Because your head functions like a north pole, sleeping with your body in a north-facing position is considered a worst-case scenario, according to vastu shastra. It creates tension that may lead to headaches and other health problems.
The recommended sleeping direction per vastu shastra is that you lie down with your head pointed southward. A north-to-south body position is considered the worst direction.
Best sleeping direction in the southern hemisphere
One can sleep with the head pointing towards any direction except the south direction. Thus, as per Vastu Shastra, the sleeping direction recommended for southern hemisphere is North, East and West.
The orientation of sleep prevents geomagnetic influence. Despite the fact that the earth is a powerful magnet, its influence on people is statistically significant. The magnetic positive pole of the Earth is located to the north, and the magnetic negative pole is positioned to the south.
While sleeping in the west direction does its opposite that keeps the body lazy. It also doesn't let your brain function properly as the energy isn't sufficient to work with a pace.
As per ancient architecture, if you keep your head towards the East while sleeping or resting, your sleep will be delightful, and your energy will be positive. East is also considered the best sleeping direction as per vastu for students and teachers as it boosts energy levels and helps in improving memory.
It creates tension that may lead to headaches and other health problems. To achieve balance, your head should point southward while you sleep, in line with the Earth's electromagnetic pull.
South is ruled by the Hindu god Yama; therefore, sleep south if you want to have the heavy and deep sleep of death. Going back to the magnetic pole theory, a mutual attraction (head positive, south negative) creates a harmonious exchange that draws energy into the body, rather than out, as in the case of north.
People generally consider positioning a queen-sized, king-sized, or double bed against the center of a wall right opposite the entrance of the room. In this arrangement, the headboard is located right at the center of the space. This placement works well in a room with a square layout.
Specifically, sleeping on the side or back is considered more beneficial than sleeping on the stomach. In either of these sleep positions, it's easier to keep your spine supported and balanced, which relieves pressure on the spinal tissues and enables your muscles to relax and recover.
Create a Focal Point
The first thing you should see when you walk into a bedroom is a focal point, and typically that's the bed. Position the bed where it best fits with space on either side. Avoid pushing one side up against a wall, as that can make the room feel cramped.
Facing a bed towards a window is a better option than placing your bed underneath it, however, it is still not recommended. In Feng Shui, it is generally believed that, where possible, beds should not be placed directly in line with either a door or windows.
To bring harmony to a bedroom the female should always sleep on the left hand side of the bed and the man on the right (if you are standing at the end of the bed looking at the bedhead). If you'd like to learn how Feng Shui can improve your relationships, come along to one of my upcoming workshops.
According to Vastu shastra, sleeping in the west direction is not a great idea. Sleeping in the west direction, with the head facing toward the west, is not a good idea since it causes unrest and interferes with a night's unbroken sleep.
In the northern hemisphere, the best direction to sleep scientifically is east. Sleeping direction science indicates a head pointed east will allow blood circulation to flow freely.
If you catch yourself or other movements in the reflection it can be difficult for the brain to switch off and go to sleep. This can cause problems like “sleep paralysis” (also known as a hypnagogic hallucination), a condition which causes sufferers to feel as though they are between a sleeping and waking state.
It can make you feel more vulnerable as glass is not as solid as a wall. The sunlight can intrude on restful sleep as it is brighter near the window. The temperature is more varied next to the window. Feng shui bed placement principals warn against it because it leads to a loss of positive energy.
A bed is typically placed along the center of a bedroom's longest wall because this is the ideal location to make it a focal point of the space, but it's not your only option. If you have a large bedroom, placing a bed in the corner can make a bold statement.
The very first thing you should make sure you have for your bedroom is a good, comfortable bed. Your bed should be the focal point of the room, and everything else should be planned around it.
Positioning your bed in line with the door is the worst possible position, according to the principles of Feng shui. People who practice Feng shui call it the 'dead man's position' or the 'coffin position' because the feet or head face the door and resemble how we carry the dead through open doors from the house.
A 2019 study published in Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, showed among 165 participants (45 with diagnosed neurodegenerative disease, 120 controls) a supine sleep position (on back, head at body level) for more than 2 hours per night increased the risk of dementia by almost four times (3.7 times greater).
While research is limited, anecdotal reports show that sleeping without a pillow can help reduce neck and back pain for some sleepers. Stomach sleepers are generally best suited for going pillowless, because the lower angle of the neck encourages better spinal alignment in this position.
Sleeping on your left side is thought to have the most benefits to your overall health. Still, either side can offer benefits in terms of sleep apnea and chronic lower back pain relief. You don't have to stick with one side the entire night. Feel free to start on your left side and see how your body feels.