It would be useful to know how to make a bed rest pillow using the DIY tips below because let’s face it, there will be times where we end up sleeping upright. Sometimes, you are doing activities in bed, and before you know it, you are drowsing. You can even reuse these pillows as floor pillows for comfort and support.
According to Harvard Medical School, there are few risks in sleeping this way. However, you must be reclining back slightly and are generally comfortable in your position. Use this article to make the best bed rest pillow to help you get adequate sleep whenever.
Easy Beginner’s Guide On Making A Bed Rest Pillow
Reclining back slightly in a comfortable position should help you avoid problems in sleeping upright. As mentioned earlier, it’s essential to have support when sleeping upright, even though it’s not going to be your daily habit. The Harvard Medical School noted that sleeping this way shouldn’t be harmful, but it’s useful to buy or make a bed rest pillow.
Step #1. Cut out a pillow pattern
It should be easy to find a pattern for a pillow that you can use as a guide. Generally, it measures 22 inches at the top and 11 inches down each side, with the bottom around 56 inches. Cut out a fabric according to this pattern to have two pieces.
Step #2. Sew
The second step is sewing your pillow, but remember that you are sewing the wrong sides together when you fold the long strip’s ends. After this, you must sew starting at the middle of the bottom part of your piece, leaving the last 4 inches. Sew the wrong sides once more until you can turn the pillow with the right side out.
Step #3. Stuff
Once you have sewed your pillow securely, you can start filling it. A typical stuffing is the polyester fiberfill, and you’ll begin with the arms before the pillow part. At this point, you can control the angle to your preference by turning it in that direction as you stuff.
Stuff as much as you want, depending on what is comfortable for you. Then, you can lock the opening by hand-stitching it. You can also tuck a strip inside the pillow when sewing it shut if you have some left from the second step.
Why Do You Need A Bed Rest Pillow?
The unique shape and size of a bed rest pillow undoubtedly make it stand out from other pillows. But why will you need a bed rest pillow? You can use it as additional support when doing something in bed or floor, but it’s also useful for sleeping upright.
For example, those with common cold or allergies will feel uncomfortable sleeping on their backs due to congestion. This is why people with such conditions tend to sleep in a more upright position. Not only will this alleviate the discomfort from congestion, but it also drains it from your nose and throat.
You’ll feel easier breathing, but sleeping upright also has a disadvantage if done regularly. For example, this position shouldn’t be your usual daily posture when sleeping. Remember that as we sleep, it will be challenging to maintain the seated position, causing strain on our necks and pain.
If you experience neck pain or if you need support, it’s best to sleep in other positions except upright and on your bellies. Furthermore, use a neck roll pillow to help you achieve the proper position for your cervical spine. Overall, sleeping upright shouldn’t be dangerous, but it’s not the optimal sleeping position for every day.
Best Sleeping Postures
You might be wondering, what are the best sleeping postures? We’re all familiar with sleeping on our back, side, or front, but learning about the specific postures is beneficial in the long run. You can prevent postural injuries and ensure comfort for longer.
Pillows help achieve comfortable sleeping postures. If you are a back sleeper, support the arch of your back with a rolled pillow. Those who sleep on their side should have support around their weight, while those lying on their stomach should have a pillow under their hips.
Be aware that those sleeping in a fetal position can worsen back problems, but you can sleep on your side with your knees not curled too high. However, avoid sleeping on your side if that area is sensitive until it is resolved. You can add a pillow for support on the side of your body that’s painful to prevent rolling to one side as well.
Conclusion
Whether you are doing something in bed or on the floor or need to sleep upright, proper posture is a must for comfort and safety. It would be a useful skill to learn how to make a bed rest pillow to customize it according to you. It only takes three steps: cutting out the pattern, filling the pillow, and sewing it shut.
There are many DIY patterns on the internet, or you can ask a friend or relative if they have experience sewing their own bed rest or backrest pillow. The bottom line is to measure and sew everything well to ensure no problems throughout the process. More so, don’t make it a habit to sleep upright because even though it’s not dangerous, it shouldn’t be a daily occurrence.