Feng Shui expert Melissa Waite Stamps explains that 'a bed should never directly face and point toward the door with the feet pointing at the door. This is the position many Asian countries use to carry out their dead.
A north-to-south body position is considered the worst direction. This is because the human head is considered to have a polar-like attraction, and it needs to face southward to attract opposite poles while you sleep.
South is the best sleeping direction in the northern hemisphere while north is the ideal direction for the head position while sleeping in the southern hemisphere.
As mentioned above, sleeping with your body facing north is the worst-case scenario. The reason is that your head functions like a north pole. Additionally, it can lead to headaches and more health-related problems. Positioning your head towards the south is the ideal sleeping direction.
Worst direction to sleep
Just like the south is considered to be the best direction to sleep in, Ayurvedic experts suggested avoiding facing north while sleeping. This is because “sleeping towards the north makes the positive pole of earth coincide with the positive pole of our body, which repels each other.
People generally consider positioning a queen-sized, king-sized, or double bed against the center of a wall right opposite the entrance of the room. In this arrangement, the headboard is located right at the center of the space. This placement works well in a room with a square layout.
What Happens if You Sleep in the Wrong Direction: According to Vastu shastra, sleeping in the west direction is not a great idea. Sleeping in the west direction, with the head facing toward the west, is not a good idea since it causes unrest and interferes with a night's unbroken sleep.
The best direction for a bed to face is towards the south. This both helps you to avoid the death position – it is also believed in Feng Shui traditions to help prevent sleep disorders such as insomnia and make you less lethargic in everyday life.
Sleeping with the head facing north and feet toward the south is the worst sleeping position. It is based on the belief that our body is polar, and it needs to face toward the south to attract opposite poles during sleep.
Facing a bed towards a window is a better option than placing your bed underneath it, however, it is still not recommended. In Feng Shui, it is generally believed that, where possible, beds should not be placed directly in line with either a door or windows.
East: Placing the head of your bed in the East, represents creativity and the beginning or start of absolutely everything. The mind is percolating. If you are young, this is the perfect way to sleep. This brings out in any person feelings of ambition and growth and it easily promotes career expansion.
Never Let your Bed Face a Door
Feng Shui experts explain that your bed facing a door (be it the main bedroom door or a balcony door) is bad luck because the door will “pull” your energy away from you as you sleep.
Most people avoid the bed under the window at all costs. Further, feng shui rules warn against it as too much energy flows out of the room causing restless sleep. Even traditional designers discourage the positioning of a bed in front of the windows.
According to Vastu Shastra, sleeping in the east direction is good, while you should never sleep with head in the west direction. Sleeping in the east direction is considered good for health.
Some scientific studies have proved that individuals sleeping in an East-West position have shorter REM sleep cycles and eye movements as compared to those who sleep in North-South direction.
Create a Focal Point
The first thing you should see when you walk into a bedroom is a focal point, and typically that's the bed. Position the bed where it best fits with space on either side. Avoid pushing one side up against a wall, as that can make the room feel cramped.
Opt for open nightstands
Often the best storage solution is one that's hidden in plain sight. To that end, consider a nightstand with open shelving your best bet for space-saving pillow storage. “A nightstand with open bottom storage is the optimal spot for throw pillows,” say Bright and Meluskey.
People who practice Feng shui call it the 'dead man's position' or the 'coffin position' because the feet or head face the door and resemble how we carry the dead through open doors from the house. This is a position to avoid at all costs if you can.
If you catch yourself or other movements in the reflection it can be difficult for the brain to switch off and go to sleep. This can cause problems like “sleep paralysis” (also known as a hypnagogic hallucination), a condition which causes sufferers to feel as though they are between a sleeping and waking state.
To bring harmony to a bedroom the female should always sleep on the left hand side of the bed and the man on the right (if you are standing at the end of the bed looking at the bedhead). If you'd like to learn how Feng Shui can improve your relationships, come along to one of my upcoming workshops.
It boosts memory, increases concentration, and promotes meditative sleep, resulting in good health. East is recommended for scholars, teachers, and those looking for fresh career opportunities or promotions. The quality of this sleep is thought to make a person feel powerful and energized.
A bed is typically placed along the center of a bedroom's longest wall because this is the ideal location to make it a focal point of the space, but it's not your only option. If you have a large bedroom, placing a bed in the corner can make a bold statement.
It's not uncommon for windows to disturb the symmetry of a room. In these instances, a bed is a fantastic design tool. Placing the bed on the opposite side to the window will add an extra focal point and hence create a more open, balanced space.