie Leonard. It will teach you something, it’ll make you laugh, and it just may change the way you look at all the stuff in your life forever.

4: A satisfying lifestyle becomes your priority rather than your stuff:

“A fish in the water that is thirsty needs serious professional counseling”  An ancient proverb

As your focus shifts, you release your attachment to your stuff and a whole new world begins to open up for you.  You delve deeper into the real you, the bigger picture of life.  You explore what really brings you inner peace and happiness.  You now value your time.

5: The law of diminishing returns:

The more you have of something or the more you experience a pleasure, the less you notice and enjoy it over time. The initial rush of enjoyment when buying something new gradually declines with frequent exposure. This is certainly true with children who are overwhelmed with excitement at first, only to find the novelty quickly wears off. Buying more stuff to make you feel better or as quick pick me up does not offer any lasting satisfaction.

6. Conscious consumption:

Switch from mindless or addictive consumption to conscious consumption. The simpler you live the more conscious you become about your spending choices. You value each purchase. You have a greater awareness as to the consumable items environmental impact and effect on sustainable living. You buy wisely with the bigger picture in mind. You now consume wisely and consciously.

More articles I’ve shared before on clutter:

* Six simple things you can do when you can’t shift your clutter:

* 4 fun clutter busting games:

* The energy up, energy down exercise:

* Detox your home and feel brand new:

Useful resources:

Give away your stuff to someone who really needs them.

E-cycled – don’t throw it away, give it away – Australian

Freecycle – changing the world one gift at a time

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Why not subscribe via email or rss feed and get regular updates.

You can also grab a daily rejuvenation tip by clicking here:

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Join me at my next 2011 Rest and Rejuvenation Retreat in Bali.

Click here for all the relaxing details.

“Fresh, invigorating energy fills my life.” Denise Linn

The atmosphere (energy) in churches, temples and cathedrals is continuously being cleansed and blessed with incense, bells, candles, sound, salt, prayer and more.  The result a sacred space that feels safe, peaceful and deeply nurturing.

So, why not practice a simple energy cleansing ritual yourself, (borrowed from the priests and monks), to cleanse the atmosphere in your own personal living space.  Its a fabulous way to remove negative and stale energy that may be lingering from past illness, arguments or upset.

Its all about clearing out the old and making way for the new.    No experience needed – only the intention, a few ingredients/tools and about a half an hour of your time.

Photo by madaboutasia:

I have passionately studied for over 20 years space cleansing ceremonies around the world, from many ancient cultures.   And still to this day, perform energy cleansing rituals on people’s homes (although its not something I advertise – ssssh!).

Of course, energy cleansing rituals can be quite time consuming (mine usually take around 2 hours).  However my intention with this guide, is not to “turn you off” energy cleansing with too many steps and complex tools, but to inspire you  with a very do-able, safe and easy to follow guide.

I trust that you really do notice a change, and a difference in the way your home feels once you have cleansed and blessed the energy in your home.  Your questions and feedback, as always, are most welcome.  Please do let me know how you go.

Clear the clutter (first) for better results:

“I release the past with ease and trust in the process of life” Louise Hay

Before you begin I highly recommend putting a little time aside to sell/give-away or throw out some unloved, unused,  broken, haven’t used in 2 years,  expired or doesn’t fit stuff  from your cupboards, corners and hidden spaces.

Now, if the whole idea of clearing clutter is overwhelming or seems too time consuming, here’s a few articles I’ve written in the past, which may give you the inspiration and kick in the butt you may need to start clearing out some of that old stuck stale energy.   Good luck.

Let go of your emotional clutter

4 effective clutter busting games

Simple solutions when you can’t clear your clutter

Tools and ingredients for energy cleansing:

Ancient cultures include sound and elements from nature to perform their space cleansing rituals.  Choose at least one from each category below to use in your cleansing practice.

1: Sound instrument (bell, Tibetan singing bowl, clap sticks, drums etc.).  I generally use my Balinese Priest bell, clapping (my own hands) and a harmony ball. Sound of course can also include your own voice eg.  Chanting om has a very powerful effect on the energy in any room.

2: Something from the earth to cleanse (e.g. salt, the smoke from white sage, or pine needles or hand made specialized incense).  I use rock salt and white sage always.

3: Holy water (ordinary water that has been infused with sunshine, chanting, holy basil leaves or blessed).  My holy water has received a few hours of sunshine and a few hours listening to chants and mantra’s from my CD player.  Of course you can add flower essences, essential oils or even crystals to infuse the water with a higher energy.

4:  Fire – candles

5:  An infusion of nature (optional) ( flowers, crystals, stones, rice )  Its always a nice touch to add a favourite crystal, stone or flowers to the ritual.

A simple 8 step guide for cleansing the energy in your home:

You will be walking around the inside of your home at least 6 times – moving along each wall of each room – and spending longer in certain spots where you feel the energy is a little heavier or stuck.  Begin and finish at the alter you have set up or alternately your front entrance, whichever feels right for you.

Be as present, and in your body as you can, stay hydrated, remember to breath and above all, trust your intuition. Stop and rest whenever you need to, particularly if your mind starts to wander.  Mindful awareness is the key.

1:  Set your intention:

Have a clear intention as to the reason why you are doing it.   Write it down, then read it back to yourself.  Make sure it feels right for you.

For example -  “I now let go of old stuck energy from my life and home easily and attract new beginnings and opportunity”.

2:  Create a temporary special space (altar):

To make your cleansing ritual extra special, I always love to set a small space aside with all my tools/ingredients.  I cover a small part of a table with a special sarong that I only use for space clearing. I then add a bowl of salt, holy water, sage, bells, harmony ball, candles, fresh flowers and whatever else I may be inspired to add on the day e.g. crystals, space clearing mist, statues of Quan yin, Ganesha or Buddha.

3:  Begin with a prayer of thanks:

It’s always a lovely idea to say a little prayer, affirmation or mantra before you begin.  It adds a dash of specialness to your ritual and acknowledges the start of the cleansing process.  No rules here, do whatever feels right for you.  Its also a great time to light your candle.

4:  Sprinkle your floor with rock salt:

Start in your chosen location (front door or altar) and hold your bowl of rock salt.   Move around your home sprinkling a handful of rock salt across doorways, in corners and anywhere where you feel the energy is heavy.  For example it may be all around a bed due to a illness, in the kitchen due to lots of arguments or along the window sill next to troublesome neighbours.  Leave for 12 hours if you can.

Trust your gut feelings.

5: Clap away  stagnant energy:

Now you will be moving around your home for the second time – clapping continuously.   Clapping is a fabulous way to sense and read the energy in your rooms.

When a clap is crisp, clear and easy to do then it generally indicates the energy is light and flowing.  When a clap is heavy, dull or flat sounding this generally alerts you to the fact there is stagnant/stuck energy.   Stay in these spots for longer, continuing to clap until you feel your clap becomes crisper and clearer.

5:   Use your sound instrument to cleanse even deeper:

Now you will be moving around your home for the third time – this time with your sound instrument.  Bell, singing bowl,  Tibetans bells or tingsha cymbals etc.

Again, linger longer in areas that you feel have a thicker energy.  Repeat any room you feel may need it.

6:   Uplift with a harmony ball / infinity symbol:

This will be the fourth time now you are moving around your home.  This step is not so much about clearing negative energy but infusing a lighter or higher vibration in the atmosphere of your home.

I personally prefer to use a harmony ball which sends a lovely light gentle tinkle into the vibe of a room.   If you don’t have a harmony ball then draw the infinity symbol (figure 8 on its side) into each wall and room of your home.

The infinity symbol is a powerful ancient symbol that can bring balance and harmony back into a space when repeated.  You might be surprised what a difference infusing your rooms with the ancient symbol has on the atmosphere.

7:  Uplift with holy water

On your fifth circle of your home, flick or spray your holy water into the centre space of each room to infuse a lovely healing energy.  Flick or spray into the corners if you feel they need it – they generally do.

8:  Uplift with prayer or mantra

This will be your sixth and last time you circle the energy of your home.  You simply walk into each room and offer a prayer, affirmation or mantra.    Don’t rush, be calm and mindfully repeat your mantra to each room.  Finish with your own prayer of thanks.

Extra tips for success:

1: Clear as much clutter as you can beforehand.

2: Only perform an energy cleansing ritual when your energies are strong, your thoughts are clear and preferably there is no-one else in the house.

3: Pay close attention to the corners – they are well known spots to hold stuck, dead or heavy energy.

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“Remember tomorrow, recycle today”

Creating a chemical and toxin free home environment is very important to me.   Each year I look at new ways I can improve the quality of air in my home and reduce my families exposure to hidden chemicals and toxins.  After 15 years, its still a work in progress but the small steps I take each year means my environment is getting greener and healthier for my family.

Photo by elana’s pantry:

Eliminate all things plastic from your kitchen:

My big focus last year was to eliminate as much plastic from my home as possible with particular care given to the kitchen.  I’m pleased to report after 12 months, plastic chopping board gone, bamboo chopping board in.   Plastic storage containers gone, glass storage containers in.  Plastic cooking utensils gone, stainless steel and bamboo in.  Plastic kettle gone, stainless steel kettle in. Plastic mixing bowls gone, stainless mixing bowls in.  Plastic coat hangers gone, wooden coat hangers in.  Plastic pegs gone, wooden pegs in.  And so my list goes on.

Go with kinder cleaning products:

This year my focus is to go even greener with my cleaning products.  Homemade if I can.  Haven’t got time for complicated recipes or hard to find ingredients so I’m looking for easy and inexpensive.   For years now I’ve been using my favourite all purpose bench spray (recipe shared below) but thought it was about time I extend my range.  So, I borrowed a few green lifestyle books from the library, both of which I can highly recommend:

Gorgeously Green: 8 Simple Steps to an Earth-Friendly Life by Sophie Uliano:

Easy Green Living: The Ultimate Guide to Simple, Eco-Friendly Choices by Renee Loux

In fact Sophie Uliano has a wonderful you tube station and shares 5 simple uses for common inexpensive household products.  There’s topics like 5 simple uses for white vinegar, and one of my absolute favourite 5 excellent uses for aloe vera juice.

5 kind green cleaning recipes:

Here’s five clean green cleaning recipes that I have already started using this year (with the exception of the all purpose spray).  Of course I hope to add more as the year progresses – small steps at a time.

I hope these very simple recipes inspire you to make at least one little green change to your cleaning habits this year.

1:   Wash your toothbrush with white vinegar:

Toothbrushes can easily breed germs particularly when they are never really dry out totally.  Soak your toothbrush at least once a week in straight distilled white vinegar.  Vinegar of course kills most moulds, germs and bacteria.  I soak my for the whole day.

If possible put your toothbrush outside regularly in the sun to completely dry out.  The sun also helps to kill bacteria.

You can also clean your toothbrushes by adding a few drops of grape seed extract to half a cup of water.  Leave for at least 30 minutes.

2:   Clean your fruit and vegetables with grape seed extract:

Water alone will not wash off all pesticides, chemicals and whatever else your fruit and veg may have been exposed too.

Grape seed extract is ideal solution that has many benefits.  It is known to fight many virus, eliminate parasites, and remove pesticides and bacteria.

Wash your fruit and vegetables in the sink add a few drops of grape seed extract along with a splash of vinegar and give everything a good wash.

3:  All purpose spray:

Fill a water spray bottle with half water and half vinegar.

Add 4 or 5 drops of lemon and eucalyptus essential oil.

Lemon and eucalyptus essential oils are naturally antiviral, antibacterial and anti-fungal. It leaves the walls, benches, floors and surfaces smelling great.  And, vinegar of course is great for zapping germs and bacteria.

4: Remove smells from carpet:

Baking soda/bi-carb soda is a fabulous all purpose, non toxic cleaner.  It can remove stains, used as a mild scourer for pots and sinks, a deodorizer for the fridge, down drains and on the carpet.

I simply sprinkle baking soda on the area of carpet that smells and leave for at least 15 minutes before vacuuming up.  I recently used baking soda to rid the carpet of vomit smell and it worked immediately.   I was impressed.

5: Soda fizz toilet scrub:

As I have 3 boys having a clean but more importantly nice smelling toilet is always a challenge.  I simply refuse to buy commercial toilet cleaning products as their fumes literally make me feel ill.

The following recipe I discovered in Renee Loux’s book  Easy Green Living. Enjoy.

1 tablespoon of castile liquid soap

1/3 cup baking soda

1/3 cup distilled white vinegar

8 drops of essentials oils (lavender or rosemary)

Squirt the soap into the bowl, dowse with baking soda, then pour in the vinegar and essentials oils.  Let it fizz and sizzle for 3 minutes, then scrub and flush.

In Australia I currently buy Melrose castile liquid soap, 15 years prior I was buying Dr. Bonners which is sold world wide.  Both are excellent, Melrose is just a little cheaper for me and also made locally.

For a quick toilet fix, pour one cup of vinegar into the toilet bowl and leave for 15 minutes before flushing. Vinegar is a great deodorizer. Smells are instantly gone.

The only bought air freshner I have used for toilets is Orange Power. Not sure if it is sold elsewhere in the world but its certainly sold in all supermarkets here in Australia.

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There is nothing helpful nor healthy about clutter.  Clutter is restrictive and heavy.  It is well known for effecting one or many areas of your life – day in day out.

The burden of clutter becomes screamingly obvious when you physically sell, give away or throw it out.  You then realize just how emotionally or physically draining and life interfering all your clutter has been.

Photo by bonbongirl:

The flip side of course – clearing clutter is one of the greatest ways to boost your energy, get yourself out of a rut, feel lighter, improve your health, remove obstacles and create space for the new to arrive.  Clearing clutter is a proven therapy for creating change in your life.  Now is always the perfect time for a focused clutter busting session.

Simplify your living space and feel the difference:

To help reveal the many sneaky disguises of clutter I have shared with you 10 common forms of emotional clutter that may be lurking unknowingly in your home.  Some will speak loudly to you whilst others will not.  Some will be a total surprise and others will just act as a reminder.  Either way they are intended to give you an extra nudge in supporting you release stuck, thick heavy energy lingering unhelpfully in your home or office.

Start simply with one kitchen draw or your hallway cupboard.  If you find clearing clutter a burden then make it a game,  pretend you are about to move overseas (I use this method often), simply repeat a mantra  “I am happy to let go of my clutter sooner, rather than later” to find your momentum or gather more inspiration by clicking here.

Remember clutter is anything unwanted, unloved, broken, unused, doesn’t work, expired or doesn’t fit.  It is both healthy and helpful to regularly simplify your work and living space by clearing clutter.

The 10 most common types of emotional clutter:

1. Emotional guilt clutter:
Presents and gifts hiding around your house that are not lot loved nor used can be classified as clutter.   You simply feel obliged to keep them.  If you threw them out you would feel guilty.

Shift your thinking to “conscious sharing” or “re-gifting”. Start this year by “re-giving” your unwanted, unloved  gifts to those who really would value and appreciate them and release the emotional guilt energy from your home once and for all.

2. Fear of  “lack” clutter:
You keep all kinds of stuff just in case.  Just in case you might need it some day,  just in case you couldn’t afford to buy another one in the future, just in case you might read it some time soon, just in case you lose weight or just in case for no particular reason. The fact that you haven’t used it in 2, 3 or 5 years generally means its once useful purpose has expired.

To create flow in your life things must be constantly be coming in and going out.   You must let go when no longer needed and receive when necessary.  Once you block stuff going out of your life ( by holding onto your clutter with scarcity and fear of lack)  you stop the flow of abundance.

3. Unhappy relationship clutter:
Keeping stuff from past unhappy relationships keeps a part of you tied to that relationship and tied to the past.

There is absolutely nothing healthy or advantageous from hanging onto memorabilia or gifts from a past unhappy relationship.  Be strong, be honest and ask yourself, what is the benefit for holding onto these things.

If in doubt as to your attachment and the draining effect then try the “energy up, energy down” exercise.

4. Depression clutter:
People with depression tend to have a lot of things stored on the floor. Stuff on the ground pulls your energies down and encourages you to withdraw from the world emotionally.

If your floor surfaces are covered with lots of stuff make an effort each day to start moving things up from off the floor. I guarantee it won’t be long until you start noticing a difference in your moods and how your home feels.

5. Addiction clutter:
Compulsive buying for the sake of it and addicted to sales and bargains without any thought simply adds to the congestion and confusion already filling your home and life.

Take an honest look at your stuff and see if you have any addiction clutter floating around.  Better still never go shopping without a list, consciously choose what you intend to bring into your home and for every new item purchased throw out at least two.  Keep the energy flowing.

6. Need to impress clutter:
You feel your sense of self worth is reflected by the appearance (or value) of the stuff in your living space. You generally don’t like many of your possessions but have them because they are the latest trend, most impressive or even most expensive.

Filling your home stuff to impress your ego or others, simply means you are out of alignment with your life and the energy in your home.  This can be as obvious as a bookcase full of books that you never look at or even care about.  It simply gives the impression you are well read and knowledgeable.

7. Unhappiness clutter:
Buying stuff to make you feel happy again is a quick fix solution. It does not bring deep long lasting satisfaction to your life and the item you bought only brings happiness momentarily. Unhappiness clutter can then turn into guilt clutter when you realize a few days later you don’t really need it and feel guilty for buying it.

8. Emotional hiding behind your clutter:
Overfilling your rooms, cupboards and home with stuff is often used to hide from the outside world or your true self.   It keeps the attention away from you and focused more on the hundreds of nick knacks you have everywhere.

9. Denial clutter:
If you are scared of change then you will have denial clutter.  You have a sense that your world may fall apart if you start removing serious amounts of clutter from your home.  You may be consistent in throwing out surface clutter but when it comes to a serious clutter busting session to invite wonderful change you consistently tell yourself this item or that possession is not clutter.

Do you really need all those plates and salad bowls in your kitchen or clothes in your wardrobe?

10. Other peoples  clutter:
When you look after stuff for other people get clear with how long you are minding it for.  Short term is generally fine as you are being helpful.  If however their stuff turns into annoyance or frustration then your act of kindness has evolved into energy draining clutter that’s not even yours.  Your friends or family need to find other arrangements or put it in storage.

More articles I’ve shared before on clutter:

* Six simple things you can do when you can’t shift your clutter:

* 6 excellent reasons to uncomplicate your life:

* 4 fun clutter busting games:

* The energy up, energy down exercise:

* Detox your home and feel brand new:

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Why not subscribe via email or rss feed and get free updates.

Or grab regular rejuvenation tips on facebook.

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I use and love Ananga’s guided meditations and music

Please click here to download:

“My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.” His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Whenever I see prayer flags they seem to instantly inspire me to act more peacefully.   They remind me of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the colourful Tibetan monks.  There is something magical and quite calming about their very presence.

Prayer flags are an important part of the Tibetan culture.  Each  coloured flag is infused with special mantra’s, sacred symbols and words that are believed to use the energy of the wind to send blessings in the breeze. Lung-ta is the Tibetan name given to a set of prayer flags that fly in a horizontal line.

Photo by hatter10_6

The wind horse is probably the most common ancient symbol you’ll find on prayer flags.  It is said to represent good fortune.  The higher you hang your wind horse prayer flags the more good fortune is believed to come your way. 

Now, in the western world it is not uncommon to find Tibetan prayer flags hanging across entrances, in front yards, back yards and even inside homes.   I love them and happen to think Tibetan Prayer Flags are a perfect way to bless your home.

The meaning of the colours:

The most common of prayer flags today are made of five colours blue, white, red, green and yellow.  Each representing the five elements – blue for sky, white for clouds, red for fire, green for water (or wood) and yellow earth.   Monks believe that the blue flag, which always starts the set of five colours, should be hung at he highest point as it symbolizes the sky.

In case you didn’t know green is considered an auspicious colour for the Dalai Lama which has been determined by his Tibetan astrology.  In the book Tibetan Prayer Flags it explains that green flags would be raised on a Wednesday to coincide with his lucky astrological day.

Cleanse your prayer flags:

Zamling ji sang is the name of a Tibetan smoke ritual which uses the smoke of burnt offerings to clear obstacles and heal the environment.  A Tibetan monk would chant a mantra and ring his bell as the auspicious smoke floats into the air.

In Tibet juniper bushes are considered a sacred plant.   The smoke from this plant releases special energies that purify and cleanse newly hung prayer flags and the surrounding area.

Whilst I don’t have a juniper bush handy,  I do use a sage smudge stick or herbs on a disc of charcoal to create my own little sacred smoke ritual when hanging new prayer flags.   I also add a few rounds of  “om” to make it extra special.

Best location for your prayer flags:

In Tibet they can be seen on mountain tops, on the eaves of homes, around temples, at high passes, scared locations, even across rivers and bridges.  They are hung for all in all sorts of locations for all sorts of reasons; the arrival of lama, to bless a home, sacred site, protection against earthquakes and send blessings in the breeze.

Many of my friends use them near their front entrance but really the choice is yours.   You might choose to erect them in an area of your garden that seems flat or lacking in some way to bring blessings and new energy to that location.  I’ve even heard of a woman using the energy of the wind and prayer flags to scatter her husbands ashes.

Best time to hang your prayer flags:

The early hours of the morning, when the energy of the day is still calm and pure, is considered very auspicious to hang your prayer flags.

According to the Tibetan calendar there are certain days which are considered inauspicious (Bhaden days) for hanging your prayer flags.  Over the next few months they are December 20th 2009,  January 1st and 28th 2010 and February 8th 2010.

A wonderful gift idea – Send your blessings on the breeze:

You might also be interested in a wonderful book I bought about 5 or 6 years ago called  Tibetan Prayer Flags: Send Your Blessings on the Breeze.   It also comes with a set of 15 wind horse prayer flags.

It is written by Diane Barker who has traveled many times to Tibet and was lucky enough  to have  Dru-gu Choegyal Rinpoche as a consultant on this book.  Its a small beautiful book that’s easy to read, very informative with many amazing pictures, and a set of prayer flags.    A wonderful gift idea.
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What I’m loving at the moment:

Sarah Wilson, health practitioner, writer and TV presenter quit sugar as an experiment to support the health of her auto-immune disease. She noticed such a huge change to her health and emotions that she wrote an e-book about it. I think its a fabulous idea – although not sure I could go 100% no sugar but it sure is interesting learning about how dangerous and addictive sugar is.

Click here to visit Sarah Wilson.

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“Dab the essential oil vetiver onto the souls of your feet before bed, to help calm and ground you”

Airborne virus and bacteria enter the body through the nose and mouth usually via the hands, but also breathing.  By dabbing your hands, nose and around the mouth with a few drops of essential oil you are creating a fabulous natural barrier to further boost your bodies natural defense system.

Photo by calypso:

In addition (or as an alternate) you can use an oil burner as an effective way to fill the air in your home with lots of anti-bacterial, anti-viral and antiseptic properties from the most suitable therapeutic and medicinal essential oils.  As winter is coming up in America (and many of my readers are from America)  I felt it perfect timing to share with you some fabulous information on essentials oils that I have recently been reading.

It’s worth a quick mention that I am currently drawn to clove, lemon and cinnamon essential oils – even hand made cinnamon incense.   I’m trusting my gut feelings with the oils I feel drawn too and have been enjoying infusing my home with their wonderful aromas.  So, if you are in doubt as to which oils to use, trust your gut feelings.

9 Essential Oils That Boost Your Protection From The Flu:

1 – Clove oil:
Clove inhibits the growth of oral pathogens. The health benefits of clove oil can be attributed to its antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, aphrodisiac and stimulating properties.  It is useful for cough, asthma, headache and stress.

2 – Lemon oil:

Lemon oil vaporized or applied to the mouth and nose can impact meningocuss, typhoid bacilli staphylococcus aureus and stretococuss pneumoniae within three hours. The therapeutic properties of lemon oil are antimicrobial, antiseptic, carminative, diaphoretic, tonic, anti-rheumatic.

3 – Thyme oil:

In traditional aromatic medicine thyme has been used to fight against bacterial, viral and fungal infections especially in the respiratory tract. Thyme is a tonic for the nervous system and is good for physical and mental exhaustion (jetlag), relieving tension (fear of flying), anxiety and insomnia.  Thyme lifts the spirits.  The therapeutic properties of thyme oil are anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, carminative, expectorant, tonic, hypertensive.

4 – Pine oil.

Pine oil is useful to relieve mental and physical fatigue.  It is cleansing and invigorating and makes an excellent vapour therapy to kill air born germs that enter via the nose and throat. It can be used for cuts, bites, muscle aches and pains.  Coughs, bronchitis, catarrh, colds and flu.  It eases breathlessness and sinusitis. The therapeutic properties of Pine Oil are restorative, anti-neuralgic, antiseptic, antiviral, antibacterial, deodorant, expectorant.

5 – Lavender oil.

The aroma is settling, soothing and helps promote sleep.  Lavender is perfect for stress, crisis, cold’s and flu.  It is known for its spirit lifting abilities. The therapeutic properties of Lavender oil are antiseptic, analgesic, anti depressant, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, bactericide, decongestant, deodorant, sedative and nerve tonic.

6 – Cinnamon oil.

Cinnamon oil has great value in aromatherapy. It fights exhaustion and feelings of depression and weakness.  It has powerful antiviral and antibacterial properties and is useful to fight cold’s and flu.  Therapeutic properties of cinnamon oil are analgesic, antiseptic, antibiotic, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, astringent, insecticide, tonic.  Cinnamon inhibits the growth of respiratory tract pathogens Hemophiliacs, influenza, streptococcus pneumonia.

7 – Eucalyptus oil:

Eucalyptus oil has a cooking and deodorizing effect on the body. Useful with fevers and migraine.  It helps coughs asthma, throat infections and sinusitis and catarrhal conditions.  It soothes inflammation and eases mucus clearing the head of stuffiness of colds.  The therapeutic properties are analgesic, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, expectorant, deodorant, decongestant, expectorant, anti-spasmodic.  It is useful for burns, cuts, skin infections, blisters and assists in breathing freely.

8 – Blood orange oil.

Blood orange oil has a sweet, fresh smell.  The therapeutic properties are antiseptic, anti-depressant, anti-spasmodic, anti-inflammatory, calming and sedative.  It is a sunny and radiant oil, bringing happiness and warmth to the mind.  It helps people to relax.  It can be used to strengthen the immune system.

9 – Manuka oil.

Manuka oil is from a plant grown in New Zealand. It is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory.  Manuka oil has shown to be effective in laboratory tests against over 30 different micro-organisms.  In particular streptococci and staphylococcal bacteria and fungi that affect the skin.  You can find out more about manuka oil by clicking here

My personal book recommendation:

In case you are interested my favourite essential oil book which I’m guessing I’ve owned for over 20 years is The Fragrant Mind: Aromatherapy for Personality, Mind, Mood and Emotion.  It has been with me every step of the way for all my children’s bumps, bruises, aches and pains.

You can find out more about the Super Traveller by clicking here.

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Thanks so much for reading my article, Carole.

Return anytime to the Rejuvenation Lounge or connect with me on facebook

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Boost your energy now:

Clutter represents a build up of too much yin (stagnant/stale/dead) energy in your home, which in turn can lead to confusion, a depletion of energy or procrastination.  The interesting part is you don’t even need to see the clutter to be effected by it.

I know from my own personal experience, there is no easier way to change any problem or situation in life than by having a serious clutter clearing session.  It simply shifts energy – and then your life moves forward.

Photo by triplezero

Clearing Clutter Moves Your Life Forward:

To inspire you find your clutter clearing groove I’ve shared a few games below which I have used over the years.  It’s all a matter of finding an approach that works for you. My personal favourite is to pretend I’m about to move overseas.

Enjoy.

1: Pretend You Are Moving – Overseas:

Act as if something great is about to happen in your life. You’re moving overseas, interstate, moving home or about to live on a boat.

For those of you who have been reading my blog for a while now will know that at the beginning of last year I assumed the position that I was about to move overseas.  Yeah! After 2 months my home and life had never been so up to-date and organized.  It’s also worth mentioning that many great things started happening not long after.

You are welcome to read my guest post over at unclutter from July 2008.

2: Pick a Number between 1 and 10:

This is a great little game I learnt from space clearing expert Karen Kingston. I’ve recommend her book Clear Your Clutter many times on this blog.

Simply choose a number between 1 – 10, write the number on a piece of paper, leave it somewhere obvious, and that’s the number of things you must clear from your home each day.

Trust me, this is actually quite a fun clutter game.

3: Start a daily 30 second clutter clearing habit:

Lack of time can no longer be your excuse for not clearing your clutter.   Anyone can spare 30 seconds to throw out at least one (and hopefully more) unwanted, unloved things from your home.

30 seconds requires virtually no energy, effort or thinking power.   This game is also perfect if you are feeling in total overwhelm at the very thought of clearing out your clutter.

To grow your 30 second clutter clearing muscle simply start with something easy like your clothes or a kitchen draw.  You then have 30 seconds to find one or two things that you no longer need.

To further boost your enthusiasm, here’s a fabulous super short video called  Weed out useless utensils by Peter Walsh

4:  Buy one thing then, throw two things out:

This game is easy and the rules very obvious.

If you buy one thing for your kitchen then make sure you throw out two things (from your kitchen) that you no longer need, that are broken, have missing lids, have expired etc.

If you buy a new pillow go through your linen closet and throw out two unwanted towels, sheets, pillow slips etc.

This is a great way to stop the build up of clutter with minimum of fuss.

* Let go of your emotional clutter:

* Simple solutions when you can’t shift your clutter

* Detox your home and feel brand new

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You can also grab a daily rejuvenation tip by clicking here:

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Join me at my next 2011 Rest and Rejuvenation Retreat in Bali.

Click here for all the relaxing details.

“He is the happiest, be he king or peasant, who finds peace in his home” Goethe

Bedrooms have lost their identity. They are not multi purpose rooms to be used for all sorts of busy human activities, nor are they spaces to hide your clutter.  An unloved, crowded, busy or confused bedroom simply blocks a great nights sleep.

So ask yourself this question, “Is the energy in my bedroom relaxing me or is it draining or over stimulating me?”

Photo by Gabriela Camerotti’s

8 tips for setting your bedroom up for calm:

For over 8 years I taught Feng Shui which included the effects of electromagnetic radiation on our health.   Over the years I collected many case studies where insomnia and poor sleep were corrected, along with health, by simply creating a bedroom that felt light, peaceful and nurturing.

When you, remove all your electrical gadgets, remove stuff that stimulates you or causes you to over think, clear the clutter and simplify, the heaviness will lift, you’ll feel clearer and lighter, and be well on the way to creating the perfect environment for a great nights sleep.  Yeah!

1: Keep your bedroom free from electrical appliances:

Avoid over exposure to electromagnetic radiation (the unseen frequency emitted from electrical things) particularly near your bed head area. It can have a serious effect on your health, disrupt the pineal gland along with the production of melatonin and serotonin.

This means no phone, phone chargers, ipod charges, electrical clocks etc on your bedside table. Switch to a battery operated clock and move all your appliances and gadgets into another room.

Turn everything electrical off at the wall when not in use.

Are you allergic to wireless internet: An interesting article

2: Where’s your power box:

Move your bed if the bedhead shares a wall with your homes power box.  Electromagnetic radiation can pass through walls which I have witnessed many times with a device that measures the amount of radiation emitted from electrical gadgets, power points, appliances, fluorescent lighting etc.  Eight feet or more is generally a healthy distance from the power box.

3: Clear out the past from under your bed:

Remove all clutter from under your bed and stop sleeping on stuff from the past. It drains your energy whether you are aware of it or not. Get ruthless.

Draws built into the bed are fine as long as they are filled with stuff that you use often.

4: Uplift the energy in your corners:

Stagnant, heavy energy can linger in corners and drain the energy in your bedroom.  Give your bedroom corners a good deep spring clean.  Remove everything up off the floor and do your best not to overcrowd.

Once you’ve cleared out your corners (except for essential furniture), you may need to uplift the energy in one or more corners, particularly if they are dark, with lighting (lamp), colour (painting or other accessories) or plant.

5: Clear the clutter and clear your mind:

De-cluttering gives you an increased sense of well-being.  Just thinking about all the clutter, unused, unwanted, unloved, broken, doesn’t work, doesn’t fit stuff can leave you feeling drained and depleted. Go through every hidden space, draw, and cupboard in your bedroom, including your en-suite.

If it all seems too much then start a daily 30 second clutter clearing session. Walk to a cluttered draw/cupboard and spend a huge thirty seconds grabbing one thing that you no longer need.  Thirty seconds a day amounts to 30 unloved and unused items being thrown out each month. The more you throw out the easier it will become.

How to change your life in 30 seconds is an article I wrote last month for a blog called, Dumb Little Man, check it out.

6: Remove the triggers for over thinking:

It can be as simple as 4 or 5 books beside your bed or looking at a turned off computer that triggers over thinking.

You know what you think about at night so its important to be honest with yourself and remove or hide everything that prevents your mind calming down.

Firstly remove all the obvious eg. exercise equipment, computer, work or study papers, TV etc.  Then, take a closer look at the colours, patterns, doona cover, decor or accessories that may be too bright or busy and stimulating your senses.

If you are renting a room and must have your computer or TV then take away the visual reminders by covering them up at night.  Quite a few of my students in the past used sarongs to cover their computer or TV.

7: Get your stuff up off the floor:

There have been many case studies linking depression to stuff being stored on the floor. Too much stuff on the floor is heavy and drags your energy down.  It also tends to indicate that you are stuck in life.

For a room to feel lighter and more spacious remove as many things as possible up from the floor and give them a proper home.

9 ways to soften yourself up for a great nights sleep:

8: Uncomplicate and simplify for peace of mind:

The simpler your life, the more energy you’ll have and the better quality sleep you’ll enjoy.

Simplify your bedroom space with less furniture, less storage, less ornaments and less nick knacks. It will make a huge difference to how your bedroom space feels, how you feel in your bedroom and to the quality of your sleep.

Six excellent reasons to uncomplicate your life:

Additional sleeping hints:

If I feel overstimulated from a busy day, a few drops of the essential oil vetiver, dabbed onto the soles of my feet, helps draw excess energy out of my head and back down into my body.

I’d also probably be inclined to take a teaspoon of the calming herb passionflower. I’ve used it for over 8 years and its works every time for me.

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“Remember tomorrow, recycle today”

I’ve been very proactive for a long time now, embracing a chemical free existence.  I do my best to feed my family organic (as much as I can afford), super keen to eliminate as much plastic from my home as possible (it seems to never end), shop at local farmers markets  and have switched most of my household cleaners for natural, good old fashioned remedies.

Photo by Matthew Fang’s

And, while the whole “green thing” is an an ongoing, work in progress, I’m very happy to give myself a big silent thumbs up,  knowing that I have made a small, yet worthy contribution to the health of my family, environment and children’s future. It simply makes me feel happy.

I’ve deliberately only shared what I felt to be the easiest changes that I have made over the years. They require very little of your time, thinking space and energy to make the green change.

In addition to the suggestions below, you may also like to read a previous article I have written called:

Detox your kitchen bench: Six simple things you can do now:

Enjoy.

20 Super Easy Ways To Feel Happier and Greener:

1. Start using glass for storage containers and slowly get rid of the plastic
2. Switch to bamboo chopping boards.  I love my bamboo boards. They have a naturally high antibacterial quality and are very environmentally friendly.
3. Stainless or bamboo cooking utensils are the green and friendly options.
4. Use cast iron or stainless steal pots to cook in.  Aluminum is a “no no”.
5. Say no to plastic shopping bags. Bring your own cotton string or environmentally friendly shopping bags when you shop. Leave one across your steering wheel until you get into the habit of remembering.
6. Use natural fibre pillows like Kapok or latex.  I’m saving up for Kapok pillows, the fibre comes from the kapok tree and is naturally antibacterial and resistant to dust mite and mildew.
7. Throw away plastic coat hangers and make the change to bamboo or wood hangers
8. Switch to chemical free or organic toothpaste, shampoos and conditioners.  I did this very slowly so it didn’t get too expensive all at once. First I started with the toothpaste and the following month added shampoo and then the following month something else.
9. Switch your shower head to a low flow water faucet.  You’ll save on hot water and of course water.  I’ve been using one for about 6 months now.
10. Go for good old fashioned wooden pegs for your clothes line or to seal food bags.
11. Stop using the dryer and hang the clothes outside (if you can). I don’t own one, although I do live in a tropical climate.  It helps.
12. Wash clothes in cold water.  For years now I have only used cold water.
13. Throw out the chemicals and use natural remedies for stains and cleaning
14. Turn all electrical things off at the wall when not in use.  My boys has mastered this habit now after about a year.
15. Use a micro fibre to clean benches or floors.  They only need warm water and no chemicals.
16. Buy stainless lunch boxes instead of plastic.  This is my most recent contribution to going green.
17. Treat yourself to an environmentally friendly drink bottle from your local health food store.
18. Lose the toxic air fresheners and spray your rooms with essential oils mixed with water
19. Invest in a water filter. For over 7 years now I’ve had a reverse osmosis water filter which removes all nasties from the water.
20. I’m now in the process of saving to buy a more energy efficient fridge and washing machine.  As I said before, going green is a work in progress.

Earth watch suggests building your own earth kit which includes things such as smart strips that can sense when your computer or television shuts off.  It also knows when to turn your devices on automatically – saving you time, money, and energy.  Click here for the earth watch institute web site:

_______________________________________

I really appreciate the time you’ve taken to read my article, Carole.

Return anytime to the Rejuvenation Lounge or connect on facebook

More resources:

Gorgeously Green: 8 Simple Steps to an Earth-Friendly Life

More articles:

Let go of your emotional clutter:

6 simple solutions if you can’t shift your clutter

Detox your kitchen bench: Six simple things you can do now:

“Smell is a potent wizard that transports you across thousands of miles and all the years you have lived”  Helen Keller

Your sense of smell can trigger memories, invoke relaxation, warn you of danger and sharpen your awareness of other people and places. It can influence your mood and determine how long you stay in a room.  Having said that, why not use your sense of smell, to inhale more moments of calm into your day.

Photo by kk’s

One of the easiest ways to “smell in” relaxation is by inhaling the aroma and therapeutic qualities of essential oils.  My favorite calming and de-stressing oils at the moment are geranium, vetiver and rose.  In fact, each day I dab 3 drops of rose oil onto my face and then onto my wrists. Yum. Apart from helping with stress its also wonderful for anti-aging.

Of course essential oils are not your only option, you might prefer the smell of comfort food baking, flowers, freshly washed sheets or clothes,  real air, your garden, pots of yummy herbs in your kitchen or the smell of your local bakery.

Either way, pay more attention to the smells around you (eliminate those that stress you out) and add more of those that calm and relax you.

Smell Your Way To Calm Anywhere, Anytime:

1: Smell your way to calm in your car:

There’s a couple ways I add the smell of calm into my car.  One is to spray my seats with 6 drops of lavender essential oil mixed with about 250 ml of water in a spray bottle.  The other way, is to wipe my dashboard and steering wheel with a damp cloth that has been infused with a few drops of lavender.   I love lavender for the car as its great for calming my boys.

2: Smell your way to calm in bed:

Add a few drops of your favorite relaxing essential oil to the final rinse of your sheets in the washing machine.  Alternately add a few drops to the inside of your pillows, 5 minutes before you need to go to bed.

One of my favorite self care treats at night is to dab 2 drops of the oil, vetiver onto the souls of my feet.  It work wonders in slowing me down and grounding my energies.

3: Smell your way to calm whilst on the phone:

What a better way to “smell in” calm than when you are chatting on the phone.  Simply grab a clean damp cloth and dab with a few drops of any calming essential oil and rub all over your mobile phone or hand set.  Inhale deeply, as often as you like, whilst chatting on the phone and absorb the therapeutic qualities.

________________________________

Thanks for reading my post.  Carole

You are welcome to come back and visit my blog the Rejuvenation Lounge anytime or treat yourself to one of my Women’s Rejuvenation Retreats in Bali, Australia or Italy:

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More posts:

20 ways to be kinder to yourself:

15 essential things to know about your breathing:

How to focus on one thing at a time:

Clever tips for a great nights sleep:

“I release the past with ease and trust in the process of life” Louise Hay

Now is the perfect time to detox and declutter your home. I firmly believe that a focused clutter busting session is the best therapy to move yourself forward in life. Particularly if you feel stuck, flat, overwhelmed, indecisive, depleted or tired.

Photo Thanks to Nataliej’s

I know for a fact, when my home feels light and uncomplicated, my thinking is clearer, I have less distractions, energy levels improve, creativity peaks, intuition is strong and more wonderful things happen to me. I simply feel supported by my home rather than being drained and depleted by it.

How does your home make you feel, right now?

Clear out the old and make way for the new:

In preparation for the year ahead, I have been very busy (over the past few weeks) going through all draws, cupboards, boxes and spaces in my home and eliminating, eliminating, eliminating everything and anything I feel is blocking or slowing down the flow of my life.

My instructions to self are simple.  Clear out the old and make way for the new.

Remove At Least 20% Of Stuff From Each Of Your Rooms:

If you are really keen to make way for the new in 2009 then I would enthusiastically suggest throwing out, selling or giving away (at least) 20% of stuff from each and every one of your rooms. This includes the garage.

The rules for what goes:

• unloved
• unused
• broken
• expired
• doesn’t fit anymore
• missing parts
• haven’t used in the last 2 years
• it’s someone elses
• associated with unhappy memories
• from old toxic relationships

There is no rush or pressure. I’m allowing myself at least 6 weeks and trust that by the end of January my home will have a whole brand new feel to it.

Find Your Cluttering Clearing Groove:

Find a time of day or night where clearing clutter flows easily for you. Mine is the morning, but yours might well be at night when the house is quiet.

Having Trouble Getting Started:

1. Starting is often the trickiest part.  I wrote an article earlier this year Simple solutions when you can’t clear your clutter which, I hope you find helpful.
2. Alternately, grab a daily clutter tip from Peter Walsh such as; sort your sock draw; clean out your briefcase; organize your wallet or empty your cutlery draw. Sometimes the energy in our homes can be so stuck and heavy that even sorting out one draw takes an enormous amount of effort.  Start small – one draw at a time.  You can also watch a great one minute clutter tip about your kitchen draws by Peter Walsh click here.
3. Free declutter calender: Whilst I don’t personally use this calender, it may be the perfect clutter reminding tool for you.
4. This is my favorite book on clutter.  I have been recommending it for well over 10 years now.   Its called Clear Your Clutter With Feng Shui by Karen Kingston.
5. Unclutterer is a great blog with loads of ideas for getting organized and simplifying your work and home spaces.
6. Here’s the ultimate inspiration to get you motivated into clearing your clutter, particularly if you are overweight. Its a book called  Does This Clutter Make My Butt Look Fat?: An Easy Plan for Losing Weight and Living More Whilst I haven’t read this book I do love Peter Walsh’s holistic and simple approach to clearing clutter. I’ve hear many good things about it.

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By Carole Fogarty,

Editor of  Rejuvenation Lounge and facilitator of Women’s Rejuvenation Retreats:

Rejuvenate Your Home:

Your home is a sacred space.  A place where your body, mind and soul can unwind, relax and chill out. A place that protects and keeps you safe from the outside world. But what if your home feels different?  What if, the energy in your home is “up tight” and stressing you out even more. What if stress from the outside world has crept into your home.

MadMannequin

Give Your Home A Stress Test:

Small snippets of human stress can easily begin sneaking into your home. Little by little, stress starts to fill your rooms and alter the atmosphere in your home. Then before you know it, your home is no longer peaceful, calm and relaxing.

Where did that great relaxing vibe in your home go?

Give your home a stress test today.

Run through the list – 10 sneaky ways stress can enter your home below and see how many stressful moments are sneaking into your home everyday.

De-stressing your home is easy. You simply eliminate or reduce the stress at its source. I guarantee, when you start reducing the amount of stress you allow into your home, little by little calm will be the dominate vibe in your home once again.

Ten Sneaky Ways Stress Enters Your Home:

1. Friends and their drama: Every human being leaves an energy trail wherever they go.  Avoid inviting friends with drama into your home.  Meet them somewhwere else. Also make sure you have strong protective boundaries around you when supporting and comforting friends. You certainly don’t want to carry their stressful drama back into your home. Sage is great to cleanse stress from your personal living space or from your physical body.

 

2. TV leaks anger, conflict and drama: You don’t need to be watching the TV for it to effect the energy of your home. TV’s left passively on in the background continously contributes to altering the atmosphere of your home.  TV very rarely brings happy, uplifting vibes into your home. Did you know that your immune system is depleted for at least 12 hours after watching a horror film.

 

3. Telephone stress:  Simply the sound of your telephone or mobile ringing can trigger stress. You might even think the continious ringing is deliberately trying to stress you out even more.  Create a healthy energetic distance between you and your phones.  Give family or “chilling out” time priority. Don’t become a slave to every ring and bell in your home. Turn everything off for at least a couple of hours each night. Or if you are like me I have a day a week where it’s all turned off.

 

4. Stop Inviting Gossip Into Your Home: Gossip is toxic and can be extremely stressful. Even if you are just a listener of gossip, simply by paying attention to it invites it into your personal space. Get clear with your energies around gossip.  I dare you to quit participating in gossip  particularly from your home.

 

5. Bringing stress home from work: Being unable to leave your problems of work at the office is one of the quickest ways to fill your home with stress. If you or your partner need to unload then do it outside or go for a walk and talk about it. Do your best not to talk about it in your home.

 

6. Possessions that stress you out: Yes, all your stuff and things do not necessarily bring you happiness. Take an honest look around your home and become aware of which possessions you continously complain about. If you are complaining then you are adding stress to your body and into your home.  Is it worth keeping that possession that stresses you out?  Is there something you can do which will de-stress that possession.  Of course there is. Either way give it away, sell it or fix it.

 

7. Unpleasant neighbours: If your neighbours have unpleasant energy this can easily disturb the calmness of your home. The closer they are the more impact it can have …… only if you allow it. The less you talk, think or worry about your neighbours the weaker their influence will become. Through my many years as a Feng Shui practitioner the top three remedies which have worked succsssfully for unpleasant neighbours are (a) send them happy thoughts back, rise above their negativity  (b) place crystals on your window sill in the location where the neighbours are most disruptive.  Elestial and black tourmaline are the two favourites (c) Plant tulsi (holy basil) along that side of your home. Holy basil is used frequently in India and believe to carry the breathe of god.  It has fabulous cleansing and purifying qualities.

 

8. Conversations: Yes every single conversation you have in your home leaves a trail of energy. It can be a conversation you are having with yourself (in your head) or actual conversations you are having with family and friends. The emotions behind your words and thoughts carry energy.  Become mindful of the stressful and toxic thoughts and conversations that take place in your home.  If you need more convincing then watch this trailor. You can heal your life:

 

9. The stress of sound:  Start listening to the sounds in your home.  Observe which sounds stress you out.   What options have you got?  If its outside noise can you play some music that will cover its sound.  If its a sqeeky door or window then fix it.  If its game consoles or kids music can they wear head phones. If its TV can you turn down the volume or turn it off.  If its your gadgets mobile etc can you put them on mute. Simply work out the sounds which irritate you and one by one eliminate or reduce their stressful influence in your home.

 

10. The stress of paper: Strange but true.  I can’t believe the amount of paper that comes in my home on a daily basis. It stresses me out. There is always paper everywhere.   Junk mail, snail mail, stuff my kids bring home from school, letters from my kids sports clubs, receipts, dockets, shopping bags (if I’ve forgotten my eco friendly one) and the list goes on. I am yet to master the stress of paper but doing my best to become more efficient with it or eliminate it at the source.  e.g request school newsletters electronically, put a no junk mail sticker on letter box, if I am given the option of requesting a paper eceipt I decline.  Any more suggestions will be gratefully welcomed.

On finishing I would simply like to remind you of a quote by Deepak Chopra “The healthiest response to life is laughter”  

Thanks so much for reading my article, Carole.

I’d really appreciate a stumble if you loved this article or a  Digg

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The energy in your bedroom and everything in it,  needs to feel deeply calming and nurturing to all your senses.  It is a sacred space that’s sole purpose is to rest, repair and rejuvenate you.  It is the most intimate space you have.

Your bedroom is not a multi purpose room. It is not your office. It is not an exercise room.  And it is certainly not a storage room.

Okinawa Soba’s photo

Rejuvenate your bedrooms energy and sleep better:

Identifying the energy suckers and energy stimulator in your bedroom is the first step towards rejuvenating its energy.   Eliminate the toxic energy, remove the overstimulating, then infuse with a good dose of yin energy which is peaceful, gentle and calming.

1. Remove everything from under your bed:

Clutter is dead, stagnant, toxic energy that adds no value whatsoever to your life.  In fact is very draining.   In Feng Shui there is a belief that clutter stored under your bed represents sleeping on old unresolved issues.  Remove everything from under your bed now.

2. Clear the emotional clutter:

There is nothing healthy nor helpful about clutter.  Stuff that is unused, unwanted, unloved or broken is clutter and will deplete the energy in any space.

are many different types of clutter that can energetically block peacefulness in your bedroom.  If you are unsure then it may be a good idea to read my article the Emotional Cost of Clutter:

3. Eliminate anything electrical:

Rejuvenate the energy your bedroom by choosing to make it an electrical free zone. I strongly believe the radiation emitted from electrical things is harmful.  The closer they are to your body and head the greater interference they cause to your overall health and well-being.

Remove as many electrical items as you can.  Switch to a battery operated clock.  Turn all electrical things off at the wall when not in use.  Do not have anything electrical within arms reach of your head at night.  This means no re-charging of phones and ipods on your beside table.

For many years I have used a piece crystal lepiodilite (in mica form) under my pillow as it is known is absorb electro magnectic radiation from electrical appliances.  I have personally proven this many, many times.  The more radiation the lepidolite crystal absorbs the thinner it becomes.

4. Avoid sleeping near the power box:

If your bed head adjoins the wall that houses the power box for your home then move your bed. There have been too many research articles over the past 20 years suggesting ill health was caused by sleeping in close range to the power box.

5. Calm the energy down:

Remove pictures, colours and things which could over stimulate your nervous system or mind. Even too many books beside your bed can block deep rest. Mirrors are a great one for over stimulating a bedrooms energy. Cover your mirrors at night and see if you notice a difference.

Exercise equipment, computers, TV and work papers are a definite no, no. Your bedroom is not a multi purpose room. The more stimulating things you can remove from your bedroom the better chance you have of making the space calmer and ultimately more rejuvenating.

6. Check for sharp pointed corners from your beside table:

This piece of wisdom is from my days when I was a Feng Shui teacher. Sharp pointed corners aimed at the body cause the energy to rush and pierce or dent our auric fields. Eventually an ache or pain will surface directly in alignment with the flow of the sharp pointed corner. To remedy cover or turn the beside table slightly away from aiming at your body. If you are needing some more solutions let me know as I’ve over a decade of tips in my files.

7. Know the history of your mattress:

If your mattress has a happy history great. If your mattresses has a sad, upsetting or distressing history then I would strongly suggest getting a new mattress. No one needs to be sleeping on a field of energy that is not conducive to rejuvenation.

Cleanse your mattress periodically by sprinkling it with rock salt and leave for at least 5 hours. Just like the ocean, sea salt and rock salt absorb negative energies.

Latex mattresses are the way to go.

8. Love your bedding and nourish your senses:
The touch, smell, visual appearance of your bedding interacts with your senses. Make sure you have the bedding which you absolutely love. Natural fiber is better and of course organic is even better again. Even put a few drops of the essential oil lavender (or oil of your choice) into your final wash cycle. It leaves your sheets smelling yummy.

This reminds me, I am in urgent need of some new bedding. When I think of my doona cover, pillow and sheets, I think nice colour but old and tired. Good excuse for a good dose of shopping therapy.

9. Infuse your bedroom with calm energy:

Playing relaxing music ( even when you are not in your bedroom ), will add a very peaceful atmosphere to your bedroom.  The more you do it, the more peaceful it will become.  Burning essentials oils about an hour before you go to bed is a wonderful way to calm your nervous system and nourish your senses.

Candles, salt crystal lamps, natural incense, essential oils, space clearing sprays and crystals all wonderful  ways to clear negative energy and add peaceful vibes to your bedroom or any room.

1o. Add happiness to your bedside table:

What you see last thing before you go to bed and first thing in the morning leaves an impression in your being. In most cases its probably your beside table.

Lets make sure the beside table offers rejuvenation to you in the form of either images such as a buddha, photo of happy holiday, perhaps your favourite affirmation card, crystals that you know and love, candles, oil burner. In other words whatever rocks your world with uplifting thoughts have on your beside table.

Avoid mobile phones, chargers, too many books all calling for your attention at once or anything else that may take your mind away from rest and rejuvenation.

Thanks so much for reading my article, Carole.

Return anytime to the Rejuvenation Lounge or become a fan on facebook

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More articles from the Rejuvenation Lounge:

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How to teach our children meditation:

Clever tips for a great nights sleep:

By Carole Fogarty

Detox and De-stress: 

I can hear your mind screaming now. Mess is clutter. Wrong. From my personal and professional experience (as Feng Shui Practitioner for 15 years) there is a huge energetic, emotional and physical difference between mess and clutter.

Upaya River house kitchen Upaya Zen Centre:

Clutter is hard to eliminate, toxic and blocks the flow of your life.

Healthy mess is part of daily living, it shows that your home is loved and lived in, its connected to all things that you use regularly and with a quick tidy up is easily sorted. Clutter is not used nor loved and never gets sorted. Bless your daily healthy mess.

Clutter lurks behind mess and pretends to be mess:

Relax with your daily mess (just for a while) and focus your time on the real energy draining culprit of clutter. It’s sneaky, it hides, plays emotional games with you, gets mixed up with your daily healthy mess and contributes nothing whatsoever to your life.

I can also guarantee that once your clutter is eliminated your daily mess will not have the same heavy energy that you once thought it had. It was simply the clutter lurking behind the mess which made you feel drained and exhausted in the first place.

A valuable observation which I have notice over the years, the less clutter the less daily mess. Strange but true. Its all about the energy.

Healthy Mess:

• Mess is temporary
• Mess never gets ignored as it is cleared up within a few days or at the max a week
• Mess gets used often
• Mess moves around so there is energy flow
• Mess can bring you joy. I personally love seeing my children’s toys and creations all around my home.
• Mess can be creative inspiration. Often when I am working I have lots of perceived mess around me, notes, books and references. This is how my creative process of writing works. It is not clutter as it is cleared up by the end of the day.
• Mess is easily dealt with as opposed to clutter which is difficult to deal with
• Mess has a much lighter energy whereas clutter is heavy and draining
• Mess which is not packed away becomes clutter
• Mess is generally visually obvious and part of daily living whereas clutter is not that obvious as its often hiding somewhere

Unhealthy Clutter:

• Clutter never moves
• Clutter always stays in the one place
• Clutter is often hidden and not visually present
• Clutter drains your energy
• Clutter never gets used year in year out
• Clutter is unused, unwanted and unloved
• Clutter gets totally ignored
• Clutter clouds your thinking and blocks the flow of your life

Relax with your daily mess and get ruthless with your clutter.

Thanks for reading my article, Carole

Please visit my Wellbeing Toolbox which has been created just for you
or join me in Bali on my annual Womens Rejuvenation Retreat.

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By Carole Fogarty

Editor Rejuvenation Lounge and facilitator of Women’s Rejuvenation Retreats:

Rejuvenate Your Home:

The feeling, vibe or atmosphere filling your home is simply energy. The quality and way in which this energy moves throughout your home directly effects the flow of your life. You are not separate from the energy filling your home and it is not separate from you. You are both exchanging energy continuously.

Stuck stagnant energy in your home creates obstacles and setbacks whilst light gentle moving energy allows your life to flow with greater ease. It’s that simple.

Photo by annahape gallery:

Even though Feng Shui is a complex subject which takes you on a life long journey I can happily share eight core Feng Shui success habits which I know will contribute enormously to improving the quality and flow of energy in your home and life.

“It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop” Confucius.

1. Start feeling the energy in your rooms:
Your body is a clever instrument that easily senses the energy in any room. Simply by closing your eyes, and becoming aware of how a room actually makes you feel, is all you need to do.

Its not necessary to know why, a room doesn’t feel right, you simply need to start rearranging, taking away or adding until the feeling starts to shift and improve.

A clue: Rooms, corners or spaces that you generally avoid or never use are the best places to start.

2. Never stop removing clutter:
Clutter has a way of sneaking into your home uninvited. By following two simple habits you will easily be able to keep clutter to a minimum.

Once a month focus on one cupboard or one draw or even one room. By having a monthly clutter clearing session you are guaranteeing yourself that 12 times a year you removing the old, stale and stagnant energy from your personal living space.

Secondly make a promise to yourself that anytime you buy something new for your home you will remove at least 2 items. For example if I am buying a new pillow I will generally throw out an old one or even a few sheets. Anything that looks well past it use by date is out.

A clue: Remember there is an emotional cost to the clutter in your life.

3. Improve Energy Flow:
Each room in your home deserves 100% great energy flow. Corners are the most common spots where energy gets stuck. There’s generally no people movement, they tend to be darker, neglected, dull and often well away from any door or window.

Start encouraging energy flow into your corners by improving the lighting, adding color, plants, water feature, fresh flowers, candles, lamps or moving heavy pieces of furniture away from them. Mirrors push energy into the direction they are facing, whilst vases filled with tall pieces of luck bamboo pull energy up away from the floor and towards the ceiling.

Stuff stored on the floors drags energy down and hinders the flow of energy.

A clue: Your eyes are attracted to energy. As a general rule notice which spaces, walls and areas of your home never attract your eyes attention and focus on improving the energy in those spaces from the above list of ideas.

4. Avoid or Weaken Secret Arrows:
Sharp pointed corners from walls, cupboards and pieces of furniture cause energy to flow too quickly. Whilst we can’t remove corners altogether from our homes we can avoid having our body exposed to them at close range. The key is not to work, sleep, eat or spend any long periods of time at close range to what Feng Shui calls secret arrows. They pierce your auric fields which in turn depletes your energy levels.

A clue: Look closely at your bedside tables for any sharp pointed corners aimed at your body. To remedy tilt the corner away from your body, cover or hang something over the sharp pointed corner to block its flow.

5. Focus on Your Front Entrance:
Your front entrance is a Feng Shui power spot. There is a direct link between the quality of energy accumulated around your front entrance and the prosperity that you actually attract into your life. It’s important to notice how the energy feels around your front door and keep rearranging and adjusting until it is the best it can feel.

A pair of healthy potted plants in coloured pots are an easy and cheap way to begin attracting energy around your front entrance. Life attract life.

To get further inspiration read: Does your front entrance welcome wealth or turn it away?

A clue: Water attracts and hold energy. A water feature or bird bath near your front entrance will encourage energy to linger.

6. Adjust the Yin Yang Balance of your Bedroom:
Your bedroom is not a multi purpose room to be filled with TV’s, computers, work papers and exercise equipment. It’s sole purpose is to rest, repair and rejuvenate your body. Ensure the bedroom feels calm, peaceful and restful by removing as many yang (stimulating) items as possible.

Remove clutter from under your bed so you are not sleeping on past issues. Know the history of your mattress. A mattress stores human emotions. If your mattress has been exposed to many unpleasant emotional upsets I would strongly urge you to buy a new mattress to prevent you connecting with those energies. Alternately sprinkled with rock salt for 4 or 5 hours to cleanse or leave outside in the bright sunshine.

* Clever tips for a great nights sleep:

A clue: Remove all electrical appliances from your bedroom particularly around the head of your bed. Make sure your homes power box is not on the other side of your bed head. Electrical radiation is dangerous.

7. Start Paying Attention to the Rooms You Ignore:
Over the years I have seen so many people love only a few key rooms in their home. Your home is 100% of energy with each location being directly associated with certain aspects of your life. For example your wealth energy is located in the southeast, your relationship energy in the southwest, your creative energy in the west, your life’s purpose in the north. Neglecting areas of your home is linked to neglecting certain aspects of your life.

A clue: Spare rooms, bathrooms, garages, walk in robes are all filled with energy so make sure you focus on uplifting the energies in all these spaces.

8. Stop Complaining About Your Home:
Stop complaining about your home from this day forward. Your thoughts contribute enormously to the atmosphere that lingers in your home. Focus on what you love about your home. Give thanks for the shelter, warmth and protection is offers you on a daily basis. If your home feels flat and tired then change things around. If stuff is broken, neglected or needs repair then fix.

Each time you walk through your front door repeat a mantra such as “My home is calm and peaceful” “My home attracts abundance” My home nurtures and uplifts my energy”.

A clue: To further raise the vibration of your home burn essential oils, incense, play mantra’s or uplifting music, add some crystals, cleanse with a space clearing mist or a sage smudge stick.

Thanks for reading my article. Carole.  

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