The Benefits of Natural Sunlight: Health, Happiness and Beauty

The sun is a star fixed at the center of our solar system — everything revolves around it. In many ways, the sun sits at the center of our lives, too. We orient our homes to capture its warmth. We keep time by its passage. It produces the heat and light that keeps us alive. 

These are obvious ways that we depend on the sun. But science tells us that we benefit from sunlight in surprising ways too. Did you know that sunlight can:

• Make you happy? 

• Help you to sleep better? 

• Boost your immune system?

• Reduce your risk of cancer? 

• Lower your cholesterol and blood pressure?

Research shows that a few minutes of sunlight each day can produce so many significant benefits. Health care professionals may not agree about how much sun we need, but they do agree that we suffer without it. 

The Science of Sunlight

The rising and setting of the sun has a lot to do with our body’s natural rhythm, known as our Circadian Rhythm. Our body’s hormones actually respond to sunlight. At night, our bodies produce melatonin to make us drowsy. Come morning, our bodies respond to sunlight by producing serotonin, a “feel good” hormone that stimulates our brains, influences our moods, controls our appetite, and fights stress. Without sunlight, our body can fall out of its natural rhythm. 

In response to direct sunlight, our body produces vitamin D – crucial for healthy immune systems and skin, brain activity, and bone growth. Vitamin D has also been proven to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, fight disease, and to encourage better sleep.

Disruptions (or lack of sunlight) can trigger a domino effect that leads to poor sleep, depression, and compromised immune systems – an obviously unhealthy cycle. Kind of makes you a little eager to get out in that sunshine, huh? It should. We have a long history (and healthy relationship) with the sun and that’s not going to change any time soon. 

So how can you add more natural light to a dark space?

• Add some shine

The more shiny surfaces you have in a room, the brighter it will appear. Add brass doorknobs and lighting fixtures, mirrors, silver frames, or acrylic furniture.

• Treat the windows

For maximum sunlight, keep your windows unobstructed. Choose sheer fabrics, or cover only the outer edges of the window to create a larger appearance without blocking any light.

• Go light and glossy

Lighter paint colors on the walls and ceiling – especially the glossier finishes – will reflect the most light back into the room.

by Anjie Cho

The World's Favorite Color: 50 Shades of Blue

Thinking about using blue in your home? You’re not alone. The color of water and sky is universally popular.  Blue is consistently regarded as the color most people prefer. 

Blue is a complex and sometimes contradictory color, yet it is rich with rewards — if you know how to use it.  There are many shades of blue, so which do you choose?

The Many Moods of Blue

Finding the right blue is determined by matching the tone or shade to the occasion. Let’s explore some of blue’s moods so that we can find the right shade of blue for you and your room.   

• On the dark end of the spectrum, blue invokes trust, intelligence, and authority. 

• A bright blue, in the middle of the spectrum, can suggest cleanliness (thanks to associations with water), strength, or dependability. 

• At the light end of the spectrum, a ‘sky’ blue can inspire feelings of serenity and calm. 

If you’re thinking about how you can use blue, let’s talk first about the room in question and match the use of that room with specific characteristics of blue.  

Putting Blue to Work for You 

When choosing blue for a space, be sure that the room’s function matches the color’s tone. 

If the room is one in which mental stimulation is required, like an office, try a brighter blue – on the darker end of the spectrum. It will help to create an engaging and dynamic mood for the room. From a color psychology perspective, blue is reliable and responsible, so if you want to take on those qualities, work in a darker blue room.

If you have a room in which calm or peace is desired (bathroom, yoga or meditation room), opt for a light ‘sky’ blue. Pale blue can actually lower pulse rate and body temperature, evoking feelings of relaxation. There’s a reason that so many spas include blue in their color palettes!

If you are thinking of painting your kitchen or dining room blue, remember the physical effects of this color.  Because it relaxes the body and lowers pulse rate, it is also reducing metabolism. So food may not taste as good in a blue room. And since blue is rarely seen in fruits and vegetables, it is not thought of as an appetizing color. If blue is your choice for eating areas, try placing blue accessories around the room: rugs, seat cushions, placemats, plates, glassware, vases and flowers. You may find that this is ‘blue enough’ for you.

From ‘blue ribbon’ prizes and IBM’s supercomputer Deep Blue, to the Blue Room in the White House, there are many great reasons for using this soothing color.

by Anjie Cho

Q&A Sunday: Feng Shui Adjustments for Powerlines and Manholes

Anjie, I listen to your podcasts as soon as they come out, while driving to work. Very cool! Thank you for doing those. You had a phone consultation with a woman that you aired on the podcast. She asked about gas pipes in the back yard. I have something even worse (I think) - a sewer manhole in the middle of the back yard, and front of house looking at high voltage electric lines. How do you think those two effect us and what can be done to remedy them if they have a negative effect? 

Alex Y., Gaithersburg, MD

Hi Alex

Thank you for listening to my podcasts! I’m happy you are listening to them.

The first part of your question is about manholes in your backyard. A manhole is like a drain of sorts, where resources can become depleted. In BTB feng shui we use a ritual called “sealing of the drains” using cinnabar and a mantra to close off and seal the drain energetically and with intention. It’s a cure that’s shared through a consultation - so unfortunately I’m not able to post it publicly online. However, you can contact me for a consultation. Otherwise you can try placing a pot with a flowering green plant on top of the manhole to bring more positive life energy to the drain.

SUBSCRIBE to Above Average: http://bit.ly/LlHUTM The Headcrusher crushes businessmen's heads on Wall Street Like us on FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/AboveAverageProductions Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/AboveAv The Kids in the Hall is a Canadian sketch comedy group formed in 1984, consisting of comedians Dave Foley, Kevin McDonald, Bruce McCulloch, Mark McKinney, and Scott Thompson.

Now on to the second part, the issue of high voltage electric lines in front of your house. High voltage lines may impact your environment because of the EMFs (electromagnetic forces). Energetically you can try to cut those lines by taking a pair of scissors and symbolically cutting them with the intention that they are not harming you. Now you’re not really cutting anything. It’s kind of like that Kids in the Hall skit, “Head Crusher,” where Mark McKinney "crushes" the heads of random people from several feet away with his fingers. 

Another way to deflect this negative qi is to use a bagua mirror, the kind you find in Chinatown. You can place this on the outside of your home facing the electric lines. However, be careful as this may also deflect opportunities from your life.

As with many conditions requiring feng shui adjustments, each of these issues, and the circumstances surrounding them, can be different on an individual basis. These basic remedies should work, especially with good intentions, but if you're really worried about the adjustments, I would definitely recommend finding an expert who works well with you. 

by Anjie Cho

Thanks for reading our "Q&A Sunday" .  We will be answering questions submitted by our readers.  Click here to submit any Feng Shui questions!