The ghost of a room – or: Why I rearranged the bookshelf and suddenly slept better

How does Feng Shui work from a neuroscientific perspective?

When your sofa has more to do with your brain than you think

It started on a rainy Tuesday. I was sitting in my study, staring at the screen – and feeling... blocked. My thoughts were racing, my coffee tasted bland, and my back hurt, even though I was sitting like an ergonomic poster child. In a spontaneous fit of “I need a change!”, I moved the bookcase 90 degrees. Then the desk. Then the armchair. Suddenly: air. Clarity. Flow.

Coincidence? Magic? Feng Shui?

What if ancient spatial wisdom like Feng Shui does exactly that – but in a way that our brains understand quite well?

Why this article?

This article is not a plea for water fountains in the living room or lucky crystals on the windowsill. It's about something more exciting: Could Feng Shui – this ancient teaching from ancient China – make neurobiological sense? And if so, what does that say about our brains? And about the spaces in which we live, think, work, and feel?

Welcome to a journey between incense sticks and resonance systems, between qi and cognitive coherence.

Part 1: What is Feng Shui really – and what of it is more than just esoteric decoration?

A brief flight through 3,000 years of spatial awareness

Feng Shui literally means “wind and water.” The ancient Chinese believed that when energy (qi) flows through spaces, we feel alive, safe, and clear. Sounds a bit like a placebo with dragons? Perhaps. But if we look at the core principles, it gets exciting:

• Yin and yang: the interplay of calm (yin) and activity (yang).

  
  

• Five elements: wood, fire, earth, metal, water – each with its own unique vibe.

  
  

• Bagua: a kind of energetic floor plan with living areas.

• Qi flow: rooms should be designed so that energy is not blocked or dispersed.

In the West, Feng Shui has often been reduced to a decorative concept – but it is more of a kind of environmental psychology in a kimono. And this is where neuroscience comes into play.

Part 2: Our brain, space, and the silent power of our surroundings

Why the brain cannot concentrate in chaos

Our brain is not a neutral observer – it is a scanner, a filter, an emotional radar. It evaluates spaces at lightning speed in terms of safety, order, light, and noise. A few facts from neuroarchitecture:

Space factor

Neurobiological effect

Bright light

Lifts mood, regulates sleep-wake cycle

High ceilings

Promotes creative thinking

Clearly structured spaces

Reduces stress levels, provides orientation

Natural elements

Lowers pulse and cortisol, promotes calm

We don't think in spaces. We think with them.

Part 3: Feng Shui meets neuroscience – and suddenly everything makes sense

1. Qi = sensory coherence

What Feng Shui calls “Qi” could be called “sensory coherence” from a neuroscientific perspective: everything fits together. Nothing bothers. Our brains love such environments – they give us a sense of control and orientation.

2. The Bagua = psychological space navigation

The Bagua assigns areas of life (relationships, career, health, etc.) to specific zones in a room. It sounds strange, but our brain loves spatial symbols. When we “move” topics to specific places, we unconsciously regulate our attention and emotions.

3. Yin and Yang = brain states

Yin zones (quiet, gentle) activate our default mode network – the brain network for dreaming, reflecting, and “switching off.” Yang zones (active, bright) activate the task positive network – for focus and action. Good Feng Shui? It switches between the two like a conductor.

4. The five elements = multisensory diversity

Each element represents a sensory experience:

element

Color

Shape

Effect on the brain

Wood

Green

Vertical

Promotes growth, creativity

Fire

Red

Triangle

Activates, energizes

Earth

Beige

Square

Provides support, stabilizes

Metal

White

Round

Clarifies, structures

Water

Blue

Flowing

Depth, emotion, relaxation

Multisensory diversity creates resonance in the brain. It says, “Something meaningful is happening here.”

Part 4: How Feng Shui influences your brain – in concrete terms

✅ Emotional security: Rooms with order, clarity, and clean lines calm our alarm system (amygdala).

✅ Clarity & focus: The famous “command position” (never sit with your back to the door) makes perfect neurobiological sense – we feel safer and think more clearly.

✅ Creativity: Rooms with multisensory diversity activate the creative brain – like a walk in the woods in your living room.

✅ Self-efficacy: People who actively design rooms experience control. And control means mental health.

Part 5: Feng Shui for real life – tips with brains

At home

• Bedroom: Yin zone. No screens. Earthy colors.

• Study: Yang energy. Daylight, plants, good view.

• Living room: Mix! Retreat + encounter.

At the office

• Desk: View of the door. Never with your back to the world!

• No open shelves behind you: brain in constant scan mode = stress.

• Plants = mini vacation for the brain

• 
  

For teams & leadership

• Spaces = culture. Open, transparent design shows: thinking is allowed here.

• Create zones: focus (yin), meetings (yang), creative zones (fire).

• Use colors consciously: for focus, relaxation, or energy.

Part 6: What about all the esoteric stuff?

Not everything that calls itself Feng Shui makes sense. But you can tell the difference:

Feng Shui component

Scientifically sound?

Neuropsychologically sound?

Room structure and lines of sight

Yes

Yes

Color design according to elements

Partially

Yes

Crystals for increasing wealth

No

Not really

Consciously design your relationship corner

Symbolic

Yes

Conclusion: Feng Shui is applied brain-friendliness

Ultimately, it's not about superstition – it's about awareness. It's about spaces that do us good. It's about environments where our brains don't run in emergency mode, but can flourish.

Feng Shui is not mystical – it's mostly humanly wise.

And sometimes, all it takes is rearranging a bookshelf to realize that.

👉 Next step: Take a tour of your favorite room. Imagine your brain is your roommate. Would you like to stay?