The Science Behind Feng Shui Lighting

In part due to the way that it is represented in the media, feng shui is often considered a somewhat mystical or mysterious idea that is difficult to study or to prove.  However, laboratory research that some aspects of feng shui have a quantifiably positive effect on attitude and mood.  Traditional feng shui practices attempt to create a harmonious environment that helps its occupants happy and relaxed, and studies show that at least some feng shui techniques definitely have science on their side.

Some of the most effective feng shui rules with a scientific basis for their success have to do with lighting, and there is every indication that using feng shui techniques as a way to light your home will prove to be a great decision.  If the question is whether lighting your home according to feng shui principles will improve your quality of life, the answer is almost certainly yes.  According to the scientific body of knowledge we have on the subject of lighting and emotion, feng shui offers a reasonable and viable method for improving your mood by creating a calming atmosphere with light.

Feng shui strives to help you create a balanced atmosphere, and an important part of achieving that goal is finding lighting solutions that provide visibility without being garish or unpleasantly bright.  For this reason, feng shui experts often recommend including multiple sources of soft light rather than a single source of strong, bright light.  Science tells us that having multiple light sources in a room allows the eye to see depth and contour more easily, which means optimum visibility.  The lighting arrangements that feng shui suggest mimic the naturally multi-sourced light found in the outdoors, which is the kind of lighting situation that humans have evolved to  see best in.

When we can see everything in our space, we are more likely to be calm and relaxed for a very simple reason with an evolutionary basis.  Although few people in the modern world are consciously afraid of being attacked by a lion or other fierce marauder, our brains are wired to protect us by searching for predators.  When there are no blind spots or dark areas nearby, we can be certain that there are no dangerous predators hidden in the vicinity.  When you light a room according to the principles

Feng shui tradition dictates that it is important to use a series of soft lights in different areas of the room in order to allow the unhampered flow of positive energy throughout the space.  There is no way for science to evaluate whether this goal is achieved or not, but research can tell us that the lighting situation feng shui creates allows for maximum visibility, which in turn promotes relaxation, calm and happiness.

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