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Sleeping With Head Facing South: An Ideal Sleep Direction

Published: Mar 23, 2024
Updated: Feb 17, 2025
Sleeping With Head Facing South: An Ideal Sleep Direction
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    9 min

    Ever wondered if your sleeping direction affects your well-being? Sleeping with your head facing south is often seen as an ideal sleep direction compared to other directions for various reasons. Some attribute this to cultural beliefs while others may attribute it to how it aligns with Earth’s magnetic pull.

    Learn more about why sleeping in the south direction is good for you, a direction to avoid sleeping in, and considerations to make when it comes to positioning your bed.

    Key Takeaways
    Sleeping with the head facing south is considered the best direction for optimal sleep quality according to Vastu Shastra and Feng shui principles.
    According to some studies, aligning your head towards the south can reduce blood pressure and increase deep sleep.
    Some factors that may influence sleep direction include psychological factors, Earth’s electromagnetic fields, your comfort level, and room arrangement.
    North-facing direction can increase the risk of sleep disorders such as insomnia, and lead to a lack of motivation and lethargy.
    You can figure out a good bed placement by following some Feng Shui principles.

    Best Direction to Sleep According to Cultural Beliefs and Science

    best direction to sleep according to cultural beliefs such as feng shui principles

    When it comes to the best direction to sleep, cultural practices like Feng Shui and Vastu Shastra believe that aligning your head facing south is the optimal position for rest.

    Sleeping with your head positioned towards the south promotes the flow of positive energy, reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, and brings prosperity, good health, and good quality sleep [1]. Some studies also suggest a correlation between sleeping facing south and improved overall health. By aligning your head towards the south, you may experience benefits such as reduced blood pressure and enhanced deep sleep [2].

    Feng Shui and Vastu Shastra Tips

    Continuing the discussion from the previous subtopic, regularly aligning your bed according to Feng Shui and Vastu Shastra principles can significantly improve your sleep quality. When considering the best direction to sleep, these ancient practices offer valuable insights. By orienting your sleeping position from north to south, you can enhance your overall well-being and rest better.

    woman sitting on white bed while stretching

    Factors Influencing Sleep Direction

    Some factors that may influence your choice of sleep direction include:

    Psychological factors: Psychological factors such as stress levels and anxiety can influence your decision to choose a particular sleeping position over the other.

    Earth’s electromagnetic fields: the Earth’s electromagnetic field plays a role in influencing the benefits of sleeping with your head towards the south pole.

    Your comfort level: Your comfort is also crucial when it comes to finding the ideal sleeping direction.

    Room arrangement: How you arrange your room and furniture can affect the available sleep orientations. Cultural traditions and beliefs may also guide your choice of sleep direction.

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    Benefits of Southward Sleeping

    white bed pillow on brown wooden bed frame
sleeping with head facing south

    The alignment of your head with the south while sleeping offers various benefits for your overall well-being and sleep quality. When you position your head towards the south, you may experience enhanced sleep quality and potential health benefits. The Earth’s electromagnetic field, along with principles from Vastu Shastra, suggests that sleeping southward can positively impact your body’s energy alignment and improve your rest. Some preliminary research also indicates that southward sleeping may help reduce blood pressure and promote deeper sleep. Consider the table below to understand the benefits of southward sleeping:

    Benefits of Southward Sleeping
    Improved sleep quality
    Better overall health
    Reduction in blood pressure
    Enhanced deep sleep
    Alignment with body’s energy

    Which Direction is Not Good for Sleeping?

    north direction is said to be a direction that is not good for sleeping as it increases restlessness and risk of sleep disorders

    When it comes to a bad direction for sleep, it is often said that sleeping in a north-facing direction can make it harder for you to get a good night’s sleep. In Feng Shui, sleeping in the north direction is associated with an increased risk of sleep disorders such as insomnia, lack of motivation, and lethargy which can in turn decrease your overall luck and prosperity [3].

    According to Vastu Shastra principles, sleeping with your head pointing north can obstruct energy flow, leading to disturbed sleep. It is also said that blood circulation is affected in this position as it goes against the Earth’s natural magnetic pull. As such, it can lead to unwanted stress and illness [1].

    Additionally, in Japan, sleeping in this direction is seen as a bad omen as it’s associated with death [4].

    Negative Effects of Northward Sleeping
    Disrupts Sleep
    Increases Tension
    Impacts Health

    Considerations for Different Hemispheres

    To determine the optimal direction for sleep based on your hemisphere, assess the polarity rule regarding the head’s orientation in relation to the Earth’s magnetic field.

    For the Northern Hemisphere

    • Consider sleeping with your head facing south for better sleep quality.
    • Aligning along the north-south axis may enhance restfulness.

    For the Southern Hemisphere

    • Sleeping with your head facing north or west might be more beneficial.
    • The optimal direction for sleep depends on Earth’s magnetic field orientation.

    Understanding these considerations can help you make an informed decision about the best sleeping direction based on your location. Remember to prioritize your comfort and well-being when choosing how to position yourself for a good night’s rest.

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    Figuring Out A Good Bed Placement

    figuring out a good bed placement in the bedroom using feng shui

    There are a lot of do’s and dont’s when it comes to figuring out a good bed placement in Feng Shui. Here are some things to take note of when you are deciding your bed direction [5]:

    1. Commanding position

    Commanding position refers to a position where you can easily see the door to your bedroom. For good Feng Shui, you should place your bed diagonal to the door but if that can’t be achieved, you can consider using a mirror so that you can see a reflection of the door while in bed.

    2. Placing bed away from doors

    Lying in bed with your feet pointing towards the door can be seen as a bad omen. It’s can be seen as lying in a position that is similar to how you would lie in a coffin. In addition to this, it would also prevent you from being in a commanding position, as encouraged to have in Feng Shui practices.

    3. Positioning of the headboard against the wall

    In Feng Shui, it is important for you to have your bed placed securely against a solid wall. At the same time, you should also avoid placing it on the same wall as where your toilet is located. In general, sleeping near the bathroom is not pleasant because of its noise and smell.

    4. Placing of mirrors

    You should always avoid any mirrors from directly facing you while you sleep. Mirrors are said to reflect both negative and positive energy which can interfere with your sleep quality. Instead, it should be positioned perpendicular to the bed or door, or placed just beside the bed.

    Conclusion

    In conclusion, sleeping with your head facing south is generally seen as a positive direction. While there is no clear scientific evidence at this moment, some studies suggest that sleeping in south direction can potentially lead to better overall health and improved sleep quality.

    In addition to optimizing your sleep direction, you can enhance your sleep quality with the ShutEye® app. More than just a sleep tracker, ShutEye offers soothing sleep sounds, guided meditations, and expert sleep tips to help you fall asleep faster and wake up feeling refreshed. Try it now!

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    FAQ

    In Feng Shui and Vastu Shastra, sleeping with your head facing south is seen as a good direction for you to sleep in as it promotes good energy flow, brings good health, and ensures good quality sleep.

    Having your bed positioned in the south position can help with promoting deeper sleep and good overall health.

    Sleeping with your head pointing west or north direction may be more beneficial if you are in the Southern Hemisphere. This is due to the orientation of the Earth's magnetic field.
    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

    Canvas Japan (2023) Why is Sleeping with Your Head to the North Bad? The Reason Lies in Old Japanese Folklore [online]. Available at: https://canvasjapan.com/en/culture/folklore/

    Cho, Anjie (2024) How to Place Your Bed for Good Feng Shui [online]. Available at: https://www.thespruce.com/place-your-bed-for-good-feng-shui-1274331

    Homes & Gardens (n.d.) Why should you not sleep facing north? This position is considered a Feng Shui faux pas [online]. Available at: https://www.homesandgardens.com/interior-design/bedrooms/why-should-you-not-sleep-facing-north

    Parmar, Nitien (2024) Vastu and Sleeping Direction [online]. Available at: https://vastuconsultant.com/vastu-sleeping-direction/#Which_is_the_Best_Sleeping_Direction_as_per_Vastu_Shastra

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