Nervus Vagus
Recently I stumbled upon the work of Stephen Porges, the father of the Polyvagal Theory.
The Vagus nerve is the biggest nerve in our body and (in very short) affects our stress and relaxation reflexes. ‘Fight or flight’ - or relaxation, you could say.
So what does the Nervus Vagus have to do with our homes, you might ask?
Some of you may know that I am also a classical homeopath and can combine Feng Shui with personal health. Over the years I realised what a big effect the health of our home has on our personal health. And that there is a strong interaction between home and health.
Our home is our safe haven. It is here where we ideally unwind, feel safe and be ourselves. It is here where we can be creative - be it with our cooking, with decoration, with art, music, writing or many other ways.
Our home has to function well for us in order to be soothing and replenishing. This has a positive effect on our CNS (central nervous system).
This starts, in fact, with a well designed home that takes the main Feng Shui principles into account:
- Does the Chi move freely and smoothly?
- Does it create a calm, relaxing space?
- Is there a good balance between Yin and Yang?
- Are the 5 Elements well represented and in their right place?
- Are the main rooms such as bathrooms, kitchen, bedrooms, living room, etc. in the right sectors according to the Bagua?
Imagine you come home to a cluttered space. You enter the gateway of your home and the first thing you see is an uncared for yard with bins, no plants, bikes blocking the entrance… You open the door and stumble over shoes. There is no space to hang your jacket so you throw it over the pile of other jackets and find your way - sidewards - to the living room… It looks like a bomb has exploded! The kitchen sink is full of dishes, the fridge is empty, there is dirt and a crack in the wall… (Shall I go on or do you feel enough stress in your body already by reading this? ;) )
Now imagine you come home form a long day at work. You enter the well cared yard with lovingly planted plants. Flowerpots with roses and lavender mark the entrance to invite you back home. You open the door and breathe deeply… BACK HOME! Your home welcomes you back into its loving, caring space. There is a gentle smell that marks your home (did you ever notice that every home has its own smell, just like a person?) The first things you see make you happy - a picture on the wall in the hall, a well picked wallpaper, a vase with fresh flowers, … Some people like minimalistic, very orderly spaces, others love the fullness and certain level of creative chaos - all good!
Well, I could go on but I’m sure you got the point!
Can you feel how both scenarios make you feel in your body right now? How one creates stress and the other one creates calmness?
Reflect on your home today - start with one aspect first such as the entrance. How does it make you feel? How does your body react? Does your energy level go up or down? How does your heart feel? Softening or closing? How does your belly feel? How is your breathing?
What is the one little thing you could do today, right now, to make your space more loving and inviting for you to feel more at home?
If there is anything you need my help with, please feel free to contact me.
Wishing you a lovely day,
Lioba