Some people swear by blackout curtains. Others rely on lavender spray or a white noise machine. But there’s one thing often overlooked that could make or break a good night’s sleep: which direction should you sleep.
Key Takeaways
- Cultural traditions like Vastu and Feng Shui believe the direction you sleep affects your energy, mood, and rest quality—south and east are often seen as the most restorative options.
- If you’re wondering which direction to sleep scientifically, early research hints at possible benefits, but it’s not yet conclusive—so it’s worth experimenting with what works for you.
- The best direction to sleep in the Southern Hemisphere, especially in places like Australia and New Zealand, is with your head facing south or east, as these directions tend to support better rest and balance.
In this blog, we’re unpacking what sleep direction really means. We’ll look at cultural beliefs, dig into scientific perspectives, and figure out whether flipping your bed is worth the effort.
Curious if east is better than west? Or if sleeping with your head to the north is a no-go in Australia? Let’s get into it.
Jump to a section:
- Which Is The Best Direction To Sleep?
- Feng Shui vs Vastu: What Each Says About Sleeping Direction
- What Does Science Have to Say?
- What’s the Best Direction to Sleep in Australia?
- Other Sleep Tips from Vastu and Feng Shui
Which Is The Best Direction To Sleep?
Let’s talk specifics. Different sleep directions are believed to affect how rested you feel—some bring calm, others might mess with your energy.
Here’s what each one is said to do.
| Direction | Sleep Quality | Recommended For |
| East | Clear-headed, focused | Students, thinkers, early risers |
| South | Deep, grounded rest | Light sleepers, stressed minds |
| West | Mixed results | Go-getters, early risers |
| North | Disruptive, restless | Best avoided |
East
Is east a good direction to sleep? According to both Vastu and Feng Shui, yes.
East is often associated with clarity, renewal, and mental focus. Sleeping with your head to the east is thought to support learning, memory, and overall balance.
If you’re a student, a deep thinker, or someone who just wants to wake up feeling mentally sharp—this direction is worth a shot.
South
Is south a good direction to sleep? Vastu gives this a big thumbs-up.
South-facing sleepers are said to be more grounded, calm, and less prone to restless nights. In fact, sleeping with your head to the south is often labelled as the best direction to sleep, full stop.
It’s a go-to for anyone craving deeper, more restorative rest.
West
Is west a good direction to sleep? This one’s a bit of a mixed bag.
Some say it promotes drive and ambition. Others believe it’s a bit too stimulating for deep sleep. It might help you get out of bed early, but it could also leave you tossing and turning.
If you’re someone who already struggles with switching off at night, west might not be your ideal match.
North
Is north a good direction to sleep? Most traditional guidance says no.
Vastu suggests that aligning your head to the north while sleeping could disrupt your body’s energy and interfere with blood flow.
It’s not dramatic, but enough people report feeling foggy or out of sync when sleeping this way that it’s generally considered a direction to avoid—especially in the Southern Hemisphere.
Feng Shui vs Vastu: What Each Says About Sleeping Direction
Let’s get into the ancient stuff—because sleep advice didn’t start with sleep apps.
Both Feng Shui (from China) and Vastu Shastra (from India) offer detailed guidance on how your bed should be placed. And while they come from different traditions, they agree on one thing: your sleeping direction matters.
Vastu Shastra
In Vastu, the direction your head faces while sleeping is all about energy flow. It’s believed that your body aligns with the earth’s magnetic field. The recommendation? Avoid sleeping with your head to the north.
Why? Think of it like magnets. Your head (also magnetic) facing north can create a clash of forces, leading to poor sleep, stress, and even headaches. According to Vastu, the best position to sleep is with your head facing south. These directions are thought to promote rest, balance, and clarity.
Let’s see what they have to say about every direction:
❌ Head North – Said to pull energy out of the body while you sleep—think restless nights, weird dreams, and an all-round no from Vastu.
✅ Head South – The top pick. Thought to align your body with the earth’s magnetic field for deeper sleep, stronger health, and all-around good vibes.
✅ Head East – A go-to for clear thinking and sharper focus. Perfect if your pillow-time doubles as brainstorm hour.
⚠️ Head West – Can go either way. Some say it helps fuel ambition and success; others claim it leads to weird dreams and mental clutter.
Feng Shui
Feng Shui, a traditional Chinese practice, is all about promoting the smooth flow of positive energy—chi—through your space. The idea is that the way you arrange your room, especially where you place your bed, can influence everything from your sleep to your relationships.
In the bedroom, it’s less about compass directions and more about layout. For example, Feng Shui practitioners often suggest avoiding placing your bed directly under a window or in line with the door. Instead, the bed should be placed where you feel supported—both energetically and literally.
So, what is the Feng Shui sleep direction practice? Here’s the lowdown:
✅ Head West – Said to bring calm and contentment, but it might also make hitting snooze a little too easy.
✅ Head East – Great for go-getters. Linked to fresh starts, creative energy, and “let’s get things done” vibes.
✅ Head South-East – If you’ve been feeling mentally jammed or tongue-tied, this one’s meant to help get ideas (and words) flowing.
✅ Head South-West – The stable, grown-up choice. Brings steady, grounding energy that helps you feel settled and at ease.
❌ Head North – Often called the “sleep zapper.” Some say it drags your energy down and makes mornings feel extra heavy.
❌ Head North-East – Can stir up vivid dreams and restless thoughts. Not ideal if your brain already loves a 3am overthinking session.
⚠️ Head South – Packs a fiery punch. Might spark confidence… or crankiness, depending on your mood (and moon phase, let’s be real).
What Does Science Have to Say?
So… which direction to sleep scientifically?
The short answer: science doesn’t have a clear favourite (yet). But it’s starting to explore the idea.
While most of the research is early and not exactly front-page news, a few small studies have suggested that how you position your body—especially in relation to the Earth’s magnetic field—could influence how well you sleep.
One 2015 study recommended sleeping in a north-south orientation to improve sleep quality. That lines up with traditional advice in the Northern Hemisphere—but feels a bit off for places like Australia, where sleeping north is usually a no-go.
Meanwhile, a 1987 study found that sleeping east-west might shorten REM latency—basically, how fast you hit that deep dream cycle. But it didn’t say much about whether that direction was better overall.
So yes, the science is interesting—but not exactly conclusive. For now, it’s one more perspective to mix in with ancient wisdom and your own sleep experience.
So What’s the Best Direction to Sleep in Australia?
Here’s where things get a little flipped—literally.
Most traditional advice around sleep direction comes from Northern Hemisphere cultures. But if you’re in Australia, that doesn’t always translate perfectly.
For example, Vastu Shastra strongly recommends avoiding sleeping with your head to the north, because it’s thought to interfere with the natural energy of the Earth’s magnetic field. That’s based on magnetic pull running from north to south—but in the Southern Hemisphere, the dynamic shifts.
So, what’s the best direction to sleep in Australia?
Generally, sleeping with your head facing south or east is still considered the most beneficial. These directions are linked to calm, clarity, and better overall rest—whether you follow Vastu, Feng Shui, or just listen to your body.
And if you’re in New Zealand? The same advice applies. South and east are still the most recommended directions for sleep, thanks to similar magnetic orientation and energy patterns in the region.
If you’ve been waking up foggy or out of sync, a simple shift in direction might be the reset you didn’t know you needed.
Other Sleep Tips from Vastu and Feng Shui
While sleep direction is a big part of both Vastu and Feng Shui, it’s just one piece of the puzzle. These traditions take a whole-room approach to rest—where everything from clutter to colours can affect how you sleep.
If you’re curious to go a little deeper, here are a few more sleep-aligned tips inspired by these ancient systems:
Let your bed face the right way—and the right way
Feng Shui suggests placing your bed against a solid wall (no windows behind), in a spot where you can see the door but aren’t directly in line with it. This is called the command position—meant to help you feel safe, in control, and undisturbed while you rest.
Vastu shares a similar approach: your bed should be placed so your head faces east or south, with enough space around the room for energy (and air) to move freely.
Clear your space = clear your sleep
Both Feng Shui and Vastu agree: clutter creates chaos.
A messy room can lead to a messy mind—especially when you’re trying to wind down. Keep your sleep zone clean and calm, and avoid stacking things under the bed. That’s not just good design—it’s good energy.
Be mindful of mirrors and electronics
In Feng Shui, mirrors bouncing energy around the room can be overstimulating. Especially if they face your bed. Meanwhile, Vastu and Feng Shui both caution against electronics in the bedroom, due to the energy they emit (and let’s be real—scrolling till 1am never helps).
Choose colours that match your energy
Both Feng Shui and Vastu have a lot to say about colour. And no, it’s not just about aesthetics—it’s about how certain colours support different types of energy.
Feng Shui links colours to compass directions:
- 🟢 East – Green (growth, healing, fresh starts)
- ⚪ West – White or grey (creativity, money, clarity)
- 🔴 South – Red (passion, visibility, confidence)
- ⚫ North – Black (depth, communication, introspection)
Vastu, on the other hand, looks at your personal energy type—called a dosha:
- Vata (air + space) – Light colours like greens and yellows to balance movement and anxiety
- Pitta (fire + water) – Cool tones like blues and soft greens to calm intensity
- Kapha (earth + water) – Richer colours like reds and violets to boost energy and motivation
You don’t have to repaint your whole room—but even adding an accent cushion, throw, or artwork in the right shade might help bring more harmony to your space.
Finding the best direction to sleep is one thing—keeping your bedroom calm and clutter-free is another. Our Ecosa beds with built-in storage help you do both, so you can rest easy (in every way).