Ajit Karn
What is the best direction to sleep? The Triad of Health according to Ayurveda consists of aahar (diet), vihar (balanced living), and nidra (sleep). Given the significance of restorative slumber, Ayurveda naturally provides numerous recommendations on how to sleep better. Additionally, there are numerous concerns such as which direction should the cranium face while sleeping? What is the optimal sleeping position, scientifically speaking? According to Ayurveda and Vastu Shastra, What is the best direction to sleep? Which direction should we slumber each night? What is the best way to get a good night’s sleep? Which side do we slumber on? Lets Learn more abou What is the best direction to sleep?
What science has to say about correct sleeping direction
It is intended that the direction of sleep will prevent geomagnetic interference. The earth is a massive, albeit feeble, magnet; however, its influence on humans is statistically significant.
The positive pole of the earth’s magnetic field is to the north, and the negative pole is to the south. The cranium is the positive pole of a magnet, while the feet are the negative pole. Positive polarities repel, so I assume that if we rest with our heads to the north, the repelling forces will cause us to become exhausted.
What Vastu says about sleeping direction
Vastu, the sister science of Ayurveda, is the ancient science of architecture, environmental harmony, and well-being. It focuses on orientations. The purpose of Vastu is to create a hospitable environment for living and working by utilising the Panchamahabhutas (the five great elements of ether, air, fire, water, and earth), directions, and energy fields to promote health, wealth, prosperity, and happiness.
Michael Mastro, a leading North American Vastu expert, gave me the following advice regarding sleep directions: “We never sleep with our head to the north, because positive magnetic energy comes from the North Pole and our body is a magnet with a positive polarity in our head, so this is like bringing two positive ends of magnets together (hence! ); they repel each other and disrupt blood flow, circulation, and digestion, which prevents restful sleep. If you have health issues, it is highly recommended that you slumber facing south (these recommendations do not alter in the Southern Hemisphere).
What our scriptures say about sleeping direction
The Surut sahit recommends orienting the cranium towards the east. If you slumber with your legs facing south, you will lose prna. Biological energy (jaivik rj) flows from the north to the south. The prna enters the body through the soles, while the soul enters a foetus through the cranium.
yatha svakīyānyajināni sarve saṁstīrya vīrāḥ siṣupurdharaṇyām agastaśastām (dakṣiṇām) abhito diśaṁ tu
śīrāṁsi teṣāṁ kurusattamānām (Mahābhārata)
Lord Krishna advises Yudhisthira to sleep with his head facing south and his thighs facing north.
Sleeping in the North
North-facing sleep is not recommended at all. It disrupts body-mind-spirit integration by drawing energy from the body. Medically speaking, it is believed that the iron in our bodies coagulates in the brain, causing problems with blood circulation, increased tension, physical and mental health problems, and insomnia.
According to Dr. Vasant Lad, only the deceased slumber facing north. In fact, Hindu tradition dictates that a deceased be arranged with its head pointing north until cremation, in accordance with the belief that the North is the exit point for the soul.
Sleeping in the East
The Sun rises in the East, and it is considered a direction of positive waves, force of action, rejuvenation and energy. When we sleep with our heads facing east, the Sun’s energy enters the body through the head and exits through the feet, leaving the head calm and the feet toasty. It is especially advantageous for students because it increases memory and concentration and is good for their overall health.
It is also said to be beneficial for meditation and other spiritual endeavours. The three doshas (Vta, Pitta, and Kapha) are all balanced by sleeping in the East-West direction, which also improves creativity and is excellent for conception.
Studies indicate that individuals who sleep in this direction have shorter REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep cycles and eye movement (compared to those who sleep in the North-South direction), indicating fewer dreams and better sleep.
Sleeping in the West
Sleeping West to East is not advised. There are some who suggest that it increases Rajas, or ambition and restlessness while others consider it to be a neutral sleeping position. However, according to Vāstu, sleeping with one’s head to the West can lead to restless and disturbed sleep, nightmares, and a tendency towards violence.
Sleeping in the South
If one goes by the theory of magnets, a mutual attraction between the negative South and positive head creates harmony in sleep. According to mythology, the South is the direction of Lord Yama, and promotes heavy, deep sleep, like the restorative sleep of death. Vāstu practitioners consider this to be the best type of sleep for health, lowering blood pressure, and promoting positive energy, wealth, prosperity, and harmony.
For Vata people, who often have anxiety and cold hands, sleeping with the head towards the South or southeast is recommended.
People with Pitta aggravation can sleep towards the northwest (for a limited time).
Sleeping with the head facing west (for a limited time) may bring a Kapha vikruti back to balance.
In 2009, a study in India in the Department of Physiology at Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences was undertaken to observe whether sleeping with the head in a direction has any effect on heart rate, blood pressure, and serum cortisol during supine rest. It found that those instructed to sleep with their head in the South direction had the lowest SBP (systolic blood pressure), DBP (diastolic blood pressure), HR (heart rate), and SC (serum cortisol). These were statistically significant findings, though it was recommended that further studies were needed in different groups.
Modern science is reiterating what Vāstu and Āyurvedic treatises recommended centuries ago.
Conclusion
- South-North: Sleep with the head towards the South and feet towards the North.
- East-West: Sleep with the head towards the East and feet towards the West.
- Avoid sleeping with the head towards the West.
- Never sleep with the head towards the North.
Also read: Benefits of different food groups: fats, carbs, protein and fibre
Is there also a right side to sleep?
Āyurveda suggests sleeping on your left side so that you breathe properly. It reduces the pressure on your heart, helps circulation and promotes better health. Here’s a classic yogic expression on the anatomical position of sleep.
“A bhogi sleeps on the belly, a rogi sleeps on the back, while a yogi sleeps on the side.”
Side sleeping activates the Suryanadi (right nostril) and Chandranadi (left nostril) and increases the discharge of Prana in the body. It protects our body and mind by maintaining the cells in an awakened state in alignment with divine consciousness.
This flow of chaitanya through our energy field not only vitalizes our body, but is also emitted into our surroundings.
