What is the Best Direction for Your Bed to Face? 

A good night’s sleep depends on several factors. One of which is the direction of your bed. You must know how to position the bed in the bedroom to have a dreamy sleep.

Even spiritual practices and Eastern medicine suggest that there’s more you can do, including room designing. You can repaint your room walls for a calmer hue, change your bedding, or dim the lights.

Overall, a good, proper bedroom arrangement positively impacts your sleep. But what direction should my bed face? The best direction for your bed to face is the South. Sleeping towards the South will improve your sleep.

In the article, we’ll explain this assertion in detail. Follow me, and let’s dive right into it!

What is the Best Direction for your bed to face?

Generally, the best direction for your bed to face depends on your cardinal direction. Although there are findings that connect headaches to sleep direction, there’s scientific proof that facing the South while sleeping may minimize your risk of high blood pressure.

We undertook a study comparing those whose beds faced the east-west direction and the north-south direction. After three months, it showed that the people who slept in the north-south direction had longer sleep, less risk of blood pressure, and improved sleep quality.

In short, those who slept facing the north-south had an increased sleep duration, while that of the east-west sleepers was shortened.

Another study showed changes in the participants’ brain waves after exposition to manipulated electromagnetic fields. The results suggested that humans are sensitive to the Earth’s magnetic energy.

Furthermore, older studies that exposed humans to magnetic fields while they were sleeping showed that it did not affect their sleep duration.

Research also shows that those who sleep in the north-south position also take longer to enter rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, an essential stage of sleep for overall health, cognitive functioning, and emotional well-being.

However, note that this basic rule of sleeping with the bed facing the South only applies to those living in the Northern Hemisphere. The opposite will apply to those who live in the Southern Hemisphere because of the polarity rule, meaning the ideal direction for the head of the bed is the north.

Which Direction Should Your Bed Face?

In Vastu Shastra tradition, the best direction for your bed to face is the South. Basically, when you sleep, you should position your feet toward the north and your head toward the South.

Essentially, many animals like deer and cattle position their bodies directly to the north-south whenever they are relaxing. According to research, people tend to sleep better whenever they position their beds southwards.

The direction of the bed in Vastu Shastra is believed to lower blood pressure and enhance sleep. It’s worth noting that the Earth’s electromagnetic field has an impact on this positioning.

What is Vastu Shastra?

Vastu Shastra is an ancient Indian tradition. The believers of this tradition see buildings as living things created in sync with the universe’s energy.

The concept relies on Hindu beliefs and mythology, like the human body having its own south and north poles, just like the Earth.

According to Vastu Shastra, when you position your bed (sleep) to face the South, you align your body’s magnetic strength with the Earth’s. Your head (or  “north pole”) faces the Earth’s south pole because opposite poles attract.

But, lying in the other direction means that two like poles will face each other, causing increased blood pressure and headaches.

Other Ways to Improve Sleep

Besides positioning your bed in the best direction in your bedroom, there are many other ways to enhance your sleep quality and the overall design of your bedroom.

Here are some Vastu Shastra and feng shui recommendations you should consider.

Keep Your Bed in the Right Direction

Based on the feng shui principles, you’re to keep your bed directly against a wall and not under the windows. Generally, you’re to position it on the wall opposite your room door, exactly in a position where you can see the door clearly. 

This setup places you in the “command position,” making you feel in control and authority. Where your bed doesn’t fit on the opposite wall, get a mirror for your bedroom so you can still view the door and maintain your control.

However, ensure you don’t position the mirror to face the bed because it may increase the energy, which can alter your sleep.

Most importantly, don’t sleep with your feet facing the door. That’s the “coffin position,” which is known as a bad sleep position in feng shui because it replicates the way a person’s corpse is taken out of a room after death.

Declutter and Remove Electronics

A cluttered space will definitely destabilize your mind. So, ensure you clear clutter to make room for clean energy.

Some studies suggest that the more we observe the space between objects, the more our emotional well-being improves.

In the Vastu Shastra tradition, many believers worry about the impact of electromagnetic fields. So, they take that as a motivation to remove electronics from the bedroom.

Besides, this is also one of the primary rules of good sleep, as it promotes better sleep.

Repaint Your Bedroom

Vastu Shastra and feng shui recommend different colors for different sleep directions to promote a particular energy level.

For example, feng shui obtains associations between the following cardinal points and colors:

• Black (with the North), for communication
• Green (with the East), for growth and creation 
• Red (with the South), for power
• Gray or white (with the WestWest), for money

Vastu Shastra has a moderately different approach. It recommends that humans choose colors according to their personality.

They believe everyone has natural elements known as “doshas”:

• Those with Kapha dosha (water and earth) should use violet and red
• Those with vata dosha (air) should use yellow and green
• Those with pitta dosha (water and fire) should use green and blue.

Upgrade Your Bedroom Design

Feng shui suggests that objects like plants, curtains, and artwork can capture negative energy, known as “sha chi,” and transform it into good chi.

Plants, most especially, can add a calming energy to your bedroom and help relieve stress.

Additionally, a couple who share one bedroom should remove things that aren’t related to their relationship, such as a work computer or desk.

Also, they can adjust the placement of certain items to direct all the positive energy toward helping their relationship thrive and flourish.

Types of Sleeping Positions

So long as your back is straight, you’re in a good sleeping position. But let’s look at the different types of sleeping positions, as they determine your sleep quality no matter the direction your bed is facing:

1. Fetal Position

Based on popular opinion, this is the most common sleep position. When you sleep in this position your spine will rest in its proper arrangement. Also, you may avoid the effects of neural conditions like Parkinson’s disease or Alzheimer’s disease.

2. Soldier Position

This position involves sleeping on your back and facing the ceiling. It can lead to back pain and cause you to snore. This position is bad for people with sleep apnea. If you find it difficult to stop sleeping in the soldier position, place a folded blanket or a pillow under your knees.

3. Log Position

This position entails sleeping on your side with both arms down and close to the body. To ease the pressure on your hips, place a folded blanket or soft pillow between your knees.

4. Freefall Position

This is when you lie on the stomach, in the gravity position, and tuck your arms beside your head or under your pillow. Unfortunately, sleeping in this position can cause attacks such as “sleep apnea attack,” neck pain, and lower back pain. To prevent this pain, sleep with a comfy pillow beneath your forehead.

5. Starfish Position

This is the soldier position where you spread out your legs sideways. To sleep better, keep a pillow under your knees. Unfortunately, this sleep position isn’t suitable for anyone with sleep apnea syndrome.

FAQs

Which Direction Should My Bed Face for Positive Energy?

The southwards direction. Feng shui experts believe sleeping with your head facing the South corresponds with the Earth’s electromagnetic fields, promoting the flow of positive energy.

In addition to your bed, the placement of other items in your bedroom should also face south to help increase the positive energy.

Can My Bed Face the Door?

No, try as much as you can not to make the bed directly face the bedroom door. You should only face the door but not directly be in line with it. If you place your bed on the same wall as your door, you might feel threatened, like someone may wake you in the middle of the night.

What Happens if You Sleep With Bed in the West Direction?

You’ll not feel at rest and have a poor night’s sleep. Generally, sleeping with your bed facing the West isn’t a good idea. However, this may not apply to everyone.

Can My Bed Face the Window?

Positioning your bed to face the window is a better option than placing your bed underneath it, but it’s not recommended. The general belief is that beds shouldn’t be placed directly in line with the window or door.

Which Way Should Your Bed Face for Goodluck?

Feng shui, the ancient Chinese practice, suggests that facing your bed towards the South brings good luck. However, there’s no convincing scientific evidence to support that if you face your bed in a particular direction, you’ll get good luck.

What Happens if You Sleep Facing East?

It promotes meditative sleep and good health, increases concentration, and boosts memory. Sleeping with your head facing the East is a secret to succeed in your academic pursuits. This position is recommended for those seeking promotions, career opportunities, and scholarships.