To be honest, sleep is something that eludes many of us. Think about all those nights when you toss and turn on your comfy bed, cursing someone or something, blaming the fan speed or the weather and finally getting glued to your phone screens, scrolling endlessly. Maybe, just maybe it’s not the pillow, or your mattress or the humidity in the air. Maybe, it’s the direction you choose to sleep in. Yes, the direction – North, South, East, West.

It turns out that where your head points when you are sleeping could have more to do than supply you with wild dreams. It can influence your health, peace of mind and even your energy levels. Agreed, that it sounds like something your grandmother might have told you at some point in your life, which you thought was worth forgetting; but both ancient wisdom and modern studies seem to agree with this single point – there is a right direction to sleep.

What does Vastu Shastra say?

South is the king

According to the Vastu Shastra, the right direction to sleep is with your head pointing South, and your feet towards the North. This helps to align your body with the earth’s magnetic fields. Fun fact: your head has electrical impulses and magnetic properties too, and when you sleep with your head facing South, it’s said to improve blood circulation and lower stress among other things. It is believed if you sleep with your head facing North, you are inviting stress, chronic headaches and disturbed sleep. To be short and sweet: N = Nope and S= Sweet dreams.

Who should sleep in the East?

Coming to the second-best direction to sleep in, the East. It is most favourable for artists, thinkers and students, basically, anyone who wants to wake up feeling their best self and not like a zombie perfect for The Walking Dead. East is the direction where the sun rises and, it is associated with learning and new beginnings in many cultures. So, sleeping with your head pointing east brings you inner calm, spiritual clarity and enhanced memory So, if you find yourself stuck in a mental rut or studying for an exam throws your mind into existential crisis mode, sleeping East is the answer.

North and West: The DND zones

Let’s talk about the beetroot of the sleeping directions (considering you don’t like beets), North and West. According to ancient Vastu texts, sleeping with your head pointing North is a big ‘NO’. The factual reason is that your head is like the North pole of a magnet and the Earth’s magnetic field also flows North to South; so, it can lead to magnetic clashes, leading to fatigue, restlessness and emotional imbalance.

Now, as far as the West goes, it’s not as problematic as the North but is still its irritating cousin in some ways. Sleeping with your head in the West is said to bring about delays in decision-making, restlessness and even unsavoury dreams. It’s the direction for wandering minds, not peaceful ones.

What does Feng Shui say?

Travelling across the border, the ancient Chinese art of Feng Shui agrees in spirit but does not obsess over compass points as Vastu does. In the realm of Feng Shui, the quality of energy flow in your space matters more than your headboard direction. But even then, Feng Shui considers south-facing beds to bring warmth, stability, and vitality. So, if following a compass sounds odd to you, you’re still encouraged to make sure that your bed placement feels balanced and making sure your surroundings are clutter-free – so, your energy has enough space to breathe.

The Science-y bit

Going through all this might make you overwhelmed and wonder, ‘Is there any science behind it?’ And the answer is YES. Few studies published in distinguished journals say that electromagnetic alignment and circadian rhythms can be affected by sleep direction. While more research is required, researchers agree that the quality of sleep is improved when your sleep environment supports your natural bodily rhythms, including magnetic alignment.

So, which direction should you sleep in?

South: Your head facing South is best for your overall health, calm, and stability. East: Sleeping with your head pointing East is considered ideal for mental clarity, focus, and spiritual growth. North: You should avoid sleeping with your head pointing North if you value your peace and your morning sanity. West: Sleeping with your head facing West can lead to chaotic dreams and restlessness.

Flip it like you mean it

Your bed is your personal recharge station, and sometimes the universe wants you to rotate 180 degrees before blessing you with better sleep, a healthier life and a better you. So, grab a compass, check where your head is pointing and give your sleep a little makeover. Because, sometimes the one thing you need to become a better version of yourself is not a green smoothie but just sleeping with your head pointing south.