Is it better to sleep with or without a pillow?
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Is it better to sleep without a pillow?
To pillow or not to pillow â thatâs the question. With so much choice out there, finding the right pillow can quickly become a thing of nightmares. So much so that you might find yourself giving up altogether and opting for no pillow at all. But is it good to sleep without a pillow? Does sleeping without a pillow help posture? And does it help you sleep better? Never fear. Weâre here to set the record straight, and weâre bringing sleep and clinical psychologist Andrew Mair along with us for the ride.Is sleeping without a pillow good for you?
When we sleep, our body is in the same position for hours at a time. This can cause strain in certain areas of the body, namely the neck and shoulders. Pillows are designed to support you while you sleep. They help to support the neck, help to keep the spine in alignment and create a comfortable sleeping experience, which is essential to good sleep. Theyâre clever little things, really.Why positionâs important when choosing a pillow
Even with the best pillows around, however, we all have our preferred sleeping positions, and so that means we all need slightly different set-ups. Love sleeping on your back? You might benefit from a pillow under your knees to help keep the natural curve in your lower back and reduce any back pain. So if youâre wondering, âDoes putting a pillow under your knees help?â the answer is that it does. More of a side sleeper? A foam or latex pillow will provide the necessary support to keep your head and neck in the right place. And if youâre living large by sleeping on your stomach, you might find that a softer pillow works wonders, or that lying flat without a pillow helps to keep your spine in alignment. So, is it good to use a pillow while sleeping? Well, if youâre down for a cloud that cradles your neck and the kind of sleep that gets you talking, then sleeping with a pillow might just be your jam.
If you do like sleeping with a pillow, make sure itâs a good one.