If you want the answer to the question, why use a body pillow, the answer is simple, and it’s the numerous health benefits it offers. You might think that a body pillow only provides comfort or additional aesthetic in the bedroom, but it is also advantageous for multiple individuals.
More than sleeping more comfortably, you can use the body pillow if you are suffering from a physical condition or recovering from something painful and causes discomfort. One can conclude that a body pillow will be a useful addition to any home, regardless of who owns it. Below are some reasons to convince you and help you make the most of a body pillow.
3 Reasons Why You Should Get A Body Pillow
Calming relief and comfortable sleep
We all know that hugging is beneficial for our health. Therefore, having a body pillow to hug when you sleep can help alleviate stress because this action reduces blood cortisol levels. Remember that cortisol is the stress hormone that’s responsible for increasing heart rate and blood pressure that can make it hard to sleep.
More so, if your mind is stressed or if you are feeling anxious, it’s difficult to feel relaxed and encourage drowsiness. Hugging a body pillow can help you reduce the stress hormone for a more relaxing night. Finally, using a body pillow makes it easy to stay on your side while sleeping and avoid body pain that’s common with other positions.
Relieve pressure and pain
Speaking of pain, did you know that a body pillow can relieve you of such discomfort? More than a stress-free mind and comfortable sleeping position, you also need to reduce your body’s pressure points to avoid painful areas as you sleep. A body pillow is a useful solution to ease the pressure on your body.
You can place it between your knees or wrap the pillow around your arms to maintain a well-aligned and neutral spine. Hugging a body pillow should help release pressure points in your shoulders and hips if you sleep on your side. And besides supporting your arms and legs, a C-shaped or U-shaped body pillow also helps reduce back and neck pain like a neck roll pillow.
Minimize snoring
As mentioned earlier, sleeping on the side is one of the best sleeping positions. But more so, side sleeping can benefit those who snore and have sleep apnea since it helps reduce these conditions. The emphasis is necessary that sleeping on your left side is ideal, but the position can still cause stiffness, particularly on your shoulders and jaw.
You can solve this problem by using a body pillow and support your neck and back. If you have to sleep on your side to alleviate heartburn, having a body pillow will also get you used to side sleeping. You can even consider having the pillow between your lower legs to help prevent lower back pain by aligning your hips.
Who Should Use A Body Pillow?
In general, everyone can use a body pillow and benefit from it. It can promote better sleeping posture, straighten your spine, and alleviate pressure. However, if you sleep on your side, have back pain, or pregnant, make it a point to get a body pillow without any hesitation.
The shoulders and hips, while sleeping on the side, typically take the weight of the body. You can alleviate pain and tension by wrapping your arms around a body pillow to support it. You can also tuck it between your knees to prevent misalignment of your spine.
Speaking of maintaining a neutral spine, using a body pillow should ease back pain. Pregnant women who need to sleep on their side for comfort and better circulation to the fetus can also benefit from a body pillow. Adding this to the bed can help support them and alleviate pressure points.
How To Improve Sleep Quality
Besides using a body pillow, there are also some other ways to improve your quality of sleep. For example, the mattress also plays a significant role in sound sleep. It influences your spine alignment and joint pressures, much like a body pillow.
More so, the fabric you use for your bedding and pillow can affect your comfortability. This is why there are products like the Chillow Pillow that you add to keep your pillow cool throughout the night. Additionally, remember that the breathability of the material for your covers can also enhance sleep.
Finally, be aware of the ideal night time temperatures between 60 to 67°F or approximately 65°F. Please do not overlook the importance of sleeping in a cool room because studies have shown its effect on sleep quality.
Conclusion
You can always improve your sleeping experience by adding a body pillow. But why use a body pillow? Hugging a body pillow can lower the stress hormone cortisol and have a more peaceful night.
More so, the unique shapes that body pillows offer can target pressure points and prevent strained and painful body areas. You can even minimize snoring by sleeping on your side with a body pillow to support you and keep your spine neutral. Overall, having a body pillow does not only add comfort, but it can also keep you healthy and pain-free in the long run.