Where to sleep with your head correctly: the Slavs, according to Orthodoxy, according to Feng Shui, have tips for a comfortable sleep.

Most people do not care where to sleep with their head correctly; usually the location of the bed is decided based on considerations of convenience and saving space. However, it has long been proven that with a certain body position and bed placement you can significantly influence your health and overall well-being. Different ethnic groups, religions and groups of scientists have their own vision of an ideal sleeping place for excellent health and strength of spirit. Let's look into these opinions and decide which sleeping arrangement will be ideal for you.

Where is it customary for the Slavs to go to sleep with their heads?

Surely you have heard from your grandmothers that it is undesirable to sleep with your feet towards the exit of the room, because everyone knows the well-established expression “to carry it forward with your feet”, that is, to die, to say goodbye to life. This belief came to us from the ancient Slavs, who considered the door to be a gateway to the other world. It was believed that when a person sleeps, the soul leaves its shell and travels until awakening, and if you decide to go to bed with your feet towards the exit, it may not find the way back. Therefore, in Rus', the question of “where to sleep with your head correctly” was resolved quickly and uncompromisingly - however you like, just away from the exit. Now only grandmothers and those who are interested in studying ancient ethnic groups remember this sign.

The Slavs, who were interested in the issue of sleep, determined the most favorable sleeping positions based on the cardinal directions. Sleeping with your head in the north direction means health improvement and strengthening of the immune system; in the east - to vigor and energy; sleeping with your head in a western direction - to the development of skills and abilities; Those who wanted to gain wealth slept with their heads in the south direction.

Head towards the window?

Many teachings and religions claim that sleeping with your head towards the window is very dangerous. Ancient beliefs claim that at night a dark force roams the earth. Evil spirits look into houses through windows. Seeing a person, she can easily harm him or even take over him. This will lead to illness, health or life problems. Speaking of a more realistic reason, you should not sleep with your head towards the window because there is a risk of catching a cold. There are often openings and cracks in the window area from which cold air can blow through a person. The result will be colds and malaise.

Where to sleep with your head and where with your feet according to Orthodoxy

Orthodox Christians do not have guidelines on how to place a sleeping place. Orthodox teachings are based on the primacy of the spirit, not the body, so the location of the bed for them is a practical matter. Christians reject various teachings related to the arrangement of furniture in a room and do not recognize signs. However, Orthodox Christians also have their own superstitions. For example, Christians try not to sleep opposite the door. There is a belief here that is already familiar to us, which says that sleeping with your feet facing the exit is a bad idea. In this position, the coffin is taken out of the house - with the feet towards the exit of the room, so it is better to find a different position for placing the bed. The head of an Orthodox Christian's sleeping place is placed near the window, and his legs are strictly against the wall.

Which pillow to use for cervical osteochondrosis?

Headaches and dizziness that occur in the morning are the main sign of poor circulation, and the pillow plays an important role here. There is an opinion that if you have osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, you should abandon the pillow altogether, but vertebrologists do not recommend doing this. Anatomically, our head is comfortable being above the level of the spine. Otherwise, the muscles will be tense all night, and the neck will take an incorrect “hanging” position.

The pillow must be present during sleep, meeting the following characteristics:

Form. During rest, it must certainly be square or rectangular. Elongated or horseshoe-shaped bolster pillows are good only for short-term daytime rest.
Height. According to medical indicators - 9-14 cm. It is this height that guarantees the correct position of the body: the shoulders are slightly raised, the neck is slightly higher than the level of the head.
Size. It remains individual, but is selected based on the width of the sleeper’s shoulders. The main thing is that the width of the pillow is no less.
Rigidity. It should be moderate. Here you should pay attention to your own physical sensations. If osteochondrosis worsens, you need to consult a specialist.
Elasticity. Make sure your head doesn't sink. In this position, the cervical vertebrae are tense and unable to completely relax.

How to go to bed correctly according to Feng Shui

When choosing a place to sleep according to this teaching, you will have to resort to arithmetic. The teaching divides all people into two groups: Eastern and Western, which are determined based on the year of your birth. The calculation algorithm is quite simple; this technique promises to accurately determine the ideal location of the sleeping place just for you.

So, how does the calculation work:

you need to add the last two digits of your year of birth;
If the resulting number consists of two digits, add the resulting digits. For example, the year of birth is 1985, you add 8 and 5. It turns out 13, two digits, so we add it again, but this time 1 and 3. The resulting number is 4;
For male representatives, the resulting number must be subtracted from 10 (10-4), and for female representatives, it must be added to 5 (4+5). If the resulting number is two-digit, add its components again;
the final number cannot be equal to 5, if you received exactly that, then the number 8 (for women) or 2 (if a man is doing the calculation) is suitable for you.

The number we came up with is called Gua - an individual indicator that will help determine where to sleep with your head correctly for you. “Western” people include those whose calculated magical Gua number is 1, 3, 4 or 9; "Eastern" people work with numbers - 2, 6, 7 or 8. The head position for "Western people" is best in the direction of the north, east, southeast and south, and for "Eastern" people - northeast, south-east west, west, northwest.

Each cardinal direction has its own meaning:

north – development of intuition;
south – helps to make new acquaintances;
east - to find peace;
West - to find a strong family;
Northeast – suitable for those who want to develop their career;
north-west - helps to find true friends;
southeast - helps to gain confidence;
southwest - helps in the search for love.

A sleeping place organized according to the canons of Feng Shui will have a beneficial effect on all areas of a person’s life, from financial to love. An unfavorable position of the bed is considered to be the space between the window and the door; this position has a bad effect on a person’s well-being and can lead to family quarrels. Feng Shui also warns that sleeping in front of a mirror is unsafe for mental health, and if you suffer from anxiety, choose a place near the wall.

What do the experts say?

For proper rest, it is necessary to observe the so-called sleep hygiene.

Many somnologists advise focusing on your own feelings and choosing a sleeping position based on how you feel in the morning and your mood. Thus, it makes no sense to direct the head according to the cardinal directions, the main thing is that the sleep is healthy and the bedroom is comfortable.

Only a few medical specialists are convinced that the Earth’s magnetic fields and the phases of the Moon greatly influence a person’s well-being, psyche, and metabolism. You need to lie with your head to the north so that the fields flow around the body and fill it with energy. This is the only way to quickly and easily fall asleep and avoid nightmares, frequent awakenings, and insomnia.

Influence of torsion fields:

The head is turned to the east - the divine principle, spirituality, self-awareness, wisdom develops (among some peoples, the newborn is placed with his head only to the east).
Head to the west - vanity, anger, selfishness, envy appear.
Head to the south - longevity.
Head to the north - healing of spirit and body.

In an experimental observation, most people in a state of severe fatigue purely intuitively laid their heads to the east, and in an excited, irritated state - to the north!

Researchers' opinions on which direction to sleep are divided

Other sleep researchers claim that the best sleep is with your head facing east and north, but not south or west. Although it has been noted that there are people with individual characteristics of the movement of internal energy. On the contrary, when they sleep with their heads to the south and west, their well-being and mood improve, some diseases disappear, and a feeling of joy, vigor and inspiration arises.

Best sleep direction according to Vastu

Vastu

- Indian science that divides a house into several sectors according to the cardinal directions. Knowing the meanings of each side, you can figure out where to sleep with your head.

Each side is responsible for certain life processes, which depend on the position of the head in sleep:

East – responsible for position in society, creative activity;
south – for those who want to improve their health and find harmony with the body;
north - can add cruelty, coldness, harshness;
West – adds narcissism and commercialism.

The most favorable directions for placing your head in a dream are the east and south, but if you are prone to low self-esteem or consider yourself too timid and soft-bodied, try sleeping with your head facing north or west.

How does the disease manifest itself?

The cervical region is anatomically located between seven intervertebral discs, the task of which is to ensure free rotation of the head. This part of the body is characterized by weak, inactive muscles, the condition of which is only aggravated by an inactive lifestyle. However, this does not prevent them from taking on regular loads, which leads to various pathologies. The main signs of a progressive disease remain:

headache;
deterioration of hearing and vision;
the appearance of ringing and noise in the ears;
destruction of tooth enamel;
night snoring, whistling;
frequent dizziness, lightheadedness;
violation of movement coordination.

The main reasons for the development of the disease today are known to everyone: lack of strength loads, inactivity, poor posture, inflammatory processes (purulent infections), congenital pathologies, serious injuries and a decrease in metabolic processes that manifest themselves as a result of natural aging of the body.

The first symptoms of intervertebral disc dysfunction are pain in the back of the head, clicking sounds and discomfort when rotating the head. Neglecting these symptoms leads to other, much more serious manifestations.

How Muslims Sleep Properly for Health

Muslims often prefer floors to beds; if there is a bed in their home, it is low and small, devoid of unnecessary amenities. According to Islamic teachings, you cannot sleep with your head facing north; it is preferable to choose the south, east or southeast. According to Muslim traditions, it is necessary to sleep on your back or side; turning over on your stomach is extremely undesirable. This rule applies to both men and women. Another rule is that prayers must be read before going to bed, and the bed itself should be positioned so that you can easily approach it and lie comfortably on your left side. Such preparation for bed and the location of the sleeping place is considered correct according to Islamic teachings and helps to maintain health for a long time.

How to choose the right mattress?

A properly selected mattress is not only a comfortable rest, but also an investment in your own health. In particular, in the musculoskeletal system. For the purposes of both treatment and prevention of cervical osteochondrosis, it is worth choosing orthopedic options and changing them every 8-10 years. The size of the product should take into account the height and weight of the sleeper, the degree of rigidity should be moderate.

An excessively hard or soft mattress provokes a slow but rapid curvature of the spine and the development of the disease. On a soft bed, the spine will bend, disrupting normal blood circulation. A rigid frame will result in constant muscle tension. The best option is a latex memory foam mattress that can remember the curves of the body.

North

North - healing, both physical and moral. It helps the body get rid of harmful toxins, viruses and emotional disorders. In difficult moments, when the moral pressure on you is especially great, this side of the world is most suitable for alleviating this influence. Undoubtedly, this will greatly improve your well-being and mood, which will affect all types of activities.

It is also worth mentioning the fact that many doctors placed patients this way, supplementing standard treatment with this technique. This is still practiced in many countries (of course, in combination with standard procedures, and not instead of them).

How to learn to fall asleep quickly?

This has probably happened to everyone: it’s already 2-3 am, but you’re still tossing and turning and can’t fall asleep. Now imagine if this happens every day. To ensure that your body and brain respond to the “Hang up!” command the first time, make it a habit to follow these healthy sleep rules.

Live according to a schedule.
Train yourself to always go to bed and get up at the same time. Even on weekends. The body will get used to this and become more obedient.
Create rituals that will help you calm down.
It has been proven that watching movies, computer games, working on a laptop and even using a mobile phone are powerful stimulants for the nervous system. Therefore, it is better to spend the last 1-2 hours before bed without electronics. Instead, read a book, listen to calm music, or chat with family.
Use relaxation techniques.
Scientists believe that about half of cases of insomnia are associated with stress or strong emotions. Find your own way to relieve stress. This could be journaling, meditation, yoga exercises.
Allow yourself an extra nap at lunchtime.
To compensate for lack of sleep at night, take a nap at lunchtime. This will help you feel more energetic. But remember: too much lunchtime nap can do more harm than good. After all, having had a good rest during the day, in the evening you will not be able to fall asleep quickly again.

ON A NOTE! Alcohol also helps you fall asleep faster. However, this has nothing to do with healthy sleep rules. Alcohol deprives you of REM sleep. In other words, you will really “switch off” quickly, but this rest cannot be called complete.

Does paracetamol help with headaches?

Paracetamol is an affordable and time-tested medicine for various types of pain. The drug alleviates the physical condition and has almost no side effects. The medicine helps adults and children, but requires careful dosage when used.

Paracetamol mainly acts as a pain reliever. The phenacetin derivative inhibits the production in the body of compounds responsible for sensitivity to pain - prostaglandins. At the same time, it affects the thermoregulation centers, reducing high body temperature.

Paracetamol is good for relieving headaches in acute respiratory infections. In other cases, it is worth using another analgesic or seeking medical help. In some cases, paracetamol will only dull the pain, but not solve the problem completely.

Basic rules for healthy sleep

What can you do to ensure that your night's rest is refreshing and replenishes your strength? We offer you to familiarize yourself with the rules of healthy sleep.

Eliminate caffeine.
We are talking not only about coffee, but also about energy drinks. A cup of invigorating coffee is allowed in the morning, but not in the afternoon.
Stop smoking.
Tobacco smoke causes a sore throat and swelling of the mucous membranes. This leads to discomfort during sleep even in healthy people, and in the presence of obstructive apnea syndrome it becomes a real threat to health.
Leave the bedroom for sleeping.
Don't turn your bedroom into a multi-purpose room. A TV, laptop and even a mobile phone are not the best guides to the Kingdom of Morpheus. Therefore, you should not watch movies, read the news on your tablet, or work right in bed. You should develop a strong association: a bedroom is for sleeping.
Get physically active.
After physical activity, the body needs to recover. And the best way to do this is to sleep. That's why after training, sleep comes as soon as your cheek touches the pillow. True, you need to do physical exercise at least 2-3 hours before your night's rest. Otherwise, the nervous system will be overexcited, and you will not be able to fall asleep quickly.
Don't overeat, especially at night.
Firstly, falling asleep after a hearty dinner is not easy. Secondly, this is a sure path to obesity. Fat deposits in the neck narrow the throat, which increases snoring and increases the risk of sleep apnea.
Ventilate the room.
Most people sleep better in a cool room. If possible, install the temperature sensor at 18-21°C. Or at least ventilate the room well before going to bed.
Eliminate sound stimuli.
Silence is one of the conditions for healthy sleep. If it is not possible to eliminate all sounds, try controlling the situation with white noise (such as an audio recording of wave noise) or using earplugs.

South

The southern direction of the head is most often interpreted as the path of longevity and health . In most legends, the rulers of many countries slept this way. It was believed that this would help them live a long and happy life, the energy of which they could give to their country and people.

Most often, sleep in the direction of the south alternates with other cardinal directions. Day after day they changed sides to get a combination of the two effects. This approach, according to practitioners, brings unprecedented and unprecedented results that they were not able to obtain anywhere before.

Poor sleep and age: where is the connection?

Many age-related changes lead to insomnia and the inability to fall asleep quickly. Here are just a few reasons for poor sleep in older adults.

Sleep phase disturbance.
With age, the duration of slow-wave sleep decreases, during which the body recovers and is needed to preserve memories. Sleep becomes more sensitive and intermittent.
Hormonal changes.
This is especially true for women during menopause. Due to a decrease in the level of estrogen and progesterone, unpleasant phenomena such as “hot flashes” (a feeling of heat in the face, neck, upper body), increased sweating, nervousness and anxiety appear. Almost 40% of menopausal women have sleep complaints.
Certain diseases and medications.
The quality of sleep can be worsened by Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular pathologies, as well as sleep diseases themselves (restless legs syndrome and apnea). In addition, insomnia is a side effect of many medications.
Experiences and stress.
As a person ages, he becomes more and more worried about his loved ones. It also leaves an imprint on the fact that social activity among pensioners decreases, and they are forced to spend more time alone. Restless thoughts and fear of loneliness often prevent you from sleeping.

The rules for healthy sleep for older people are not much different from general recommendations. The main emphasis should be on physical activity. It also doesn’t hurt to find something you enjoy and be less nervous.

***

After reading this article, many will think: “Nothing new, I already know all this.” But let me ask: do you just KNOW all THIS or DO YOU DO? Unfortunately, the body does not have a button that you can press to instantly fall asleep. The struggle for healthy sleep can be long and tedious. But it's worth it. After all, our health directly depends on the quality of night's rest.

Let's sum it up

By analyzing and combining the recommendations and statements of various teachings, it is possible to determine the meaning of each direction of the world, and the influence of sleep in the chosen direction on human health and life.

North. You can improve your health, increase your material well-being, attract good luck, find inner harmony and strengthen family relationships. This sleep direction is best chosen by adults and married couples.
South. This direction is ideal for people seeking to climb the career ladder. The south side gives confidence in one's strengths and capabilities, gives a positive energy charge, and attracts good luck.
West. Reveals hidden creative potential, brings a feeling of deep satisfaction to life, and gives a positive charge. The direction is ideal for creative individuals - musicians, artists. Also, the Western direction is often chosen by people whose profession is related to magic.
East. Develops determination and gives confidence before starting a new business. Suitable for active people, those who have to work and communicate a lot.
Northeast. Sleeping with your head directed towards the northeast helps restore strength and reduces depression. It is believed that it is especially useful for older people to sleep in this position.
Southeast. People sleeping in this direction cope more easily with internal fears and complexes. However, this position is not suitable for everyone. If you feel discomfort in the morning after sleeping, the southeast side is not for you.

Somnologists advise sleeping with your head facing east to receive energy from the rising sun. Most often, people choose the best location for themselves by trial and error. If you are comfortable and comfortable sleeping the way you sleep, don’t rush to change anything. Perhaps a busy location is ideal for you.

But if you feel uncomfortable, try to listen to our tips to help you get the perfect sleep. Determining which direction to sleep with your head is better is quite simple. In a suitable position, your sleep will be sound, your dreams will be bright and pleasant, and your morning will be cheerful and positive.

To learn how to improve your sleep and get enough sleep, read our article - How to sleep correctly?