To ensure adequate sleep at night is vital for the body and makes you feel rejuvenated to start a new day. Hence, ensuring a restful night’s sleep, it is important to check not just how your bedroom is designed but also the sleeping direction i.e., the direction you face when you sleep. The ancient system of Vastu Shastra recommends certain rules on the best direction to sleep, which can have a significant effect on a person’s physical and mental health. According to Vastu Shastra, the head should be towards east direction while sleeping to gain positive energies from the rising sun in this direction. However, Vastu recommends keeping the head aligned towards the south direction, which is the best direction to sleep. Let us delve further into the Vastu principles on sleeping directions and their effects.
Sleeping direction and its significance in Vastu
A good and restful sleep at night is essential for a healthy body, focus and concentration, better immunity against illnesses, increased productivity at work and overall happiness. Vastu Shastra emphasises the impact of the earth’s magnetic fields on sleeping positions and on our lives. Besides, the physical surroundings also influence the quality of sleep.
According to Vastu, sleeping in the right direction and the correct placement of the bed ensures the alignment of energies and helps achieve good health. Studies show that animals also naturally align themselves in the south-facing direction.
South is considered the best sleeping direction as it naturally aligns us with the earth’s magnetic field. On the other hand, sleeping in the wrong direction can lead to misfortune besides health issues like sleeping complications, aging, etc.
|
Direction |
Significance |
Benefits |
Deities ruling the direction |
Elements associated with the direction |
| North | Not suitable for sleeping | No benefits | Kubera, god of wealth | Water (Jal) |
| East | Favourable direction for sleeping. Direction of the rising sun, storehouse of energy | Boosts memory and concentration | Indra, king of devatas and god of the sky, rain and storms | Air (Vayu) |
| West | Neutral direction for sleeping. | Brings success in career or business | Varuna, god of rains | Space (Akash) |
| South | Favourable direction for sleeping. Associated with positive energy, happiness and wealth. | Improves sleep quality | Yama, lord of justice and death | Fire (Agni) |
| Northeast | Not suitable for sleeping | Can cause sickness and disturbances | Ishan, the god of time, birth, death and resurrection | Water and Air |
| Southeast | Not suitable for sleeping. Associated with fire element | Can lead to restlessness and anxiety | Agni, god of fire | Fire |
| Northwest | Neutral sleeping direction | Neutral effect | Vayu, god of wind | Earth (Prithvi) |
| Southwest | Favourable direction for sleeping. | Promotes stability and tranquillity. | Niruti, god of death, sorrow and decay | Air |
Quick Vastu tips on sleeping direction
- Best direction to sleep: South
- Alternative direction to sleep: East
- Sleeping direction for different individuals:
- Couples: Southwest
- Pregnant women: South
- Students: East
- Children: East
- Elderly people: Southeast
- Sleeping direction for wealth: South
- Sleeping direction for career growth: West
- Sleeping direction for good health: South
- Directions to avoid while sleeping: North, northeast and southeast
- Neutral directions for sleeping: West and Southwest
In the above Vastu chart, the best directions to sleep are represented.
- Green tick denotes the best sleeping direction (in northern hemisphere)
- Red cross denotes the sleeping directions to avoid as per Vastu
Benefits of sleeping towards south direction
- Aligns with the magnetic field: Sleeping with the head towards the south aligns the body with the earth’s magnetic field, ensuring stability and good health.
- Sound sleep: Sleeping towards the south direction brings sound and restful sleep.
- Health benefits: It lowers blood pressure, rejuvenates nerve cells, promotes deep and restful sleep and eliminates sleep deprivation and anxiety.
- Attracts wealth and prosperity: Sleeping towards south direction helps attracts wealth and prosperity as per Vastu Shastra.
Benefits of sleeping towards east direction
- Positive energy flow: Sleeping with the head towards the east aligns the body with the earth’s natural magnetic forces and the energy of the rising sun.
- Boosts health: It boosts one’s physical health, rejuvenation and clarity of thought. It improves memory and concentration levels.
- Promotes growth: Aligning the bed in the kids’ room towards east promotes their healthy growth.
- Spiritual wellness: Sleeping towards the east direction promotes spiritual well-being and positive vibes, creating a favourable environment for meditation and spiritual practices.
- Balances doshas: Sleeping towards the east direction while sleeping balances the three doshas – Vata, Pitta and Kapha, according to Ayurveda.
Sleeping towards west direction and its impact
- Stress: Sleeping with the head towards the west may result in emotional stress and anxiety in the individual.
- Low energy levels: Sleeping in the west direction can cause unrest and interfere with an unbroken sleep and may result in laziness and lack of motivation. It can impact one’s energy levels and affect performance at work due to poor sleep quality.
- Physical health: Sleeping towards the west direction can cause geopathic stress and interfere with the earth’s electromagnetic field, thus affecting overall health. It can also disrupt the natural blood flow and energy levels.
- Success: For some people, sleeping towards the West may be beneficial and bring success and career growth. One can consult a Vastu expert to know what works best for them.
- Ideal for guest bedroom: As per Vastu, the west direction may be suitable for the placement of a bed in a guest room.
- Promotes negative thoughts: South is the direction of Lord Yama, the god of death. If the feet are towards the South instead of the head, it can lead to bad dreams and negative thoughts and decrease the lifespan.
Why should you avoid north direction for sleeping?
Magnetic disturbance
Sleeping with the head towards the north can disrupt the body’s magnetic alignment. Our planet has magnetic poles running from north to south, with the positive pole in the north and the negative pole in the south. Due to the magnetic pull of the earth, sleeping in direction like north can make the two positive poles repel each other.
Potential health issues
Sleeping with head towards north can cause variation in the blood pressure and make it difficult for the heart to pump blood. The blood vessels reaching up to the brain have a fine hair-like arrangement as compared to those running down. It is believed that in some cases, there is risk of haemorrhage. Further, the blood contains iron and the magnetic pull when sleeping towards the north attracts iron, causing an impact on the brain. Sleeping towards the north direction, for five to six hours, can disrupt blood circulation and lead to health problems, including headaches.
Impact on sleep quality
As per research, some people who sleep in the north-south position may take longer to each the rapid eye movement (REM), a sleep stage that is crucial for cognitive functioning, emotional well-being, and overall health. On the other hand, those who slept in east-west position entered the REM phase earlier.
See also: Vastu tips for children’s education and growth
Effects of diagonal sleeping direction as per Vastu
Sleeping in northeast direction: According to Vastu Shastra guidelines, sleeping with head towards the northeast direction is not recommended as the magnetic field can disrupt sleeping patterns.
Sleeping in southwest direction: On the other hand, the southwest is a good sleeping direction in a diagonal bedroom arrangement and promotes stability and tranquillity.
Sleeping in southeast direction: Southeast, associated with fire element, is not a suitable sleeping direction. As per Vastu experts, if the house does not perfectly match the east-west or north-south directions, then avoid placing the bed diagonally towards the southeast.
Sleeping in northwest direction: The northwest is a neutral sleeping direction, according to Vastu.
Click to read about the right direction and position of bed as per Vastu
Impact of earth’s hemispheres and magnetic field as per Vastu
The earth’s magnetic field impacts the hemispheres (the two parts into which the earth is divided by the equator). Vastu suggests the magnetic field influences human lives too, including sleeping direction because both the earth and the human body, have magnetic poles. Choosing the best sleeping direction will have positive impact one both physical and mental well-being. However, the ideal direction for sleeping differs for different hemispheres.
Best sleeping direction in the northern hemisphere: South, East and West
Best sleeping direction in the southern hemisphere: North, East and West
See also: Make these five changes in your bedroom for better sleep
Source: Pinterest lick/484981453636685990
See also: All about Vastu for south facing house
How to identify Vastu directions?
- Sun: As per the ancient practice, the sun is used to identify the directions. Face towards the rising sun, which is the east direction. The direction behind you is the west. Point your left arm towards the sun to identify the north direction. The opposite direction is the south direction.
- Compass: You can also use a compass, which contains a magnetic needle that points to the north.
- Stars: On a clear night, one can identify the north star (Polaris) that points towards north in the northern hemisphere.
Bedroom orientation as per Vastu
| Directions | Suitable for |
| West | Children |
| East | Unmarried children or guests |
| Southwest | Couples |
Bedroom consideration for spacious plots
In larger plots, Vastu recommends the northwest part of the north side adjacent to the living room for the bedroom. This arrangement helps boost the flow of positive energies within the space.
Bedroom directions to avoid
| Directions | Impact |
| Southeast | Conflicts between couples |
| Northeast | Uncertainties in life, sickness |
| Centre of the house or Brahmasthan | Affects the positive environment |
Besides the right bedroom direction, one should also check the location of the bedroom in a house plan. For example, if it is a duplex apartment, design the bedrooms in the upper floor. On the other hand, certain locations such as the middle of the building (Brahmasthan) is not suitable for bedroom placement and must be avoided.
Tips for choosing the best direction to sleep
- Vastu Shastra: One can rely on Vastu Shastra principles for choosing the best direction to sleep as it aligns with the scientific explanation of the benefits of sleeping facing towards south.
- Experiment with directions: One can also experiment by sleeping towards a specific direction for a week and then analyse the findings. During the experiment, one should observe the changes in sleep quality, patterns, dreams, restfulness and energy levels when waking up. The direction that gives the most favorable results should be chosen as the right sleeping direction.
- Understanding one’s body: It is also essential to keep in mind one’s needs and comfort as every individual’s body is unique.
- Consider the environment: One should take into account factors such as room temperature, lighting, bedding and related aspects. Moreover, it is also necessary to note which hemisphere one is located in, when choosing the best direction to sleep.
- Consult an expert: One can take the help of a medical professional to get insights on what works best when it comes to sleeping direction and the right sleeping position.
Things to avoid
- When sleeping, the legs should not face the bedroom entrance door as it can cause bad dreams.
- Avoid sleeping under a beam as it carries the burden of the whole building structure, causing negativity.
- Do not store junk under the bed.
- Avoid placing the bed with bathroom drainage pipes or gas pipes running along the wall.
- Keep electronic gadgets away as it can affect sleep patterns.
- Avoid irregular sleep schedule as it can affect the quality of sleep.
- Do not place metal bed in the bedroom as they can cause restlessness, especially if there are electronic items around.
- Avoid designing a bedroom if there is a kitchen on the lower floor as it cause sleeplessness, impacting career, relationship and health.
Things to avoid before going to sleep
Following certain Vastu-recommended practices can help create a positive environment in the bedroom, promoting sound sleep at night.
- Do not comb or leave your open when going to sleep as it will block the energy flow. You can tie the hair or cover it with a scarf.
- Avoid clipping your nails before going to sleep.
- Do not broom or clean the room at night as it is believed that Goddess Lakshmi visits the house at night.
- Avoid wearing uncomfortable or tight clothes while sleeping.
Sleeping direction as per different cultures
In India, Vastu Shastra recommends sleeping with head towards south, which ensures harmony and good health. The direction is considered to attract positive energies and helps relax the mind, ensuring restful sleep.
Movement of chakras
Chakras refer to centres or points in the body through which the spiritual energy flows. Movement of the chakras in the body takes place in the appropriate sleeping direction and sleep is peaceful. Since east directions generate positive vibrations, the chakras in the body start rotating in the right direction instead of conflicting directions.
However, one must note that the sleeping direction is also based on the hemisphere where one is located. Moreover, scientifically, sleeping towards is known to have many benefits.
Sleeping direction and its effects as per Ayurveda
- As per Ayurveda, alternative system of medicine, sleeping on one’s left side promotes easy breathing (flow of prana or life force), boost circulation and minimises pressure on heart.
- Sleeping on the side activates the right and the left nostril, provide protection to the body and mind.
- One should avoid sleeping on their stomach.
- Those with Vata dosha, having problems such as anxiety and cold hands may keep head position towards the south or southeast while sleeping.
- People with pitta aggravation can sleep with head towards the northwest, for a limited time.
Best sleeping direction as per Hindu scriptures
As per ancient Sanskrit text Sushruta Samhita, the head should face the east direction when sleeping. Loss of prana or life force occurs if one sleeps with legs towards the south direction. The flow of organic energy, known as jaivik ūrjā takes place from north to south direction. The entry of prana in the body happens from the feet and the entry of the soul in a foetus is through the head.
Bedroom colours 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 |
Source: Pinterest lorddecor/591590101083462233
Which direction to sleep scientifically?
The sleeping direction is intended to avoid geomagnetic interference. The earth is a huge magnet. When we sleep in a horizontal position, the pulse rate immediately drops. The body adjusts to the new position because if blood is pumped at the same level, excess supply will go to the head, causing damage.
When sleeping with heading towards the south direction, it has been found that there is a significant lowering of blood pressure and improvement in the sleep quality.
See also: Vastu guidelines for sleeping position during pregnancy
Why is it considered bad luck if your feet face the door while sleeping?
Sleeping with the feet towards the door or entrance is regarded as bad luck because in ancient traditions, dead bodies used to be carried through the door of the room with their feet first. This position is known as the death or coffin position.
Moreover, sleeping with feet towards the bedroom door can make the person feel restless and unhappy. Besides, it is also believed that negative forces may compel the occupant to leave the house against their wishes.
Best direction for sleeping for couples
When designing the bedroom for couples, it is essential to keep certain Vastu rules in mind. Positioning the bed in the south or the south-west area is recommended. Further, as per Vastu, the wife must sleep on the left side of her husband to promote a happy marital relationship. For couples the best direction to sleep is with their head towards the south, the south-east or the south-west. Avoid a bedroom in the southeast can lead to unnecessary conflicts between couples.
Choose a sleeping position where the feet are towards the east, which helps resolve health issues.
Further, remove any object like electronic devices that may obstruct the flow of energies and are not related to the relationship. One can instead place items that will boost the relationship such as elephant figurines. These are a few points to consider when deciding the best direction to sleep for couples.
The ideal sleep position advised for pregnant women is sleeping on the left side as it improves the blood flow between the heart, fetus, uterus, and kidneys. The left side sleep position also minimises the pressure on the liver.
See also: Know all about staircase vastu
Best sleeping direction for students
Vastu Shastra principles lay emphasis on aligning oneself with the natural forces and energies. Students and teachers are among the people who are required to process a lot of information daily and memorise the same. Thus, the ideal sleeping direction for students and teachers is east as it is known to boost blood circulation and memory-boosting energies. Moreover, sleeping towards the east contributes to a productive environment and mental clarity, ensuring success in academic life.
Best sleeping direction for career growth
Vastu Shastra recommends sleeping towards the west direction, which gives a boost to career ambitions. Thus, those working hard to succeed in their field will find west as a favourable direction. On the other hand, if someone is not career driven, they may find west direction to be inconvenient. Such people may tend to experience active and lively dreams, which would be draining instead of inspiring.
Side effects of a negative sleeping position
Incorrect sleeping directions can result in mental health issues. Moreover, according to many traditions, a person’s body is kept with the head positioned towards the north before cremating. Thus, one must avoid sleeping with the head towards the north as it can make them face a drop in energy levels and decrease productivity when they wake up. Further, according to Japanese traditions, sleeping with one’s head towards the north, known as Kita makura, brings bad luck and reduces one’s life span.
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Quality sleep is of utmost importance for an individual. Thus, when choosing the best sleeping direction, one must consider the scientific angle and Vastu Shastra principles besides factors such as environment and health. This is essential to ensure restful sleep and good health while inviting positivity in life.
Vastu Shastra also lays emphasis on the right direction of the bedroom and bed placement. Moreover, designing the bedroom in a Vastu-compliant manner can promote favourable energies that promote good sleep.
FAQs
Which direction should we not sleep?
If you live in the northern hemisphere, you should avoid sleeping with your head pointing towards the north direction. It is also essential to understand which side we should not sleep in the southern hemisphere. As per Vastu, you should not sleep with your head pointing towards the south direction in the southern hemisphere.
Can we sleep in west direction?
West is not an ideal sleeping direction according to vastu. However, it may be beneficial for some people. Sleeping in this direction can make a person success drive and will not have any negative effects.
Is it better to sleep north?
According to Vastu, sleeping towards north direction is not recommened as it can cause headaches and increase in blood pressure. Facing south direction when sleeping aligns the body’s magnetic energy with electromagnetic pull of the earth. Our head acts as the north pole and gets oriented towards the south pole.
What is the best sleeping direction as per Vastu for students?
Students and teachers are among the people who are required to process a lot of information daily and memorise the same. Thus, the ideal sleeping direction for students and teachers is east as it is known for high blood circulation and memory-boosting energies.
What is sleep according to Vedas?
Upanishads mention that sleep is a state of mind. Further, according to the Vedas, the body requires rest. So, sleep is a natural condition when the body rests.
Who can sleep in the east bedroom?
According to Vastu Shastra, newlywed couples should sleep with head facing towards the east direction. If one is the earner in the house, sleeping in the east bedroom is not recommended.
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