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Sleeping With Your Head Facing West: Is It Good?

Published: Mar 24, 2024
Updated: Feb 22, 2025
Sleeping With Your Head Facing West: Is It Good?
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    8 min

    Is sleeping with your head facing west a good direction to sleep in? According to some cultural beliefs, your sleep direction can determine the quality of your sleep at night. Discover more about whether it is good to do so, the direction that is not good and what the science says.

    Key Takeaways
    According to cultural beliefs such as Vastu Shastra and Feng Shui, your sleeping direction can affect your sleep quality and overall health.
    Some studies state that sleeping in the direction of the north or west can affect your heart rate and blood pressure.
    Generally, aligning your head in the north direction should be avoided as it increases the risk of sleep disorders.
    Science says that sleeping in south position can lower blood pressure and promote stress relief.
    If you are considering eastern medicine practices, it’s important to be aware of the principles of Feng Shui and Vastu Shastra as they may different beliefs on the benefits of certain directions.

    Sleep Direction Impact on Health

    how your sleep direction can affect your health

    Many cultures across the world have their beliefs rooted in positive energy or negative energy flow. For example, Vastu Shastra and Feng Shui believe that our sleeping direction is more than compass points, but they have the ability to influence the way we sleep, our overall health, and our well-being [1].

    When considering the best direction to sleep, you may want to give these cultural principles a thought.

    In Vastu Shastra and Feng Shui, it is said that sleeping with your head pointing in the south direction helps to improve sleep quality and your overall health.

    Sleeping with your head pointing east is said to be a good direction for promoting meditative sleep and concentration. Sleeping in a north or west direction is generally seen as a direction to avoid sleeping in.

    Vastu Perspective on Sleep Orientation

    white blanket in bed

    For optimal sleep quality according to Vastu principles, aligning your head towards a specific direction is crucial. When considering the best sleeping direction from a Vastu Shastra perspective, the orientation can significantly impact your sleep position and overall well-being. Below is a comparison of different sleep orientations based on Vastu principles:

    Sleep OrientationBest Sleeping Direction
    Head Facing NorthNot recommended due to disrupted energy flow
    Head Facing EastFavorable for enhancing concentration and restful sleep
    Head Facing WestMay suit success-driven individuals but not ideal for everyone
    Head Facing SouthProvides deep and restful sleep and aids rejuvenation

    Consider aligning your sleep position with the recommended direction for improved sleep quality according to Vastu principles.

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    Is It Okay To Sleep With Your Head Towards the West?

    According to Feng Shui and Vastu Shastra principles, sleeping with your head pointed towards the west is not a good direction and should be avoided. While there aren’t clear scientific evidence to back this at the moment, some research shows that sleeping with your head pointed to the north and west may increase both heart rate and blood pressure [2].

    Which Direction is Not Good for Sleeping?

    sleeping with your head towards the north direction is not ideal for sleeping

    Generally, sleeping with your head pointed north direction is a direction that should be avoided. Northward sleeping position is associated with sleep disorders such as insomnia, restless sleep, and increased irritability which may make it hard to fall asleep. This is because it goes against the Earth’s electromagnetic field.

    People who sleep in this direction are also said to report lower mental health than people sleeping with their heads pointed in other directions [2].

    Scientific Research on Sleep Orientation

    When considering the benefits of south-facing sleep for enhanced rest, research quantifies the impact of sleep orientation on various health aspects. Scientific research on sleep orientation suggests that the direction you sleep can significantly influence your sleep quality. Studies indicate that sleeping facing south may promote better sleep, heart health, and mental well-being [3].

    People with south-facing sleep patterns have shown lower blood pressure and stress levels. Limited research also hints at the benefits of positioning your head to the south while sleeping. Changing from a south or east-facing direction to north or west could even affect heart rate.

    In exploring the best direction to sleep, scientific findings highlight the potential impact of sleep orientation on overall health and quality of sleep.

    Eastern Medicine Practices for Quality Sleep

    In exploring the benefits of south-facing sleep for enhanced rest, your consultation with a healthcare provider is crucial before integrating new Eastern Medicine practices for quality sleep.

    When considering Eastern Medicine practices for ideal sleep, it’s essential to understand the principles of Vastu and Feng Shui:

    • Sleep with your head according to Vastu: Aligning your head south may aid in rejuvenation and promote deep sleep.
    • Align with Feng Shui principles: Sleeping in other directions may not provide the same benefits as south-facing sleep.
    • Strive for ideal sleep: Consulting Eastern Medicine practices like Ayurveda can offer insights on achieving quality sleep through holistic approaches.

    Conclusion

    So, next time you climb into bed, consider the direction you’re facing for a potentially better night’s sleep. Whether it’s west, east, north, or south, aligning your sleeping position with the Earth’s magnetic field could have a positive impact on your health and well-being.

    Alternatively, you can improve your sleep quality and avoid sleep deprivation by using the ShutEye® app. ShutEye utilizes a patented sleep-tracking technology to monitor your sleep patterns and offers the best tips to help you get better sleep at night. Try it now!

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    FAQ

    It's better to sleep facing the east direction compared to the west direction. Sleeping in the west direction is associated with poor sleep and increases the risk of high blood pressure.

    Sleeping in the east west direction is not considered good for health. Rather, sleeping with your head facing south, or aligning in the north south alignment is generally better for sleep as it does not interfere with the Earth's magnetic field.

    Your head direction should not be facing in the north or west direction when sleeping as it can lead to restlessness, irritability and increased blood pressure among others.
    About authors
    Przemysław Puternicki is a content writer passionate about new technologies and innovative ways to use them. He has experience writing about Artificial Intelligence and its impact on various industries. Recently, he got engulfed in the subject of sleep science, searching for ways to improve his sleep schedule.
    Siti Amirah
    Reviewer
    Amirah is a content writer passionate about topics related to mental health and wellness. Recently, she delved into the realm of sleep health, spurred by a personal recognition of her subpar sleep habits and a desire for improvement. Amirah holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Communication Studies from the University of Nottingham.

    Breus, M. (2024) The Best Direction to Sleep [online]. Available at: https://sleepdoctor.com/sleep-hygiene/the-best-direction-to-sleep

    ResMed (2025) Best Direction to Sleep Scientifically for Restful Night [online]. Available at: https://www.resmed.co.in/blogs/best-direction-to-sleep

    Zhang, Y., Xiao, A., Zheng, T., Xiao, H., & Huang, R. (2022). The Relationship between Sleeping Position and Sleep Quality: A Flexible Sensor-Based Study. Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)22(16)6220 [online]. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/s22166220

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