A good night's sleep offers you an excellent opportunity to rest and allows your body to replenish, repair, and prepare for the next day. Sufficient rest and sleep at night also limit your chances of feeling tired after lunch. But, adequate sleep is a combination of several factors, including your environment, mental health, and sleeping conditions.
Your bedding entails the most significant part of having this satisfyingly restful night. While many people may not recognize the need, a suitable pillow is a priority for your sleep health. Your pillow offers you comfort while sleeping and ensures your spine, head, neck, and back receive sufficient support and maintain the necessary alignment.
Related Blog: 6 Types of Pillows and the Comfort Benefits of Each One
How Important Is My Pillow?
To many users, pillows are items for comfortable sleep. But, the benefits extend beyond the physical comfort you feel when resting your head and neck on that pillow. According to Spine Health, a suitable pillow contributes significantly to your general and spine health. Here are the top benefits.
1. Pillows Are Crucial for Your Spine Health
Humans devote a third of their lives to sleep. Thus, you generally spend more time in your life in bed than in any other activity.
Keeping a single posture for long, especially if it doesn't support your intricate organs, can be detrimental to your spine health. But, using a pillow for support can help your spine rest well. The comfort and aid boost your sleep quality, allowing your body to heal from nervous, postural, and physical challenges.
People with spinal disorders can also benefit from the support of pillows, as it allows your spine to rest and replenish.
2. Pillows Limit Neck and Back Pains
Sometimes you wake up feeling tired or having pains in your neck and back. Have you ever considered that your sleeping posture could be the culprit behind your discomforts? Spending significant time sleeping in a single position increases pressure on specific body parts like your neck and back, resulting in sleep-related pains.
A suitable pillow minimizes the pressure on the specific points by supporting your head at a comfortable level. The stress spreads off your cervical area, and your spine, head, and back keep the correct alignment. That reduces the typical back and neck pains.
3. Pillows Enhance Sleep Comfort
Comfort is the primary reason people want to use pillows while sleeping. The human body is naturally curved. Supporting your neck, back, and head enables your body to keep the proper posture and fosters the correct alignment of every part of your spine. That eliminates the discomfort of poor sleep and provides room for sufficient rest.
Should I Sleep with a Pillow?
The type of pillow you need depends on your sleeping position and what makes you comfortable. However, comfort is very subjective when it comes to this matter.
What works for one sleeper may be very uncomfortable for the next. Back sleepers, for instance, find a medium-high pillow comfortable enough to keep the head and spine in alignment. On the other hand, side sleepers prefer relatively thick and firm pillows to support the neck and head and an additional thinner pillow beneath the knees.
Most stomach sleepers find using pillows uncomfortable. But, if you need one, a thinner pillow is a good choice. Pillows with two features in one are a great choice if you're a combination sleeper.
Signs I Need to Replace My Pillow
Your pillow health depends on the quality and type of cushion you use. But, wear and tear happens for all items, and, sooner or later, you'll need to replace your pillow for healthy sleep and comfort. Some of the signs you need a pillow replacement include?
- Your pillow has stayed beyond the expiration date
- Your pillow has a bad smell
- After extended use
- The pillow is flat to fold and doesn't regain its original shape
- You wake up with neck and shoulder pains
A pillow is an essential item for your sleep health. However, the benefits depend on finding the right match for comfort. Consider trying different options to get the best choice for you. Land of Sleep has all the solutions you need for your sleep convenience and health. Reach out today, or visit our store locations in Sarasota, or Venice. 
