Many of us struggle to find the ideal position for a peaceful slumber when it comes to getting a good night’s sleep. You know you’re supposed to sleep in a cool room with few distractions and on a comfortable mattress that doesn’t slide.
You’re also aware that you should avoid stimulants like alcohol and caffeine before going to bed. But how much do you know about sleeping positions and how the direction you sleep affects your sleep quality?
The concept that sleeping style influences how well a person sleeps stems from ancient feng shui and Vastu Shastra principles. While there is still much research being conducted into these theories, many people believe that certain sleeping styles make a difference.
For example, sleeping facing west or pointing their head towards the northern or southern hemispheres can provide them with a good night’s rest and more energy in the morning.[1]
Here’s everything you need to know about sleeping in bed, including body and head positioning.
The Best Sleeping Positions According to Ancient Beliefs
Many people rely on ancient practises to determine which sleeping positions promote deep sleep. People would conduct random web searches, such as “Which direction should your bed face?” or “Which direction should I sleep in according to Hindu, Feng Shui, and Vastu Shastra?”
Feng shui is a practise taken from China, which indicates that energy and placement in your everyday life can help you achieve different levels of balance. There is also a lot of discussion about the sleeping style that is based on Vastu Shastra. Vastu Shastra is an Indian practise that examines architectural balance and science.
While both practises have different histories, they both believe that the way spaces are designed can affect how your body reacts to things. Each practise is also based on the four natural directions of north, south, east, and west, as well as the five major elements.
If you’re wondering which direction to sleep in scientifically, Vastu is a better option because it’s more thoroughly researched.
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Vastu Shastra and Sleeping With Your Head to the South
Vastu Shastra is a concept that focuses on space and how it affects health and wellness. These principles are frequently employed in Indian architecture.
When it comes to sleeping direction, it is believed that your bedroom interacts with the elements of the earth to influence your well-being. According to Vastu Shastra, sleeping with the head pointing south is best.
A north-to-south position for your body, where you sleep with your head facing north, on the other hand, is considered the worst direction. This is because the human head is thought to have a polar attraction. [2]
It must face south in order to attract opposite poles while sleeping. This is related to the concept of the earth’s magnetic field, as well as the northern and southern hemispheres.
Hindus customarily leave corpses awaiting cremation with the head pointing north, believing that this is the direction the soul takes when leaving the body behind. It’s considered an unsuitable position for the head to be in while sleeping, and many people believe that sleeping with your head angled north will cause nightmares.
A person who sleeps with his or her head pointing north will not get a good night’s sleep. This is because the north of the ear and the human head are both positively charged; the two magnetic field points play havoc on the mind.
According to Vastu Shastra, if you sleep with your head pointing north, you’re more likely to wake up feeling like you’re not getting enough sleep or suffering from sleep disorders.
Which way should we turn our heads while sleeping?
Interestingly, the benefits of Vastu Shastra for managing your sleep position require more clinical support, but researchers have observed positive results from recommending a night sleeping with your head pointing south.
Hindus even believe that sleeping with your head to the south lowers your risk of developing high blood pressure. If you sleep facing west, on the other hand, you’re more likely to have a restless night’s sleep because you’re facing the direction of striving.
If you choose a sleep direction that faces east, you may get a better night’s sleep, especially if you’re trying to improve your memory. Teens prefer sleeping in the east because they need to replenish their memory after a long day of studying. It is said that sleeping with your head pointing east promotes meditative sleep.
Choosing a position that points your head south, on the other hand, is intended to promote deeper, heavier sleep of longer duration for the best night’s sleep.
Because the south is negatively charged in comparison to the north, there is a harmonious attraction between your head and your chosen direction. Positive energy will not be drawn away from you in this manner.
Read More – A Comprehensive Guide to Get More Deep Sleep
According to Feng Shui, which direction is the best to sleep in?
If you’re still unsure about which direction to sleep in, you should think about your feng shui bed position. Feng shui, like Vastu, is concerned with the space in which you sleep and how it affects your overall sleeping quality.
However, this practise is usually more concerned with how the elements of your environment affect your chi.
Ancient feng shui practitioners also prefer southward energy because they believe that’s where the warm winds of positive energy come from.
Although the principles of the best sleeping direction from feng shui are only anecdotal, they can help a lot of people sleep better.
Most practitioners in this field will advise you to position your bed away from doors and windows to promote chi flow while you sleep.[3]
So, if we’re in the United Kingdom, which way should we sleep? To get the most restful night’s sleep, most experts still recommend sleeping with your head angled towards the south or east. Sleeping with your head turned to the east may also promote greater creativity and motivation.
Myth of Sleeping Facing North
Many people believe that sleeping with one’s head to the north is the best way to sleep. However, both Vastu practitioners and feng shui experts disagree with this concept. They believe that sleeping with your head in the northern hemisphere is the worst sleep position.
If you have blood-related issues, such as anaemia, sleeping with your head facing north is not the best option. When you position your body horizontally, your pulse rate decreases, preventing too much blood from entering your head.
Many people believe that sleeping with your head to the north will increase pressure on your brain due to the magnetic pull of this sleeping position.
Some people believe that if you’re over a certain age and your blood vessels are particularly weak, sleeping in the north will not only harm your energy levels but also increase your chances of haemorrhages and certain types of strokes. You may also find that you wake up feeling more frustrated than if your head was pointing east.
This is due to increased circulation in your brain. Obviously, it’s unlikely that you’ll die if you sleep with your head angled north rather than east or south. However, many natural medicine practitioners advise avoiding the north if possible.
Sleeping with your head turned away from the north may be preferable. If you live in the southern hemisphere, however, you can disregard that advice because you’re approaching the subject from the opposite direction.
Which Sleep Position Is the Best?
Choosing the best sleeping position each night isn’t always easy. You’ll need to consider what works best for you. While there isn’t much information on the question of “Which side should we face while sleeping?” there is a lot of advice on which direction your head should be pointing.
The way you sleep, according to Ayurvedic medicine and various natural health strategies, can affect everything – from your risk of illness to your overall sense of well-being.
If you want to wake up with the most energy possible, supported by magnetic fields in the earth and proper alignment of your living space, avoid the north direction.
Sleeping with your head turned north may increase your chances of experiencing problems with blood circulation, as well as stress. However, if you spend your nights sleeping with your head turned east or south, you may notice a significant increase in your energy, concentration, and mood.
Some experts believe that sleeping in the east is the best overall sleeping direction because it aids in meditation and concentration. However, if you sleep in the south direction, you can achieve happiness and contentment as well. Choose east if you want to improve your focus, and south if you want to sleep better.
