Middle Eastern Journal of Disability Studies

Abstract
Background & Objectives: The interaction of energy in the environment is a scientific perspective on Feng Shui, a philosophy rooted in China. Feng Shui is the way of arranging and placing buildings and elements in an environment. It aims to realize physical environments that encourage well–being through the use of flowing energy. Environmental psychology is a scientific discipline that studies how to design environments that promote mental health by meeting users' needs, reducing their stress, and facilitating their activities to improve their well–being. Firstly, this article was conducted to investigate the role of Feng Shui factors in reducing stress and improving the mental health of the environment. Secondly, a critical comparison has been made between environmental psychology research and the theory and structures of feng shui, focusing on the two main concepts of environmental restoration and control, with a focus on reducing stress and promoting environmental mental health. These two aspects were selected by environmental psychology and feng shui as two related features.
Methods: The methodology was the critical comparison. In this method, the researcher made a critical comparison of feng shui and environmental psychology. The interviewees were selected from professors at Tehran universities in Tehran City, Iran, due to their ease of access and their having published articles on stress reduction in different environments (residential, office buildings, etc.). They were asked to examine the subjects (feng shui and environmental psychology), the reason for the comparison, and how to compare feng shui across different places, and how to reduce environmental stress from their point of view. Then, the purpose of each author regarding this idea or topic of comparison, the way each author argues from the presentation of each topic, the examination of the key points of similarity and difference in the compared subjects, the consequences of each author's position, and the examination of the key points of similarity and difference in the subjects of comparison were studied. Thirdly, the importance of each author's ideas in the conclusion and the consequences of each author's argument have been investigated.
Results: Feng shui concepts are designed to create a pleasant atmosphere and balance between the natural and human environment, and feng shui concepts emphasize the balance and harmony of physical forms and spatial arrangement. In this way, these elements can either increase or decrease a specific type of energy. Achieving a balance between different energies is also possible. If feng shui is used properly, it helps balance the flow of energy in the environment and can create an environment with maximum energy, health, and harmony. The restorative quality of an environment defines the potential of design elements for therapeutic performance, reducing fatigue and cognitive stress. However, in other research, such as Evans's (2004), the element of high control does not increase significantly when people are placed in the same space, nor do levels of positive emotions or people's harmony. The control aspect also plays an important role in the feng shui discipline. In fact, feng shui design guidelines emphasize the influence of perception of control on human well–being and psychological balance.
On the other hand, the lack of control is often associated with stress and threatens the individual's need to interact effectively with the interior space. In addition, long–term exposure to uncontrollable environmental conditions is associated with learned helplessness, so a lack of control can have negative consequences for the user's health. Therefore, design guidelines often emphasize the flexibility and responsiveness of the environment, the importance of privacy, and the ability to regulate social interaction.
Conclusion: One of the main ways the environment affects humans is through its physical effects on the body. There are different ways to do this, including feng shui, which is available to everyone. Through the two principles of restoration and control in feng shui, a supportive environment can be created, thereby reducing people's stress.