Sleeping with the Flower of Life: study of the effects
In the United Kingdom, sleep patterns and related issues have been extensively studied, revealing significant insights into the nation's sleep health. According to a study by Direct Line Life Insurance, over 7.5 million UK adults (14%) sleep for less than five hours per night, a level considered dangerously low and detrimental to both mental and physical health.
The NHS recommends that adults aim for 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night to maintain optimal health. (The Scottish Sun). However, a survey by Premier Inn found that only a third of respondents feel they get enough quality sleep, averaging six hours and 53 minutes per night, with just over half of it being uninterrupted. (The Sun)
Sleep disorders are also prevalent in the UK. The Sleep Charity reports that over 14 million people may have undiagnosed sleep disorders, which can damage health, fuel dangerous behaviour, and incur significant economic costs.
Factors contributing to poor sleep include the use of electronic devices before bedtime, stress, and lifestyle choices. The NHS highlights that exposure to blue light from screens can interfere with the production of melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep, making it harder to fall asleep. (Mental Health UK)
These findings underscore the importance of addressing sleep health in the UK, as insufficient sleep is linked to various health issues, including cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and mental health disorders. Public health initiatives and individual lifestyle changes are essential to improve sleep quality and overall well-being.
The consequences of lack of sleep
Lack of sleep has devastating effects on physical, mental, and emotional health.
On a cognitive level, studies show that insufficient sleep impairs concentration, memory, and decision-making, increasing the risk of errors and accidents, especially at work or on the road (National Sleep Foundation).
On a physical level, lack of sleep is linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes, as it disrupts metabolism and promotes the release of stress hormones like cortisol (Mayo Clinic).
The effects on mental health are equally concerning: research shows that chronic sleep deprivation doubles the risk of depression and anxiety by impairing emotion regulation and affecting neurotransmitters essential for well-being (Harvard Medical School). In short, sleeping less than the recommended seven to eight hours per night not only affects daily well-being, but has long-term repercussions that can seriously compromise overall health.
Good practices for better sleep
To improve the quality of your sleep, adopting good practices is essential. First of all, it is recommended to maintain a regular sleep routine by going to bed and getting up at the same times every day, even on weekends. Creating an environment conducive to sleep is also crucial: the bedroom should be quiet, dark and cool, with comfortable bedding. Limiting exposure to screens at least one hour before bedtime also helps, as blue light inhibits the production of melatonin, the sleep hormone. In addition, avoiding caffeine and alcohol in the evening promotes faster falling asleep and better quality sleep. Meditation, breathing exercises, and relaxing activities such as reading or soft music are also excellent ways to calm the mind before bed.
In addition, some people find great relief in the use of mandalas or sacred geometry symbols, such as the Flower of Life, placed in the bedroom. These symbols, known for their harmonizing properties, can help create a serene and balanced atmosphere. By focusing attention on these geometric shapes, it becomes easier to release tension and promote a state of mind conducive to deep, restorative sleep.
The virtues of the Flower of Life on sleep
The Flower of Life is an ancient sacred geometry symbol known for its harmonizing properties, often used to promote relaxation and improve sleep. This intricate, symmetrical pattern is believed to help balance energies and create a calming environment that is conducive to deep, restorative rest. According to Robert Lawlor’s Sacred Geometry, sacred geometry, including the Flower of Life, has a calming effect due to its visual balance and representation of universal harmony.
While few specific studies have focused on the Flower of Life, research on visualization and meditation shows that exposure to repetitive geometric shapes promotes a state of mental calm, ideal for preparing for sleep. The National Sleep Foundation recommends incorporating relaxing visual practices, such as visualizing geometric patterns, to soothe the nervous system before bed (sleepfoundation.org). In short, placing the Flower of Life in a bedroom or using it in meditation before going to sleep can help reduce stress, release tension, and improve the quality of sleep thanks to its balancing and soothing properties.
In order to better understand the potential effects of the Flower of Life on sleep, we have launched a study among our French readership. This questionnaire, composed of five questions, aims to collect the impressions and personal experiences of users of the Flower of Life in their sleep routine. We hope to obtain concrete feedback on the influence of this symbol in the daily lives of our readers, in particular on the quality of their rest. The results of this survey will allow us to enrich our understanding and share practical observations on the benefits of the Flower of Life.
Survey results
The first question I asked you was: "Do you use the Flower of Life to sleep"?
As of 04/11/2024, 34.2% of you answered yes.
For those who answered "yes" to the first question, here are the answers to the following questions:
Second question: "If yes, which support do you use? Mat, disk or other (specify)?"
- At 80% you use a harmonizing disk.
- At 10% you use a mat (mouse pad or harmonizing mat)
- At 10% you use a sticker
Third question: "Where do you place it?"- There was a multiple choice
- At 50% you answered under your pillow-
- At 10% under your mattress
- At 40% elsewhere (on a wall or other)
Fourth question: "What are the effects on your sleep?"
Here are the answers that stand out the most :
- Faster sleep
- Deeper sleep
- Fewer nightmares (and protection perhaps)
- Serenity
- Restorative sleep
And for a minority of answers, you indicate that it is variable or that there is not much improvement because other things interfere.
And the fifth and final question, "Do you use any other symbols?
Not everyone answered this question but what emerges is either that:
• You do not use other symbols or,
• That you use the Tree of Life, the Sri Yantra, the Metatron's Cube, the symbols of the chakras or even certain mandalas.
According to the results obtained, it is clear that the vast majority of you feel beneficial effects by sleeping with the Flower of Life. To be honest, I expected a little more diverse feedback. Perhaps with more responses to the questionnaire, more nuanced opinions will emerge!
For those who do not use the Flower of Life for sleep, I still received varied feedback. Some of you prefer Bach Flowers, lavender, passionflower, or even medications to promote sleep.
Please note that you can place your Bach Flowers, essential oils or even your treatments on a Flower of Life harmonizing disc before using them. This allows you to energize them by re-informing your elixirs or oils, to reinforce their effects.
What does science say?
Science is increasingly interested in wellness practices and alternative techniques to improve sleep, although specific research on symbols like the Flower of Life is still scarce. However, studies on related topics, such as the effects of geometric shapes, visualization, and meditation, provide interesting insights.
1. Effects of mandalas and geometry on mental relaxation: A study published in Frontiers in Psychology shows that the use of repetitive patterns, such as mandalas, can induce a state of mental relaxation by helping to reduce stress and stabilize mood. This contributes to better preparation for sleep.
2. Benefits of meditation for sleep: According to a study in JAMA Internal Medicine, mindfulness meditation can significantly improve the quality of sleep, especially in those who suffer from insomnia. By focusing on geometric shapes or symbols, it is possible to create a meditative routine that promotes sleep (JAMA Network).
3. Harmonization and energetic resonance of symbols: Resonance theory explains that harmonious geometric shapes can influence our mental state. Bioenergetic researchers, such as those cited by the Institute of Noetic Sciences, are studying how specific patterns can affect our energy, with preliminary results suggesting benefits on general well-being (Institute of Noetic Sciences).
4. Use of essential oils and Bach Flowers in relaxation: According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), certain practices such as the use of lavender and flower essences (such as Bach Flowers) have proven relaxing effects, supporting calm and peaceful states of mind conducive to falling asleep (NCCIH).
In conlusion
In conclusion, I would like to express my most sincere thanks to all those who took the time to respond to our questionnaire. Your feedback is very rich and allows us to deepen our understanding of the effects of the Flower of Life and associated practices on sleep. Each response counts and helps to shed light on this fascinating subject, in addition to strengthening our bond with our community of readers.
If you have not yet had the opportunity to participate and would like to contribute to our survey, we invite you to do so by clicking on the following link:
We would also be delighted to read your testimonials and feedback.
Feel free to share your thoughts, tips or personal results by leaving a comment directly on the blog. Your participation enriches our discussion and allows everyone to learn new perspectives, thus creating a space for exchanges around well-being and sacred geometry. Thank you again for your commitment and support!
First publication date: 01/26/2022
Article updated on 11/04/2024