You must have heard extensively about the importance of sleeping on time. However, did you know that your direction also matters?
Ayurveda says that each direction affects your physical, mental and spiritual health differently and therefore, it is important to know which direction is best suited for you.
Let’s have a deeper look at this concept, covered in both Ayurveda and Vastu Shastra, and start sleeping in the right direction.
Ayurveda, Vastu Shastra and Sleep: An Insight
According to Ayurveda, sleep or Nidra is one of the most important pillars of health. It is crucial to repair the body at a molecular level, rejuvenate the neurological and digestive systems, and relieve stress. A night of good quality sleep helps to improve your productivity and focus better whereas insufficient sleep can affect your immune system, heart, blood pressure levels, etc. Therefore, Ayurveda highly advocates the importance of sleep and recommends many guidelines to sleep better, one of which is the direction you should sleep in.
Vastu Shastra, the sister science of Ayurveda, also deals with the direction of sleep. The main goal of Vastu Shastra is to balance Panchamahootas (the five elements, viz ether, air, water, fire and earth), directions and energy fields to make a healthy, wealthy, prosperous and happy setting to live and work within. As sleep is conducive to health and happiness, Vastu Shastra also promotes sleeping in the right direction to propagate quality energy in the body and improve overall health.
Which Direction to Sleep in According to Ayurveda & Vastu Shastra?
Please note that the direction here refers to the direction in which your head should be placed when you lie down.
- North:
According to Vastu Shastra, you should never sleep with your head pointed north due to the earth’s magnetism.
We all know that earth has magnetic poles that extend north-south. Similarly, humans are also believed to have a magnetic field extending north-south direction.
In the earth’s magnetic poles, the north end is positively charged whereas the south end is negatively charged; and according to science, like poles repel whereas opposite poles attract each other. Hence, when you sleep with your head pointed north, the like poles of the two magnets repel each other and cause disharmony in your body.
Vastu Shastra believes that this magnetic phenomenon can adversely affect the blood circulation in your body and cause many physical ailments. It can also cause stress, emotional instability and many mental health problems.
- East:
Vastu Shastra recommends sleeping with your head pointed east. It is highly beneficial in boosting memory and increasing concentration, and therefore, it is recommended for people in the academic field, such as students, teachers, scholars etc.
East-faced sleep is also conducive for enhancing creativity, promoting meditative sleep and encouraging spiritual pursuits. According to Ayurveda, it helps to balance all the three doshas in the body and restore harmony in the body, mind and spirit.
- West:
It is believed that sleeping with your head pointed west can bring you fame, power, money and prestige. However, many Vastu experts also believe that this direction can increase Rajas or ambition and cause restlessness and hyperactivity in sleep, eventually leading to nightmares and a tendency towards violence.
- South:
According to Ayurveda and Vastu Shastra, the south is considered the best direction to sleep.
It is also well suited according to magnetic theory. The negative charge of the earth’s south pole will attract the north pole of the human’s magnetic field, thereby creating a harmonious exchange of energy.
Vastu experts believe that south-faced sleep is best for maintaining your physical, mental and spiritual health. It helps to lower blood pressure and promote health, prosperity, happiness and positive energy.
Ayurveda also highly recommends south direction for sleeping, especially for Vata people.
Does Ayurveda Also Recommend a Right Position to Sleep?
According to Ayurveda, you should sleep on the sides. It helps to activate Suryanadi (right nostril) and Chandranadi (left nostril) and improve the flow of Prana in your body. Ayurveda says that the ideal side for sleeping is your left side.
Why Sleep on the Left Side?
Ayurveda says that sleeping on the left side will improve breathing, reduce pressure on the heart, boost blood circulation and promote better health.
More Sleeping Tips from Ayurveda and Vastu Shastra
- Keep electronics out of your room and avoid using electronics before bedtime.
- Do not keep mirrors in the front of your bed.
- Remove unnecessary things from your bedroom.
- Keep a light wall colour in the bedroom
The Final Takeaway
Sleeping in the right direction is very important for your health. It not only brings positive energy to your body but also improves your overall health.
According to Ayurveda and Vastu Shastra, you should sleep with your head pointed towards the south or east. You should also try to sleep on your left side to promote breathing.
