If you want to know what is a bolster pillow used for, it serves as a support for posture, physical activities, and babies. One might think that bolster pillows only work as decorative pieces, but they can help you maintain a good posture, relieve discomfort, and assist you and your baby. Its shape is reminiscent of neck roll pillows, which somewhat gives you a clue how you can use it.
This article should help you learn more about using a bolster pillow to get the most out of it. You’ll be surprised with how versatile this pillow can be, and it serves more than as a decoration. You should also see the different types discussed below.
How To Use A Bolster Pillow
Posture support
The cylindrical shape of a bolster pillow makes it useful for supporting the body. Remember that it’s essential to have the proper posture while sleeping, and placing a bolster pillow in specific areas will help keep your spine aligned. To provide support, you can set the bolster pillow under your neck or back.
This way, you are following your body’s natural curves and prevent deviation from your spine. But besides support, you can also use the bolster pillow to prop yourself. Elevating your legs or feet can help relieve pain and discomfort.
Speaking of discomfort, you can also consider lying with the bolster pillow under your stomach to alleviate pain from gas. And finally, the bolster pillow is not only beneficial for sleeping posture. Those who spend a lot of their time sitting can keep an upright posture by placing the pillow on their back.
Yoga assistance
The right posture and position are crucial to our sleep quality. However, our practices and habits out of bed are also influential to how well we will sleep at night. A good relaxation practice is yoga, and you can also take advantage of a bolster pillow in your sessions.
Those who require support in raises and other floor work can use the bolster pillow. It makes an excellent substitute for blocks and other props, especially for those who are starting out. You can also get creative with the positions you’ll do with a bolster pillow.
Baby support
Much like other sausage-shaped pillows, the bolster pillow can be a useful prop for babies. Parents who want to encourage the development of their baby’s neck and back muscles can use the bolster pillow as a helper while their babies are practicing locomotor movements. You can also use the pillow while feeding your baby to keep him from sliding.
Who can use a bolster pillow?
The three examples above are some of the best ways to take full advantage of your bolster pillow. And in general, everyone can use this pillow, as long as you’re aware of its proper uses. For example, know the right placements on your body to keep your spine neutral or where to put the pillow to elevate an area that needs relief.
The bolster pillow can also work as a body or pregnancy pillow until postpartum. Some people require sleeping on their side, and this pillow’s shape can prevent them from falling out of this position. And best of all, the bolster pillow is compact enough to fit in most bed spaces.
What Is A Bolster Pillow?
A bolster pillow is a type of throw pillow with a cylindrical shape. However, this pillow is more than a decoration, as discussed earlier. These narrow pillows have a good shape and size to become versatile for various uses, and the market even offers different materials to help users find what suits them best.
If you want a more compact substitute for a neck roll pillow, pregnancy pillow, or body pillow, you can consider a bolster pillow. You can hug it to correct your posture while sleeping, and it can support your cervical and lumbar region with proper placement. You can even use it as a prop to provide comfort not just during sleep but also while doing yoga, or even for your baby who’s practicing locomotor milestones.
Types of bolster pillows
You can differentiate the bolster pillows in the market based on their material. However, it’s also worth noting that there are bolster pillows with a massage function, operated by batteries. They are excellent if you want to relieve pain quickly.
So, what materials can you expect to see in bolster pillows? The common fills include foam, polyester, cotton, and microbeads. It’s best to find what is comfortable and supportive for you to enjoy the bolster pillow efficiently.
For example, those who want something firm yet conforming can get memory foam bolster pillows. If you want something soft, cotton and polyester are also excellent choices, while some people prefer the feeling of microbead bolster pillows. The bottom line is finding the material that will be best for your intended use of a bolster pillow.
Conclusion
Nowadays, aesthetics can come hand in hand with functionality. If you’re always curious about what is a bolster pillow used for, you can mark it down as posture support, yoga assistance, and baby support. This cylindrical decorative pillow can double as a neck pillow, body pillow, and pregnancy pillow.
However, make sure to check the materials that will be the most comfortable and supportive for you to get the most of your bolster pillow.