Your Sleeping Direction Affects Your Night's Rest: Fact or Fiction?

Everyone talks about your choice of mattress, your bedtime routine, and the importance of a cool room. But have you ever stopped to think about the direction you sleep in ? No? You’re not alone. However, the position of your bed and your own “sleeping direction” can have more of an impact on your sleep than you think.

Have you ever heard that the direction you sleep can affect your sleep ? Some cultures swear by facing north , while others claim that east is the best direction to sleep . But what does science say? Is there a “best” direction to sleep, or is it just a myth ?

What do traditions and cultures say?

Feng Shui (China)

According to Feng Shui , the ancient Chinese doctrine of harmony, it is important that your bed is in a “ command position ”: you should be able to see the door, but your head should not be directly opposite it. In terms of direction, east or south are usually considered favorable. Head to the north? Not done.

Vastu Shastra (India)

Vastu Shastra, the Indian counterpart of Feng Shui , goes even further. Sleeping with your head facing south is recommended. Why? Because the body is then aligned with the earth's magnetic field . Sleeping with your head facing north is not recommended: it could cause restlessness, sleep problems and even nightmares.

What does science say?

Earth's magnetic field

The Earth has a natural magnetic field that runs from north to south . Some researchers claim that your heart and brain are sensitive to this. If you sleep with your head to the north, you are lying "against the field" , which can potentially cause stress to your body. You can compare it to swimming against the current.

Light incidence and circadian rhythm

The direction of your bed also determines where the morning light falls. If your bedroom faces east, you will be woken up by sunlight in the morning (which is great for your biological clock).

Which direction should my bed face?

• Try to point your head towards the south or east.
  Try to sleep with your head facing south or east if possible. You don't have to completely turn your bedroom around, but if it is possible to turn your bed around, it is definitely worth trying .
  

• Pay attention to the incidence of light.
  Do you wake up too early in the morning due to bright sunlight? Then sleeping with your face towards the east may not be ideal.

• Choose what feels good.
  What works for one person may not necessarily work for another. Try different sleeping directions and see which one works best for your sleep pattern.

• Don't move your bed every week.
  Rest and routine are more important than "following the book". If you have been sleeping well with your head to the west for 10 years, then there is probably no reason to panic.