It’s no secret that the mattress you sleep on affects the quality of your sleep, but did you realize that your pillow can, too? Care while sleeping is not limited to a good mattress and the benefit of the mattress. Thinking about your pillow is a must.
Even with the greatest orthopedic mattress, you may wake up with uncomfortable neck, back, or body ache. Your pillow could be the culprit. Too soft or too rough of a pillow may create serious problems, although you might not notice them at first.
In this article, we will look at how a pillow may affect your sleep.
Is Eliminating Your Pillow Good for Health?
Most individuals wouldn’t dream of going to bed without their trusty pillow, specially designed to support proper posture by elevating the neck, head, and spine.
However, many claim that sleeping without a pillow might help you avoid wrinkles, have healthier hair, and even eliminate neck stiffness. There is little research on the subject, but what there is implies that doing without pillows might have some advantages.
Before you decide to stop using a pillow completely, remember that some people have problems falling asleep without one.
Before making any big changes to your sleeping arrangement, you must speak with your doctor. Additionally, some sleeping postures are more advantageous for pillowless rest than others.
Is Going Pillowless an Option For You?
Although there is little research on the subject, anecdotal evidence suggests that some people may relieve neck and back issues by sleeping without pillows.
Since this sleeping position naturally produces a more neutral cervical spine angle, people who prefer to sleep on their stomachs may avoid using a pillow.
There have been suggestions that going pillowless while you sleep may also be good for your hair and complexion.
1. Resulting Effects on Posture
One may not always need to use a pillow because different sleeping positions have different effects on one’s posture.
One must turn their head to one side while sleeping on their stomach, which could strain their neck. Since it prevents the neck from developing an even more pronounced tilt, most stomach sleepers find that sleeping without needing a pillow is more comfortable.
To avoid spinal misalignment, people who sleep on their sides or backs often require the support of a pillow. When you sleep on your side, there is the most space between your pillow and your head.
Therefore, higher elevation pillows, such as the ones advertised along with the mattress for good sleep, are recommended to aid in maintaining proper neck, spine, and head alignment and relieve stress on the shoulders while sleeping in this posture.
Sleeping on one’s back reduces strain on the spine and the neck but leaves a tiny space between the head and even the best sleeping mattress. When you sleep on your back, a pillow with a medium-lift will provide you with just the appropriate amount of support.
2. Chronic Back and Neck Aches
One of the possible side effects of sleeping in the same position every night is back and neck strain. Pillows are designed to alleviate this pressure by keeping the head in a neutral position, which aids in maintaining a healthy, straight alignment of the cervical spine.
A pillow, however, could have an inverse result under some circumstances. Because the best foam mattress is level and aids spinal alignment while resting face down, many stomach sleepers find that going pillowless relieves neck and back problems.
On the other hand, those who like to sleep on their backs and have a soft sleeping mattress like a memory mattress may discover that they are already capable of settling into a pleasant posture with their head and neck elevated above their weight-bearing stomach.
An extra cushion might cause the head to curve upwards too much, putting strain on the upper back and neck.
3. Reduced Wrinkles
According to studies, people who sleep flat on their stomachs or sides have their skin compressed the most by their pillows. One of the many factors that contribute to premature ageing is wrinkle formation while you sleep.
Try sleeping without a pillow if you don’t want to have wrinkles on your face in the morning. However, sleeping on your side or back could make spinal problems worse.
Other methods for reducing wrinkles include avoiding the sun, quitting smoking if applicable, eating a balanced diet, and applying moisturiser on a regular basis.
The Easiest Way to Getting Used to Sleep Without a Pillow
The transition to sleeping without a pillow may seem daunting initially, but there are methods to ease into it.
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Just take it slow
You may allow your muscles time to adjust to a flattened surface by starting with a tiny cushion or folded blanket.
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Think about your mattress
Check that your mattress is the right size and firmness for you. You should consider the benefits of orthopedic mattress or the support a memory foam mattress provides per your sleeping habits.
An insufficiently supportive mattress can negate the benefits of even the most luxurious pillow, but the right one may make going pillow less a more pleasant and sustainable option.
Selecting the Best Pillow
If you wake up uncomfortable and stiff every morning, you may want to re-evaluate your pillow and see if it is the perfect choice for your sleeping habits.
Instead of sleeping without a pillow, try switching to a different pillow type to see if it works better for you. If you’ve had the same pillow for over a few years, upgrading to a newer model can restore the necessary level of support.
Wrapping Up
Going pillow less at night may help some people who sleep on their stomachs. However, it doesn’t follow that everyone would benefit from it. If you don’t use a pillow when you sleep on your back or side, you might experience soreness.
You should get a high-quality mattress like a memory foam mattress or an orthopedic mattress if you opt to forgo the use of a pillow while you sleep. The top mattress brand in India, Livpure, offers a wide range of models to cater to customers’ individual preferences and needs. It’s time to go shopping right now!
