Have you ever woke up feeling stiff and achy the next morning or maybe you went to bed on your side and ended up waking on your stomach? Changing sleeping positions during the night can hurt your back, hips, or neck and affect your sleep leading to various health issues.
But don't worry! A body pillow can help. Body pillows are usually taken for granted but did you know they are not only a great support for your body but also help with back pain, sleep apnea, surgery recovery, and many more issues and also help improve your sleep quality?
What is a Body Pillow?
A body pillow is a long pillow that is almost the length of your body, giving support while you sleep. These pillows are great for comfort, support, and releasing body pressure. They are also best known for relieving long-lasting or chronic back pain.
When you sleep on your side, your top leg normally falls, twisting your spine and making your shoulders collapse while putting strain on your neck. However, using a body pillow can help you sleep better and relax your muscles. Normally, moving around too much while sleeping can affect the quality of your sleep resulting in mental and physical health problems.
Different Types of Body Pillows
There are four different types of body pillows to support different bodily needs and health problems.
Pregnancy Body Pillows
These pillows are made to support the changing bodies of pregnant women. They help elevate back, hip, and belly pain by maintaining the correct alignment and position of the body while sleeping. Some best go-to choices can be Eli & Elm pregnancy pillows for that extra support and comfort.
Memory Foam Body Pillows
These pillows are super comfortable and mold according to the shape of your body, which is great for neck, shoulder, and back pain.
Cooling Body Pillows
If you get too hot or sweaty at night, these cooling pillows can make a great choice. They're specially designed to keep you cool and dry.
Wedge Body Pillows
Wedge body pillows are triangle-shaped pillows that are great for problems like acid reflux or snoring. They tend to lift your upper body which makes breathing easier and reduces snoring.
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Health Benefits of Using a Body Pillow
1. Aid Spine Alignment
Using a body pillow can help keep your spine in a good position, especially if you have a desk job or sit a lot during the day. When we sleep on our sides, it might feel comfortable, but it normally tends to bend your spine leading to severe pain. However, a body pillow can support your legs and keep your spine aligned with your body while you sleep reducing morning aches and discomfort.
2. Reduces Back Pain
A body pillow can help get rid of back pain and discomfort. It is especially useful for recovering from a back injury like a herniated disc. Physiotherapists often recommend them as a non-invasive way to treat such injuries. By supporting your spine and reducing pressure, body pillows can improve sleep quality and prevent further pain.
3. Relieves Joint Pain
Just like your spine and back, your aching joints will thank you later for using a body pillow. A body pillow can really help with shoulder, hip, and neck pain by giving your upper leg and arm some support.
It stops them from falling into weird sleeping positions, which can be painful. With a body pillow, your arms and legs can stay in a more natural position all night stopping your joints from getting sore. This is especially important for people with conditions like chronic arthritis, where falling asleep can be tough. Keeping your limbs in better positions might help with the pain.
4. Improves Sleep Quality
Most people find it helpful to sleep with a body pillow. It is said to improve sleep quality by reducing discomfort in your hips, back, and shoulders.
A study from 2021 in the Journal of Sleep Medicine Research gave people long body pillows to sleep with and found it relieved body pressure. Plus, those using it were able to stay on their side longer and had better quality sleep.
5. Helps with Snoring
Using a body pillow doesn’t just help you keep good posture while sleeping, it can also help if you snore or have sleep apnea. Sleeping on your back or stomach can worsen these problems because your tongue and soft palate can block your breathing. But if you sleep on your side with a body pillow, it can keep your airway open and clear.
6. Helps in Better Digestion
Sleeping on your left side with a body pillow can make digestion better. When we lie on our left side, it helps keep stomach acid from going back up into our throat. It works great for heartburn during pregnancy.
7. Boosts Blood Circulation
Have you ever woken up with a feeling of losing your limb? For side-sleepers, this is a common thing. Sleeping on your side can make your arm or leg feel numb or tingly. But using the right side sleeper body pillow can help. It opens up your hips and gives your arms and legs something to lean on, which further improves blood circulation.
8. Best Pregnancy Partner
Sleeping with a body pillow isn't just great for regular side-sleepers; it's also a big help for pregnant women. During pregnancy, sleeping on your side is recommended by experts for better blood flow to you and your baby. This position can ease pressure on veins and organs, provide more nutrients to the baby, and reduce problems like hemorrhoids and pregnancy leg cramps.
But finding a comfortable position can be tough when you're expecting, and that's where a body pillow comes in. You can use a full U-shaped pillow or other shapes like straight or wedge pillows to support both you and your bump.
How Can I Choose the Right Body Pillow?
- Decide why you need the body pillow.
- Pick the right size and shape.
- Choose a material and pillow fillings you like.
- Figure out how firm you want it to be.
How to Use a Body Pillow for a Better Night’s Sleep?
- For side sleeping, put the pillow between your knees and under your head and neck.
- If you're sleeping on your back, slide the pillow under your knees and lower back.
- For stomach sleeping, tuck the pillow under your hips and stomach.
- You can even try the zero gravity position for extra comfort.
The Bottom Line
Adding a body pillow to your sleep routine can make a big difference in how you feel the next day. Different types of body pillows solve different sleep problems— like whether you are pregnant, dealing with chronic back pain, or simply want the best nights sleep.
No matter whether you love sleeping on your back, side, or stomach, Eli&Elm has pillows that are just right for you. From body-to-side sleepers to pregnancy pillows, everything is made with your comfort in mind. It's time to start getting the best sleep possible. Pick out your perfect pillow from Eli&Elm today!
Sources
University of Rochester Medical Center: Good Sleeping Posture Helps Your Back.
Nature and Science of Sleep: Sleep positions and nocturnal body movements based on free-living accelerometer recordings
