Good sleep improves one’s overall health and well-being. While the number of hours one should sleep varies according to age and other factors, most people should sleep between 7 and 9 hours per night. At the same time, the quality of sleep is an important factor in achieving optimal health.
Getting enough sleep at night is essential for the body and makes you feel refreshed to start the day. To ensure a restful night’s sleep, it is critical to consider not only how your bedroom is designed, but also the sleeping direction, or the direction you face when you sleep. The ancient system of Vastu Shastra prescribes specific rules for the best way to sleep, which can have a significant impact on a person’s physical and mental health.
Quick facts: The best ways to sleep
| The best direction to sleep according to Vastu | South |
| Scientifically determining the best sleeping position | South |
| Sleeping direction to avoid | North |
| Best direction to sleep for couples | South or southwest |
| Best direction to sleep for students | East |
| Benefits of sleeping facing south. | Lowers blood pressure, decreases anxiety, promotes restful sleep, attracts wealth and prosperity. |
| Best direction for the master bedroom. | Southwest |
| Best time to wake up | During the Brahma muhurta, an auspicious time before sunrise |
Best Direction to Sleep
Best direction to sleep as per Vastu Shastra
In the northern hemisphere, the best sleeping direction is south, while in the southern hemisphere, the ideal head position is north. The theory is based on recent research.
Ensuring the best sleeping position, according to Vastu, will improve one’s physical and mental health. However, the rules for sleeping with the head in a specific direction may differ between hemispheres. So, the ideal Vastu sleeping position may be directly related to the earth’s magnetic pull.
Best sleeping direction in the Northern Hemisphere
To begin, we must understand how magnetic fields and electromagnetic energies affect our health. Both the earth and the human body contain magnetic poles. Our planet has magnetic poles running north-south, with the positive pole in the north and the negative pole in the south. Because of the earth’s magnetic pull, sleeping in the direction of the north can cause the two positive poles to repel one another.
According to Vastu principles, the best directions to sleep are east and south, with the head facing east or south and the legs pointing west or north. It’s also the scientific way to sleep. If sleeping facing east or south is not an option, you can face northeast or west instead. Avoid sleeping with your head facing north.
If you are in the northern hemisphere, these are the best directions for sleeping. Thus, it is critical to position the bed in a way that promotes good energy flow and ensures quality sleep.
Best sleeping direction in the southern hemisphere
The best sleeping direction, according to Vastu Shastra, depends on which hemisphere you live in. If you live in the southern hemisphere, you must understand the effects of magnetic fields. So, according to Vastu, which direction should you sleep in if you are in this hemisphere? One can sleep with the head pointing in any direction except south.
Thus, according to Vastu Shastra, the recommended sleeping directions for the southern hemisphere are north, east, and west.
Why is east the best sleeping direction in Vastu?
Meditation and other spiritual activities are thought to benefit from facing east, the direction of the rising sun. It improves memory and concentration. Sleeping with one’s head pointing east and feet pointing west ensures sound sleep. Aligning the bed in the children’s room towards the east promotes healthy development. According to Ayurveda, sleeping facing east balances the three doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha).
Why is the south the best direction to sleep?
Sleeping facing south has a number of health benefits:
Lowers blood pressure.
Helps nerve cells rejuvenate.
eliminates sleep deprivation and anxiety problems.
Promotes restful sleep and attracts wealth and prosperity through Vastu principles.
Sleeping towards the south is ideal based on magnetic field theory. Furthermore, south is the direction of Lord Yama, the god of death. If the feet point south instead of up, it can cause bad dreams and negative thoughts, as well as shorten one’s life. Furthermore, some studies show that animals like cattle and deer naturally align themselves north-south while eating or resting.
Sleeping direction and placement of bed as per Feng Shui
To promote positive energy known as Chi, avoid placing the bed directly beneath any overhead beams, windows, or other objects.
Positioned the bed directly against a wall, so that the door is visible but not directly in line.
According to Feng shui, this places you in a commanding position and provides you with the best sleeping direction.
If the bed cannot be placed on the opposite wall, hang a mirror to allow you to see the door.
Place the bed so that your feet do not point towards the door.
Keep auspicious artwork and plants that can convert negative energies (Sha Chi) into positive energies (Chi).
Colours of Bedroom as per Vastu and Feng Shui
| Direction | Element | Colour scheme | Significance |
| East | Wood | Green | Family, health and growth |
| West | Metal | White or grey | Creativity and children |
| North | Water | Black or blue | Career and life path |
| South | Fire | Red | Power, fame and reputation |
According to Vastu shastra, the color scheme should be chosen in such a way that it addresses the three types of doshas – vata, pitta, and kapha – while also representing various natural elements.
The green and yellow color scheme is ideal for those with vata dosha (air).
The colour combination blue and green is appropriate for pitta dosha (fire and water).
The red and violet colour scheme is ideal for the kapha dosha (earth and water).
So, in addition to ensuring the proper sleeping position according to Vastu, you can make appropriate changes to the room’s color scheme to boost positive vibes.
Which direction to sleep scientifically?
The sleeping direction is designed to prevent geomagnetic interference. The earth is a massive magnet. When we sleep in a horizontal position, our pulse rate drops immediately. The body adjusts to the new position because if blood is pumped at the same level, excess supply will be directed to the head, causing damage.
Some scientific studies suggest that humans may be sensitive to the earth’s electromagnetic energies. Sleeping with your head to the south has been shown to significantly lower blood pressure and improve sleep quality.
According to one scientific study, changes in participants’ brain waves were observed when they were exposed to manipulated electromagnetic fields, implying that humans may be sensitive to the earth’s magnetic energies. Given the effect of the earth’s magnetic fields on our bodies, the south is the best direction to sleep.
According to a 2009 study conducted by the Department of Physiology at the Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, those sleeping with their heads turned south had the lowest systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate, and serum cortisol levels.
Sleeping Direction to avoid North
According to Vastu, sleeping in the north is not optimal. As a result, sleeping with one’s head facing north is not recommended. Because of the influence of the earth’s magnetic energies, sleeping in this direction can cause blood pressure fluctuations and make it difficult for the heart to pump blood. In comparison to those that run down, blood vessels that reach the brain have a fine hair-like arrangement. It is thought that in some cases there is a risk of haemorrhage. Furthermore, the blood contains iron, and the magnetic pull of sleeping to the north attracts iron, which has an effect on the brain. Sleeping toward the north for five to six hours can disrupt blood circulation and lead to health problems.
According to research, some people who sleep in the north-south position may take longer to reach the rapid eye movement (REM) sleep stage, which is critical for cognitive functioning, emotional well-being, and general health. Those who slept in an east-west orientation, on the other hand, entered the REM phase sooner.
Best direction for sleeping for couples
When designing a bedroom for couples, it is critical to keep certain Vastu principles in mind. It is recommended to position the bed in the south or south-west. Furthermore, according to Vastu, the wife must sleep on her husband’s left side in order to maintain a happy marital relationship. Couples sleep best with their heads pointing south, south-east, or south-west.
Furthermore, remove any objects that may be impeding the flow of energies and are unrelated to the relationship. For example, electronic devices such as computers are not recommended in the bedroom. Instead, place items that will improve the relationship, such as elephant figurines. These are a few factors to consider when deciding which direction to sleep in for couples.
The ideal sleep position for pregnant women is on their left side, which improves blood flow between the heart, fetus, uterus, and kidneys. The left side sleep position also relieves pressure on the liver.
Best way to sleep in the master bedroom
According to Vastu Shastra, the best sleeping direction is east or south, which promotes sound and restful sleep.
According to Vastu Shastra rules, the master bedroom should be built in the south-west corner of the house. Ensure that the bed’s headboard is facing south or west, so that your legs point north or east while sleeping.
Sleeping direction and its effects according to Ayurveda
Vastu Shastra and Ayurveda, an ancient and alternative system of medicine, emphasize the importance of sleeping in the best direction to maximize health benefits.
According to Ayurveda, sleeping on one’s left side promotes good health and overall well-being. Sleeping in this direction promotes easy breathing, improves circulation, and reduces pressure on the heart. Sleeping sideways is the best way to sleep because it increases the flow of prana, or life force in the body.
According to Ayurveda, sleeping on the side activates both the right nostril (Surya Nadi) and the left nostril (Chandra Nadi). It keeps the body’s cells awake and aligned with divine consciousness, while also protecting the body and mind. Avoid sleeping on your stomach.
Sleeping direction and useful tips to follow
Vastu shastra emphasizes the importance of ensuring the proper sleeping direction in order to sleep soundly. Similarly, Feng Shui, an ancient Chinese practice, establishes guidelines to improve positive energy flow in the home. Positive energies, also known as Chi, can be enhanced by properly arranging the bedroom’s various elements. Here are some helpful tips for ensuring the proper sleeping position and direction.
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- According to feng shui, the bed should not be placed against a wall or below any windows.
- Make sure the bed is placed on a wall opposite the bedroom door, but not parallel to it. This is known as the commanding position.
- Vastu and Feng Shui recommend sleeping in a position where your feet do not point towards the door.
- Design your bedroom with plants and auspicious paintings to improve energy flow and eliminate negative energies, or sha chi.
- Keep the room free of clutter, including electronic devices such as computers and other gadgets. This will increase the flow of positive energy. The earth’s electromagnetic fields can affect the quality of sleep. Therefore, such items should be kept out of the bedroom.
- Couples should not keep such gadgets or work desks. They must design their bedroom with elements that encourage the flow of positive chi energy. This will benefit relationships and promote harmony in life.
- According to Vastu, burning Karpoor (camphor) every day before sleeping promotes good sleep, reduces stress, and provides other health benefits.
- There should be no overhead beams or windows behind the headboard, as these can interfere with sleep quality.
Tips for sound sleep and getting up early
Follow a Sleep Schedule : Set a sleep schedule and aim to get seven to nine hours of sleep per day. Make it a habit to go to bed and wake up early so your body can gradually adjust to this routine.
Roll to the right side : When getting out of bed, roll to your right side. Because the body is in a state of relaxation, it is best to avoid rolling to the left and putting stress on the cardiovascular system.
Rub your palms together : Before getting up, rub your palms together and place them over your eyes. It stimulates all nerve endings and helps you get out of sleep mode. According to popular belief, rubbing palms and placing them on the eyes allows one to see God.
Best Time to Wake Up
Ayurvedic experts recommend that people wake up based on their prakriti, or body and mind constitution. However, sacred texts and ancient traditions state that one should awaken during the Brahma muhurta, which is an auspicious period before sunrise. Getting up early in the morning improves mental health, memory, concentration, and overall well-being.
Is it better to sleep on the back?
If you have neck or back pain, you should consider your sleeping position. If you wake up with tingling arms or neck pain, it could be the result of an incorrect sleeping position. The ideal sleeping position for preventing back pain is to lie flat on one’s back. To ensure proper spine alignment, place a pillow beneath your head or neck and another beneath your knees. Pregnant women must avoid this sleeping position because it reduces blood flow to the heart and baby.
Best sleeping direction according to Hindu scriptures
According to the ancient Sanskrit text Sushruta Samhita, the head should face east while sleeping. If one sleeps with their legs facing south, they lose prana, or life force. Jaivik ūrjā refers to the flow of organic energy from north to south. Prana enters the body through the feet, while the soul enters the fetus through the head.
According to the Mahabharata, Lord Krishna advises Yudhisthira to sleep with his head towards the south and his legs towards the north.
yatha svakīyānyajināni sarve saṁstīrya vīrāḥ siṣupurdharaṇyām agastaśastām (dakṣiṇām) abhito diśaṁ tu
śīrāṁsi teṣāṁ kurusattamānām
What is the healthiest sleeping position?
The optimal sleeping position or direction is one that promotes healthy spinal alignment. However, the ideal sleeping position is determined by one’s health. Scientifically speaking, sleeping on the side or back is preferable to sleeping on the stomach.
Side sleeping is recommended for pregnant women, the elderly, and people with conditions such as acid reflux, back pain, sleep apnea, and so on.
Sleeping on the left side is also recommended in Ayurveda because it promotes easy breathing and improves body functions. Many people wonder which side to sleep on according to Vastu. It is important to remember the Vastu recommended sleeping direction while ensuring a comfortable sleeping position.
Is sleeping on the left side bad for your heart?
According to health experts, sleeping on the left side may be beneficial for some people, such as pregnant women or those suffering from acid reflux. Furthermore, sleeping on the right side is considered ideal and is especially beneficial for those with heart conditions. According to research, the position of the heart shifts due to gravity pull when lying on one’s left side while sleeping. This may affect the electrical activity of the heart, as seen in electrocardiograms. On the other hand, sleeping on the right side causes the tissues and structures between the lungs to hold the heart in place, resulting in normal ECG readings.
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