We’ve discussed how vital sleep is to your waking life and what steps you can take to get better sleep. This week we wanted to cover an overlooked piece of the sleeping puzzle: your pillow.
Everyone’s sleep needs are different, but most people fall into one of three main sleeping positions: some sleep on their back, others that sleep on their front, and most sleep on their side.
And depending on your sleeping posture, you may require a different pillow than what you are currently using.
Think of it this way, being without the right pillow to match your sleeping style is like showing up to a baseball field wearing hockey gear- it’s great that you’re trying, and you are technically dressed for a sport, but you’re missing the mark in a pretty significant way.
Sleeping on your back.
If you prefer to sleep on your back, most strain will rest on your neck and spine. Alleviating this pressure means getting a wedge pillow to raise your head enough to take the pressure off your neck, without raising your head high enough to cause 3 a.m. headaches.
Additionally, a small pillow or rolled up towel under the knees will also help evenly distribute pressure across your body, ensuring the best sleep possible for your posture.
If you sleep on your back and suffer from snoring and sleep apnea, you may want to rethink your sleeping posture or invest in a CPAP machine.
Sleeping on your stomach.
People that sleep on their stomachs make up 14% of all sleepers and break down into two categories: Prone and Freefall. Prone position is usually sleeping on your stomach with your face down and does not put your body in neutral position, putting pressure on your neck and back. Freefall sleepers work themselves into a similar position, but sleep with their face to one side and hugging a pillow, putting their body into a more neutral position.
Thick pillows will cause stress on your head, shoulders, and neck because your neck will arch upwards. Thin pillows will prevent your neck from tilting too much and is the perfect pillow for sleeping on your stomach, no matter the posture.
Sleeping on your side.
As the posture of choice of an overwhelming majority of people at a whopping 69% of sleepers, sleeping on your side has significantly fewer drawbacks than sleeping in any other position.
Thick and firm pillows will help keep your head and neck aligned while you sleep. If you move around a lot at night, find a more plush pillow that easily changes shape. If staying still throughout the night is more your speed, then a solid pillow that supports your head in one position all night will help keep you asleep.
The biggest drawback of sleeping on your side is your pillow comes in close and long lasting contact with your face, and if you do not take proper care of your pillows, that can lead to premature wrinkles and acne. Counteract this by purchasing hypoallergenic pillow cases and clean them as recommended on the tag.
Getting a refreshing night’s sleep is the cornerstone to having a happy and productive day, make getting a good sleep a priority and upgrade your sleep with one of our stylish Pallet Beds, a platform bed in a pallet style. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for giveaways, tips on better sleep, and more!
Citations and Resources:
https://www.onhealth.com/content/1/best_sleeping_positions_sleep
https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/best-sleep-positions
https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-sleep/sleeping-on-your-back-how-to#2.-Invest-in-the-right-support-for-your-neck
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/choosing-the-best-sleep-position
https://www.sleep.org/best-sleep-position/
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home-products/pillow-reviews/g30627120/best-pillows-for-side-sleepers/