Fast Track To Neck Comfort And A Great Night’s Sleep: A Great Pillow

Losing sleep is frustrating at best. Sleeping badly has negative consequences that spill over into your everyday life, from lack of concentration, to craving sugar-laden snacks to get through the day. If sleeplessness continues, long term health suffers and can reportedly affect how long you live. Make the decision to take care of your sleeping environment and start by setting yourself up with the perfect pillow.

The pillows’ important function should not be overlooked. It exists for a reason; to support the weight of the head and keep the vertebrae in the neck level with the spine. Without a pillow, or by using one that is too flat, the neck is forced to bend. If you keep that awkward position for around eight hours it’s not surprising if you wake up to significant strain in the neck the next day. A traditional pillow that is the right amount of firm yet soft is good starting point for sleeping well. Made from latex, traditional pillows have an extra advantage over stuffed pillows. Because they retain their shape over time, they will look just as good as they feel after months of use.

Knowing which side you prefer to lay on can help you choose a pillow better suited to your sleeping habits. While we all know that sleeping on your back is preferred by doctors, many of us prefer either the left or right side. This is ok for your spine with the proper pillow. A pillow made of down or stuffing may not provide adequate support. Some people find while their head sinks down, the sides of pillow rise up to cover your nose which does not make for a comfortable experience. A pillow made out memory foam retains its shape and bounce so airways are unobstructed, and the weight of the head is relieved from the neck so you can retain a stable, healthy posture all night long.

Pillows have another role to play in your sleep. They can be used to support the entire body for added night time comfort. When they are hugged to the front of the body, they prop up the abdomen and allow more relaxation through the back muscles. By laying the top leg over the body pillow, the downward force is removed from the hips, also easing pressure on the lumbar spine.

Those of us who sleep on the belly increase our chances of developing neck pain. In this sleeping position, the neck is forced to twist 90 degrees in order to breathe. While lying front-down may feel comfy when you are dozing off, it probably isn’t doing you any favours. Monitor how many headaches you experience, or aches in the neck or back. If you find yourself regularly reaching for the paracetamol, it might be time to train yourself to sleep in another position. You can start by propping your body up with a body pillow so you still have the feeling of weight in front of you. Then you can increase the angle slowly until you become a slide sleeper.    

In the end, finding the right pillow is about paying attention to the signals your body sends you. Those niggles and twinges that keep you tossing and turning all night are happening for a reason. Before you fall asleep, assess if your spine is supported, that your muscles are relaxed and consider how your pillow can support you caring for your sleep, health and wellbeing.