February 12, 2021

Could Your Pillow Be Impacting Your Sleep and Health?

Could Your Pillow Be Impacting Your Sleep and Health?

Most people tend to associate pillows with a good night's sleep. However, unfortunately, this is not always the case. In fact, choosing the right pillow for you may even be a bit overwhelming. After all, we are not only talking about all the different types of pillows on the market. We are also talking about their firmness as well as in your sleep position. All these factors play an important role in your purchasing decision. 

Ultimately, the main thing you look for in a pillow is comfort. After all, this means that you are waking up full of energy in the morning and without any pains or aches. But your pillow may be affecting not only your sleep but your health as well. 

Pillows And Pain

As we already mentioned above, not all pillows are the same. You may even have a couple of friends that tell you they're all using the same type of people and that's the best one in the world. But when you try it, it's just too uncomfortable for you. 

Ultimately, your body is unique. In addition, your sleep position may also be different. Just the simple fact of using a pillow that makes your neck bend in a certain way for an extended period of time makes that pillow uncomfortable and not suitable for you. 

In case you are a side sleeper, for example, you need to ensure that your pillow isn't extra soft. When it is, the pillow won't just be able to add enough support under your neck. On the other hand, if you prefer to sleep on your stomach, then you want to ensure that you get a completely different pillow. After all, a firm pillow will simply push your head back ever further. 

Sleep Deprivation

Sleep deprivation doesn't only happen to women who are taking care of their little babies. It can affect a lot of different people of different ages as well.

The truth is that sleep deprivation can also be due to the fact that you're using the wrong pillow or you're not positioning it as you should. This may lead not only to discomfort at night but it also has other consequences. For example, your body has less time for muscle growth, tissue repair, and other important functions that occur during sleep.

In addition, sleep deprivation can affect mood, thinking skills, and appetite. When you don't start treating your sleep deprivation soon, you may end up suffering from chronic sleep deprivation that is a much more serious condition. After all, it increases your risk of falls, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

Why It's Important To Choose A Good Pillow

Well, the most evident answer is your health. As we already mentioned, a good night's sleep is crucial to ensure that you can work and do everything you need. Besides, sleep deprivation also affects your mood and even your thinking skills. 

However, it is also important to keep in mind that a good pillow allows you to sleep in a better position which helps improve your posture. In addition, a good pillow can also help with some conditions such as acid reflux or heartburn symptoms. 

The simple fact of using a pillow that allows your upper body to be elevated to a certain degree prevents most symptoms that tend to get worse during the night. 

Besides, sleeping with your upper body elevated at an angle can also reduce symptoms of sinus problems and may prevent relapses of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo — a condition in which tiny crystals in the inner ear become dislodged and cause extreme dizziness.

 

 

Updated: October 13, 2024