About Sleep
Sleep Related Conditions
Sleep Disorders
The pillow has nearly become an indispensable item for everyone when sleeping. What’s the necessity of the pillow? How about sleeping without a pillow? Is it good for our sleep? If you are curious about these questions, this article will show you some secrets about the pillow.
Do Pillows Affect Sleep?
When it comes to pillows, people tend to imagine a puffy one filled with mounds of fluff which can make your head more comfortable when lying on it. But its role is much more than that.
First of all, it can keep the spine aligned in different sleeping positions to prevent neck, shoulder, or back pain. When you lie on a flat surface, one or two pillows could support the natural curve of your neck.
Secondly, a pillow can not only rest your head but also your shoulder. Without a pillow, your head will hang in the air when sleeping on your side.
Another benefit of sleeping with a pillow is that it enables you to breathe more easily, especially for those who have rhinitis. Pillows can lift the head above the body so that blood pools away from the head, and the airway can remain less congested.
Additionally, some pillows stuffed with herbal medicines have the effect of calming and aiding sleep.
Is It Beneficial For Everyone To Sleep Without A Pillow?
whether or not you sleep with a pillow depends largely on the position you sleep in most of the night.
If you are a side sleeper, it might not be recommended to sleep without a pillow. Side sleepers need a pillow to work with their mattress to keep their spine straight while sleeping, from the head to hips. A thick and supportive pillow is required to fill the gap between your neck and shoulder, which could retain the head and neck aligned with the spine. Besides, a thin pillow between kneels can also relieve strain and keep the spine straight all the way down to your hips.
If you are a back sleeper, you could have a try at sleeping without a pillow. In this position, there’s less unsupported space between your neck and shoulders than sleeping on your side. Before completely adapting yourself to the way of sleeping without a pillow, you could try the thin pillow at first.
If you are a stomach sleeper, you might benefit more from sleeping without a pillow than other sleepers. Though sleeping on the stomach is regarded as an unhealthy sleeping position, some people might have this sleeping habit. For them, sleeping with a thick pillow tends to be uncomfortable, since it raises the head level above the rest of the spine resulting in pain in the back and neck. Therefore, pillow-free seems to be better for them.
Tips For Sleeping Without A Pillow
If you want to try sleeping without a pillow, there are some tips for you.
1. Gradually reduce the height of your pillow
2. Choose the right mattress to keep the spine alignment
3. Avoid sleeping on your side
To sum up, sleeping without a pillow is not suitable for everyone. It depends on what kind of sleeping position you take. Also, whether you choose to sleep without a pillow depends on your personal preferences and sleep needs. The ultimate goal is to have a comfortable and good sleep.
If you have trouble sleeping, try ShutEye®, an all-in-one sleep app. ShutEye® brings a wide variety of tools to help you fall asleep. And you can understand your sleep cycles from a scientific perspective.
So stop tossing and turning all night, and start falling asleep healthily and naturally.
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