Body pillows are special for their size and the level of comfort they provide to people while sleeping. Generally body pillows are 20 inches in width and 54 inches in length. They come in different shapes, such as I, J, U or C.
The main motive of a body pillow is to maintain proper spinal alignment and relieve pressure points. So, these pillows are popular among side sleepers, pregnant women and those suffering from back pain.
I guess you haven’t heard anything about body pillows yet. Therefore, you don’t have any idea how do body pillows affect sleep.
Considering that, in this article, we are going to provide detailed information in this regard.
Table of Contents
How Do Body Pillows Affect Sleep: [Beginner Guide]
Body pillows have a lot of positive impact on our sleep. Let’s check them out.
Improves Sleep Quality For Restless Sleepers:
For restless sleepers, body pillows would be a good choice. Restless sleepers tend to toss and turn while sleeping. Body pillow helps the body to stay in the correct place. Thus, it prevents active sleepers from sleeping in wrong positions.
Reduces Snoring And Sleep Apnea:
Obstruction of the airways is one of the main reasons for snoring. When you sleep on your back, the chance of your airways getting obstructed increases.
Side sleeping can help you to get rid of snoring, sleep apnea and other breathing difficulties. Air can pass smoothly through your throat to lungs, when you sleep on the side. Body pillows curve around your body to support the hips, spine and neck. These encourage the users to sleep on their side.
Relieves Back Pain:
While sleeping, we remain unaware of our sleeping position most of the time. You can easily end up in the wrong sleeping position, without using something to support the body.
Most of the people with back pain choose a body pillow for comfortable rest.
Supporting the hips, legs and neck and keeping in the correct position, a body pillow maintains the perfect alignment of the spine. Thus, it helps to get relief from back pain.
Improves Blood Circulation:
Sleeping in the wrong position can cause poor blood circulation in certain areas. A body pillow holds your body in the correct position and helps to maintain natural blood flow.
Relieves Stress:
Stress is a part of our life. Whenever you are in stress, your body produces cortisol hormone. Small doses of this hormone is good for health. But chronic stress can cause danger to your body. It can increase your heart rate and blood pressure dramatically, which is the primary symptom of heart attack.
Hugging is one of the best ways to get rid of stress. Hugging body pillows will also work similarly. This lowers cortisol and releases the hormone oxytocin in the blood, resulting in lower heart rate and blood pressure.
Good For Pregnancy:
Pregnant women find body pillows very helpful to improve their sleep quality and comfort. These pillows help to stay in the desired position while sleeping. It prevents pregnant people from rolling over their stomach. It also helps to decrease the stress and anxiety of an expectant mother.
Final Verdict
After reading this article, anybody should have a clear concept about how do body pillows affect sleep.
I guess, now you know all the benefits a body pillow provides. If you are a side sleeper or an expectant mother or someone who is passing difficult times with back pain, then purchase a suitable body pillow to lessen the hardship.
