Let’s get one thing straight: I love cozying up with a big, fluffy pillow as much as the next person, but when it comes time to catch those z’s, sorry pillow, you’re getting the boot for the night. I fall asleep faster, get more restful sleep and I am more comfortable without one.
While pillows are certainly comfortable, according to wallswithstories.com this was not their purpose when they were invented in around 7000 BCE in Mesopotamia. In fact, they were quite uncomfortable as they were made of stone and were used to keep bugs from crawling on people’s faces while they slept. They had no purpose for health or comfort.
Sleeping with an elevated neck can cause back and neck pain and put strain on your spine. It forces the body into an unnatural resting position. Most Inside reports, “The joint between neck and spine is quite sensitive and any displacement can cause severe disorders.” Bad posture that results from hunching over computers should be combatted while you sleep, right? Not if you’re straining your muscles on a pillow all night. The easiest way to work on your posture is by doing it while you’re sleeping — with no pillow.
According to Sleeping on the Floor Guru, “The bent-forward position of your neck on the pillow also affects your chest, contracting it and negatively influencing the work of your lungs. You get reduced airflow which in its turn affects many other systems of your body.”
Not only is it better for your back and neck, sleeping without a pillow offers better sleep. According to trustedmattress.com, by not using head or neck support, your body is stimulated to find it’s best and most natural position to rest. This eliminates the strain that pillows can put on your muscles, creating a relaxing, restful sleep.
Getting better sleep will help with a number of issues. Stress and anxiety can be reduced with proper rest. Bad and uncomfortable sleep positions can lead to waking up multiple times through the night. Not getting enough sleep can then cause you to wake up feeling groggy, cranky and annoyed. This also can cause poor cognitive performance in tasks like concentration and memory.
Pillows can also reduce blood flow and oxygen to the head. When your head is not level with the rest of your body, your system has to work much harder to pump blood to the brain. This can lead to headaches or light headedness when you wake up in the morning.
Poor blood flow, stiff neck muscles and a tense upper body are all contributing factors to insomnia. Try tossing the pillow for a night to fall asleep more easily.
Ditching your pillow has beauty benefits as well. Risk of facial acne and wrinkles can be prevented by not using a pillow. Many people sleep with their face buried in their pillow. The pillow cover is a great home for bacteria, oil, dirt and sweat that can clog the pores and cause breakouts. Pillows also put pressure on your skin while you sleep causing “sleep wrinkles” that can turn into permanent wrinkles.
While your biggest, softest pillow may seem harmless, you may want to kiss it goodnight and try sending it away for the night for your health’s sake.