When it comes to getting a good night’s sleep, people immediately think of a comfortable mattress, soft and breathable bedding, curtains to dim the light, and a moderate room temperature. These are healthy habits backed by science. However, if you want to take your rest even more seriously, this article is just what you need!
Are you familiar with Feng Shui and Vastu Shastra? If this is the first time you’ve heard of them, you should know that Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese practice. It relies on the flow of energy in your daily life and within a space to achieve balance. The principle of Vastu Shastra focuses on Indian concepts of balance based on the science of architecture. These two practices have different histories, but their principles are similar. According to them, the way spaces are designed can either promote your health or, conversely, be harmful.
Should you sleep with your head facing north? Or is it better to sleep with your head facing south? You'll find the answer in the next article!
The Best Way to Position Your Bed According to Feng Shui and Vastu Shastra
These two practices are based on two different philosophies. However, they agree that the design of spaces influences the way your body reacts to the elements surrounding it. They are also based on taking the four directions into account while sleeping. These four directions are: sleeping with your head facing north, sleeping with your head facing south, sleeping with your head facing east, or sleeping with your head facing west. And also on the five main elements of nature: earth, fire, wind, space, and water.
Sleeping on a high-quality mattress, such as a Kipli latex mattress, promotes restful sleep. But what would the ideal bed setup look like for a good night’s sleep if you follow these two practices?
A. The sleeping direction recommended by Vastu Shastra
The philosophy of Vastu Shastra focuses primarily on the healthy use of space.
It is the science of living in harmony with the help of energy. With regard to sleeping orientation, Vastu Shastra states that a room interacts directly with the five primary elements of nature and that this influences the body’s overall well-being.
Vastu Shastra recommends sleeping with your head facing south. The reason for this is that the human head has a polar-like gravitational pull. It should therefore be oriented toward the south to attract the opposite poles while you sleep.
B. You should not sleep with your head facing north
Vastu Shastra is a concept based primarily on space and the way it affects health and well-being. Sleeping with your head facing north can lead to nightmares and sleep disturbances. If you prefer to sleep with your head facing north—which is positively charged—the energy of the mind and that of the earth repel each other according to the laws of the universe. This is explained by the concept of the Earth’s magnetic field and the northern and southern hemispheres. This magnetic repulsion affects blood circulation and increases stress. Also, according to Vastu Shastra, after this unconscious conflict, you will feel tired upon waking because you have not had a restful night’s sleep.
According to the principles of Vastu Shastra, sleeping with your head facing north can also lead to negative consequences. It can result in emotional instability, a lack of willpower, and many other problems. There are also spiritual reasons that confirm that sleeping with your head facing north is not a recommended sleeping orientation.
The Ideal Location of the Bedroom According to Vastu Shastra
Vastu Shastra places particular emphasis on the location of the bedroom. Ideally, it should be located in the southwestern part of the house. This area is associated with good health, longevity, and prosperity. The northwest is also a good location for a bedroom, especially for children or guests.
On the other hand, you should avoid placing bedrooms in the southeast or northeast corners. If there is no other option, you can place incense sticks or an air freshener in the room.
In general, pleasant scents and aromas are highly valued in Vastu culture because they can lift your spirits and calm the mind. Using scented candles or diffusers in your bedroom can add an extra touch of coziness—especially when it comes to refreshing scents like jasmine or lavender.
You can also place a bowl of sea salt in the room to counteract the unfavorable location of your bedroom with more positive energy.
In the bedroom itself, the best placement for the bed is in the southwest area, so that your body can absorb the positive energy. A solid-wood bed with a square or rectangular shape is also recommended.
It is extremely important to declutter the bedroom and keep only the items that have a positive effect. Above all, the bedroom should contain useful items and those that evoke fond memories.
It is important to note that the cabinets should be placed in the southwestern part of the room, with their doors opening either to the east or to the south. Both of these can be considered the best orientations for the bed to ensure a good night's sleep.
A. Are the principles of Vastu Shastra effective?
The benefits of the sleeping positions recommended by Vastu Shastra have not yet been scientifically proven. However, some researchers point to the benefits of these spatial principles for human health in general. Therefore, followers of this philosophy recommend changing your sleeping orientation or the orientation of your bed before taking other measures, such as replacing furniture or taking medication.
Feng Shui Bed Placement for Better Sleep
Like Vastu Shastra, Feng Shui focuses on your sanctuary of peace so that you can enjoy the best possible sleep and have a day that is both peaceful and productive. This practice focuses more on the elements of your room and their effects on energy (known as chi) than on the orientation of your bed. Feng Shui is primarily concerned with the flow of energy in your living space. The goal is to avoid obstacles and maintain the balance that promotes good health and a harmonious life.
With this in mind, Feng Shui recommends that you avoid placing your bed near windows and doors and avoid cluttered bedrooms. Other Feng Shui principles include color schemes associated with different life energies, which help promote energy restoration so you can recharge your batteries while you sleep. This will be explained in more detail later in the article.
A. What is the best Feng Shui orientation for a bed?
Long-time Feng Shui practitioners, like Vastu Shastra practitioners, prefer energy that flows toward the south. In their view, warm winds—which are considered rich in positive energy—come from that direction. Most followers of this philosophy will advise you to place your bed far away from doors and windows. This is said to promote the flow of chi while you sleep.
B. The Myth of Sleeping with Your Head Facing North
Feng Shui experts and Vastu practitioners agree that sleeping with your head facing north is the worst sleeping orientation. Practitioners of both philosophies wonder why sleeping with your head facing north is so common in Western cultures—especially if you have blood or cardiovascular problems such as anemia or high blood pressure. This is because when the body is lying horizontally, your pulse rate drops. This prevents too much blood from flowing to your head. Furthermore, if you sleep with your head facing north, the magnetic pull of this position could counteract this effect, as it exerts increased pressure on your brain.
If you are of a relatively advanced age, your blood vessels are naturally more vulnerable. In that case, Feng Shui warns that sleeping in this northern-facing position could be harmful to your health. This position can not only destabilize your energy levels but also increase the risk of bleeding and certain types of vascular and neurological conditions.
So what is the best way to position the bed for sleeping according to Feng Shui?
Choosing the perfect sleeping direction isn’t always easy: Should you sleep with your head facing north or south? Should you sleep with your head facing west or east? These are recurring questions that many people ask themselves. According to traditional Chinese medicine, the way you sleep can likely influence everything in your life. Your well-being, emotional fulfillment, longevity, and more. If you want to wake up with the best possible energy levels—supported by the Earth’s magnetic fields and the proper alignment of your living space—it’s better to sleep with your head facing east or south. This way, you can boost your energy levels, concentration, and mood.
If certain Feng Shui experts are to be believed, sleeping with your head facing east is the best sleeping position. According to them, this direction promotes meditation and concentration. However, you should consider sleeping with your head facing south if your goal is happiness and emotional stability.
So choose the east if you're looking for better rest, and opt for the south if you want a deeper sleep. Furthermore, Feng Shui strongly advises against intermediate directions, as they are associated with energetic instability and can cause sleep disturbances.
Feng Shui and the Orientation of the Bed
According to the principles of Feng Shui, the most important factor when it comes to sleep is not the orientation of the bed you choose, but rather the layout of the entire room. When you sleep, you are in a passive state known as “Yin.” According to the principles of Feng Shui, you are more receptive to the energies surrounding you during this time. Therefore, the location of your bed—and thus the type of energies flowing through your room—affects the quality of your sleep. Here are some tips on how to position your bed for good Feng Shui.
A. The bed's location in relation to the doors
In Feng Shui, the placement of the bed should follow the principle of the dominant position. It should be positioned so that, when you are lying in bed, you have a clear view of your entire room. The most important area to keep an eye on is the bedroom door. However, if you cannot position your bed in a dominant position, you should use a mirror to monitor the blind spot around the bed.
In addition to the dominant position, there are other guidelines you should keep in mind. As a general rule, you should avoid having doors open directly onto any part of the bed, for fear of injuring the parts of your body that are in the path of the opening.
B. The Arrangement of the Spaces on Both Sides of the Bed
For adults, it’s best to have empty space on both the left and right sides of the bed. Feng Shui principles advise against placing your bed with one side against the wall. The purpose of this empty space is to create a balance between yin and yang, making the room more harmonious and healthier for both partners. If this isn’t feasible for you, a small gap between the side of the bed and the wall might be sufficient. You can also balance the space by hanging a mirror on the wall next to the bed to expand the room from an energetic perspective.
It’s also worth noting that you should avoid nightstands with sharp edges. According to Feng Shui experts, right angles direct negative energy straight at your body, which can lead to a feeling of discomfort and restless sleep. If it’s too late to replace your nightstand, you can soften its corners by covering them with a flowing fabric or placing a live plant on top of it.
C. The Location of the Bed in Relation to Beams and Suspended Ceilings
To achieve better energy flow, the area above your bed should be free of beams and suspended ceilings. These can create unnecessary pressure that interferes with the flowing and harmonious energy movement desired in Feng Shui.
Unfortunately, these architectural features are difficult to change in most residential buildings.
One way to address these spatial characteristics is to cover the upper part of the bed with fabric to conceal the ceiling’s functional role. If the beam is not very large, you can make it blend in with the ceiling by painting it the same color as the ceiling, so that these areas of the ceiling appear less oppressive.
Colors and Their Functions According to Energy Flow
Feng Shui believes in the power of sound to inspire balance. According to the theories of Vastu Shastra, colors have a significant influence on the energy of a room. Just as the orientation of the bed does, the choice of colors can influence the occupant’s health, prosperity, mood, and overall well-being.
A. How do you paint a bedroom according to Feng Shui?
According to the Feng Shui color code, green is the color that represents the east and also the element of wood. It symbolizes family, health, and longevity. The west is represented by white, which is associated with metal and symbolizes creativity and fertility. Red, the symbolic color of fire, represents the south, which is beneficial for those who strive for fame, honor, and a good reputation. The north, symbolized by blue or black, represents one’s career and life path.
For bedrooms, Feng Shui practitioners recommend warm, rich earth tones such as deep brown, copper, coral, cream, peach, bronze, and cocoa to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Naturally soft colors such as sky blue tones and shades of green and lavender lend the room a calm and serene atmosphere and promote healing energy. Bright reds and oranges are generally associated with Yang, which represents the masculine aspect of the energy balance, and therefore have a very stimulating effect. It is therefore advisable to limit these bold shades to bedding, pillows, and other bedding accessories. If pink and red aren’t your style, try variations such as burgundy, pomegranate, eggplant, and magenta.
B. What colors are recommended by Vastu Shastra?
Given the role of the bedroom, practitioners find it best to keep the room light and fresh, with soothing and pleasing colors.
Vastu Shastra emphasizes the colors pink and pale shades of red. In Indian culture, these shades symbolize warmth and love. According to Vastu, pink or light red are ideal colors for a couple’s bedroom, as they strengthen the bond between partners and help prevent conflicts.
Orange tones are also very popular in Vastu. This fiery color is highly recommended for active people, as it symbolizes ambition, health, and vitality. Painting the south wall of your bedroom orange can motivate you to achieve your goals. This is the best color for people who are looking for motivation or for those who don’t feel comfortable in their own skin. However, this color is not recommended for people with a short temper.
Colors such as brown and light brown, as well as other earth tones, evoke a sense of stability and balance, which promote feelings of peace and contentment.
The color green is also highly recommended, as it evokes a sense of peace and relaxation. It is a good color choice for a child's room and for students, as it stimulates learning and knowledge.
Other colors, such as purple and lavender, are known for their positive effects on health, as they help calm the mind and get rid of nightmares. Purple not only makes a room visually appealing, but according to Vastu, it is also said to have healing properties.
If you're not into bold colors and prefer a simple space, white is the best choice. This light shade is calming and pristine, not only from an aesthetic standpoint but also from the perspective of Vastu Shastra, according to which white symbolizes peace, freedom, and purity.
In general, shades such as ivory, off-white, or champagne are highly recommended colors for creating an open, bright, and peaceful space.
After all, when it comes to getting a good night’s sleep, avoiding distractions, setting the right atmosphere, and making your bed properly might not be enough. Could it be due to poor sleeping positions? For all the skeptics out there: You have nothing to lose by giving it a try, and who knows—maybe it will revolutionize your well-being!
Of course,
Your Kipli Team