Feng Shui Today

Q&A with Sylvia Watson, FSII, and Connie Spruill, MA, FSII

Feng Shui to the Rescue: Cures for What Ails Nurses in Nursing Home

Dear Sylvia and Connie,

I am a registered nurse at a nursing home for the elderly. Some of the nurses have been complaining about the quality of air, especially on the Alzheimerâs Unit. It seems when a "bug" goes around with the residents, some nurses get it, too. Nothing has been done in terms of actually testing for "Sick Building Syndrome," but I am curious÷can feng shui help here?
Thanks.

Karen E.
Amherst, MA

Dear Karen,

Feng shui can definitely help improve the quality of air. Although many think of feng shui in terms of placement, positioning, balance, and harmony, feng shui is more importantly concerned with creating healthy environments!

It is for that reason that many feng shui certification programs now include the study of Bau-biologie÷the science concerned with the identification and reduction of indoor pollutants. Bau-biologie also promotes the "green" movement within the construction industry by promoting the use of natural rather than human-made building materials.

Early people learned to use nature as a guide for living. Feng shui principles provided a system that allowed them to choose the best location on which to build their dwellings so they wouldnât be damaged by high winds and inclement weather or washed away by high waters. Our ancestors also relied heavily on their five senses as a warning system. For example, they were able to identify harmful foods by the color; blue usually meant that the food was poisonous. Their sense of smell provided them with a tool to identify harmful scents and odors. Even in ancient times, the earth emitted toxic gases and vapors.

What many people may not realize is that the air we breathe inside our homes and buildings has become more polluted than outdoor air. This has come about due to energy conservation and the need to reduce building and maintenance costs. Here is the paradox: as we strive to insulate our homes and buildings in order to reduce our utility bills, we also reduce fresh air exchange and circulation. To compound the problem, the cheapest building materials÷including flooring, carpet, upholstered furniture, window treatments, paint, etc.÷are mainly synthetic and emit harmful gases and toxins such as formaldehyde, xylene, benzene, chloroform, and acetone, to name a few.

Karen, because you are in a commercial building, here are some other sources of pollutants that one seldom gives any thought to÷office equipment and supplies! Did you know that computer screens emit xylene, copiers emit trichloroethylene and benzene, and office correction fluid emits acetone?

Sadly, as we become technologically advanced, we develop illnesses and conditions that our predecessors never imagined. You named one of them, "Sick Building Syndrome." It is not uncommon for occupants in these sealed, unhealthy environments to suffer from colds, allergies, asthma, and headaches, as well as eye, nose, and throat irritations.

Here are some remedies that we would suggest the nursing home consider:

1. Have the ducts of the HVAC system cleaned÷the amount of dust that accumulates within a yearâs time is staggering. In feng shui terms, this is considered an unhealthy, extreme "yin" condition÷the ducts are dirty, dark, and dank.
2. Invest in an air purification system÷one that creates the proper balance of positive and negative ions.
3. Make sure the heating and cooling system provides for proper ventilation. In feng shui, a healthy space has good circulation.
4. Science has finally discovered natureâs air filtration system÷vegetation. We suggest the use of plants that have been researched by NASA to clean and improve air quality. For a list of cleansing plants that can be used inside a home or building, check out the book How to Grow Fresh Air by Dr. B.C. Woverton. Some mentioned include several of the Palm varieties, Rubber Plant, Corn Plant, and English Ivy.
5. Whenever the nursing home considers the purchase of new drapes, furniture, or carpeting, suggest the use of natural fibers such as cotton or wool. For hard floors, suggest wood, cork, ceramic tile, or linoleum.
6. If the facility has windows that donât open or, for safety reasons, are not allowed to be opened, then create the illusion of fresh air. Bring in art that has a "breezy" theme: e.g., sailboats, trees blowing in the wind, an open window, birds flying, or rustling autumn leaves.
7. Create vignettes in the nursesâ station that allude to fresh air: e.g., a silk plant with a miniature fan hidden behind it. Turn the fan on and watch the plant blow in the breeze.
8. When patients are not in their rooms, open the windows so fresh air can circulate freely.

As you can see, there are many recommendations that can be incorporated into the environment of the nursing home. Even though some suggested have to do with heating and cooling systems, many come from mother earth. Plants, fresh air, and natural fibers and materials are as useful today as in ancient times. Isnât it interesting that nature stills provides cures for what ails you!

Good luck with the suggestions.

-Sylvia and Connie

Sylvia Watson, FSII and Connie Spruill, MA, FSII are owners of Healing Environments with Feng Shui, Inc., and authors of Feng Shui with What You Have. Services include residential and business consultations, feng shui coaching, workshops, corporate seminars, and speakersâ bureau. They recently were selected to be managing directors of the Feng Shui Institute of America, LLC, (FSIA), the oldest American feng shui professional certification program.

For information about consultations, workshops, or speaking engagements, call 614-258-3299 or e-mail at healenvir@sbcglobal.net. If you are interested in becoming a feng shui professional, the next certification program will take place in Columbus, OH, June 26-30, 2004. Call 614-837-8370 or e-mail at windwater@windwater.com for more information.

Copyright © 2004, Sylvia Watson and Connie Spruill. All rights reserved.