By Laura McKenna 

Being a student isn’t as easy as some people like to think. Sure, going to university was always going to involve studying laboriously to string together a half-decent degree, but many students have to juggle all kinds of commitments to convince employers that they’re well-rounded people. When they’re not listing the forgotten hours of ‘selfless’ voluntary work and unpaid internships on their CVs, students have to conform to a strict regime of socialising (or as most non-students would say, going out and causing absolute carnage).

It comes as no surprise that students become a little frazzled sometimes. ‘How do they ever find time to relax?’ I hear you say. Well that is a good question, because a lot of students don’t – but they should, and here’s how.

Two words: Feng Shui. If you haven’t heard of this before, then you have now. It’s a set of principles that govern spatial arrangement (or in normal language, where you put things). Some consider it an art, a science, in which negative energies can be eradicated if you just put your stuff in the right places.

When you think about it logically, there is a method in the madness of Feng Shui that could actually bring positive results to your mood and stress levels. So before you dismiss it, why not try some of these key tips in your bedroom:

1. First thing’s first – lose the gadgets. Get rid of your TV, hide your laptop, because you need time to switch off without electronic distractions. Keeping these devices around you during periods of relaxation could seriously upset the positive energy in your room.

2. Open your windows! Ventilation is key to creating a healthy arena for relaxation. Make sure your windows are open for at least 30 minutes a day to allow good airflow.

3. Use soft lighting. The best way to do this is by putting a lamp on your bedside table, or having dimmer switches and candles.

4. Let in natural light. Natural light encourages serenity, so avoid harsh ceiling lights where possible.

5. Position your bed as far away from the door as possible. This gives you good scope of the room and reinforces control of your surroundings – meaning you’ll be ready for any nasty surprises.