Take Your Sleeping Comfort Up a Notch with the Right Body Pillow

It is a well known fact that people have different sleeping styles and just like with every other aspect of our human lives where we are witnessing new inventions and improvements, the same goes for this one since today there is an incredibly wide range of different types of pillows, designed to increase the comfort according to individual needs.

Well, as it turns out, side sleepers are reaping the most benefits, although we are all combination sleepers and there is no one perfect way to sleep and there are pros and cons to everything.

However, by side sleeping, one can allow their spine to fall into proper alignment naturally. Stomach sleepers, on the other hand, twist their spine all night, and this puts them at risk of hurting their necks. Back sleepers are the crowned snoopers and that is no coincidence as they are tilting their chins upward which constantly encourages this.

In light of that, since side sleepers seem to have it right (or left, depending on the moment, chuckles) let’s see how can we turn something that’s already good into something better. Well, first of all, since their heads are higher off the mattress that creates the need for something different than the normal pillow we all know. What I am referring to is a memory foam pillow that has a high loft which can fill the space.

memory foam pillow

If you are a side sleeper, and your pillow isn’t high enough, your head and neck are going to get out of alignment with your spine thorough the night which result in headaches and a stiff neck. The latter can turn into permanent neck problems which are hard to reverse. Well, this is when body pillows come in as they are designed with side sleepers in mind and for preventing the above-mentioned risks.

If you haven’t heard of this type of pillow yet, body pillows are longer than the standard ones and offer more comfort for side sleepers as they can tend to all of the requirements of this position, both the fetal variation and the normal side position. They come in various styles and can be made of different materials. The measurements of most body pillow models are 20 x 54 inches in length.

side sleeping

One of their most common uses is to provide a variety of support for the purpose of alleviating joint pain while maintaining a position that benefits the spine. Users love to place them along headboards as well and this way they can double as both head and joint pressure point relief all at once. Pregnant women also enjoy to reap the benefits that come with body pillows for extra support.

When choosing a body pillow it’s important to focus on quality materials. Side sleepers that are already using body pillows constantly report that they enjoy the conforming feel of memory foam pillows the most. The reason for this is the way in which the material molds to the head and neck and this helps alleviate discomfort and prevent the developing of new pressure points.

body pillow

There are also such pillows made of cotton pillow and they are generally more affordable and portable, and there are also buckwheat and down made ones, but nothing beats memory foam comfort-wise.

When it come to shape, straight, flat body pillows are the most common type, but there are also a few other useful shapes. Circular pillows, for instance, can offer firmer support than certain flat pillows, and they are considered more comfortable for the knees and chest. C, J, or U-shaped body pillows are great for back, neck and head support. U-shaped pillows can offer the most support for the whole body, which makes them a favourite among pregnant women or people with back injuries.

The reason why premium quality visco-elastic memory foam is the type of material that can provide the most benefits is that it can mold to support different areas of body (head, neck, lower back, knees, hips, legs and ankles). This way, it helps ensure spine and hip alignment, thus leading to relaxation. One can use such body pillow also as lumbar support for sitting and for when in sleeping position, it can relieve the lower back and sciatic nerve pains, alleviate the symptoms of scoliosis and offer sciatic pain relief.

body pillow u shape

These pillows can also be used as a spacer between one’s legs. You can also use it to elevate your legs while sleeping on your back, or put it under your ankles as to raise your feet for the purpose of better circulation. This can help reduce varicose veins and accelerate post surgery recovery. You can even use it as a car seat back lumbar support while driving and feel more supported and relaxed.

Finally, remember that many body pillows have some off-gassing when first taken out of the packaging. Although harmless, it is advisable to let your body pillow sit in a well-ventilated area for a few days before you start using it. In addition, this will allow the tightly-packaged pillows to expand to their full size.