Your home is your personal space. It is an extension of your personality and reflects your dreams, goals, and aspirations. Your home is your refuge after a long, tiring day dealing with work, sports, social pressures, and stress. It is the place we have our meals and indulge in a refreshing sleep. Hindu scriptures and Vastu Shastra have clear guidelines about the directions for the placement of the kitchen, dining space, and bed to help optimise the nourishment and relaxation we get in the comfort of our homes.
The best direction for bedroom placement
According to Vastu Shastra, the ancient Indian system of construction and design, the best direction for the master bedroom is the southwest corner of the flat or apartment. The children's bedroom is ideally located in the north-west of the home.
In modern apartment buildings and residential projects, finding the perfect placement of the bedroom, according to Vastu Shastra, may be challenging. This makes it important to follow some basic guidelines, such as sleeping in a direction that will bring you a deep, restful sleep.
Which direction should you sleep in?
According to ancient Indian scriptures and the diktats of Vastu Shastra, sleeping with the head towards the east and the feet towards the west is best. This means an east-west bed placement with the headboard to the east is considered ideal. In case this is not possible, you can pick a bed with a headboard that faces the northeast direction. Sleeping with the head facing west and the feet facing east is also considered a suitable placement.
Which direction should your bed not face?
According to the Hindu Shastras, a person should not place his head in the north. Ancient mythology suggests that Yama, the God of death, resides in the extreme south. In many Hindu families, after death, the corpse is placed with the head to the north for the same reason. This means that if we sleep with our head to the north, we face the south, and such a placement is prohibited. So, if you are wondering which direction to sleep, Hindu scriptures prohibit the placement of a head with the headboard to the north and the foot to the south. So, if the home design makes it imperative for the bed to be placed north-south, you may consider placing the headboard to the south and sleeping facing north. This is entirely acceptable.
Some scientific studies endorse this Hindu view of the sleeping direction. According to these studies, the polar north and the magnetic energy of the earth leaves a negative impact on the nervous system when we sleep facing the south. While more research and sleep studies are being undertaken, this guideline pertains to those living in the northern hemisphere of the world and in countries that lie above the equator. For those living in the southern hemisphere, sleeping with the head to the north is acceptable, but sleeping facing the south may be harmful.
Waking up with energy
Apart from teaching us which direction to sleep, Hindu scriptures also tell us the best way to wake up for a vibrant and energetic day. As soon as we wake up, it is a good idea to roll to the right side. This eases the sudden pressure on the heart and the cardiac system. Getting up slowly, sitting on the bed and rubbing our hands together is considered ideal. This activates the energy chakras of the body. Place the palms on the eyes; this stimulates the nervous system. Now pray to a deity and get up with a smile.
Sleep hygiene
Insomnia and stress are growing issues in this new world of technology and digital systems. Ancient Indian practices emphasise practising sleep hygiene. Painting the bedroom with soothing, calming colours and having floral paintings and décor pieces are good ways to calm the mind before going to bed. Scientists recommend avoiding screen exposure before sleeping. This makes it a good idea to avoid installing television or electronic devices in the bedroom. Having a light meal, listening to soothing music and reading some inspiring ancient Hindu scriptures before bedtime is a good idea.
It is important to remember that the quality of sleep is one of the main factors for maintaining good health and operating effectively during the day. Sleeping for 6-8 hours at night is ideal for adults. Children should be encouraged to maintain regular bedtime and wake up at approximately the same time each day.