As we have ditched performing physical activities throughout the day and have started getting hooked to computer based jobs, the continuous sitting has made our spine and neck rather sensitive. Our ancestors hardly were accustomed to pillows as they indulged in strenuous work that kept their back and neck in great condition. The sedentary lifestyle has mushroomed up various kinds of diseases and disorders and one of the rising and most common issue among working people is chronic pain on the neck and back.
While even medical science has suggested using pillows for sleeping, people have also started using travel pillows for providing constant comfort to their extra sensitive back and neck, while on the go. Lately, there are some studies that made an astonishing revelation that sleeping without a pillow can in fact, aid in prevention of neck pain and spine related disorders.
We all think that every pillow is just another pillow. Researches show that most people hardly are knowledgeable in choosing the right kind of pillow. If the height of the pillow is high, then it can put your neck in a position that you will experience chronic pains in muscles, shoulders and back. In case, you have checked the pain with the doctor and has been suggested to sleep on a pillow, then choose the pillow that properly aligns your neck, back and lower back. Also remember that the pillow should neither be too soft or gooey nor too hard.
When it comes to health, people don’t think twice before shelling out few chunks of money. So all this while, when you suffered the pain and used a pillow, start sleeping without a pillow for a month to see a major difference coming. Here are pretty good facts about sleeping without a pillow that you must know:
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Improves Your Spine Health
If you are suffering from chronic back pain even after using pillow, then before rushing to the doctor’s clinic, try sleeping without a pillow. Sleeping on a pillow that is not helping in aligning your body in a straight line can be a possible cause for such back pains. Hence, remove the pillow and let your body get adjusted to its natural position. The joint between neck and spine is quite sensitive and any displacement can cause severe disorders for which you may even be recommended a surgery. Also note that sleeping on a mattress where part of your body sinks may aggravate the pain. Go for mattress that is soft yet stiff enough to relax your body and align it rightly.
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Helps You Sleep Better
Many studies have found that sleeping with a pillow causes strain on your neck and back muscles, thereby, disturbing your sleep. This disturbance compels you to change your position frequently. Your quality of sleep, hence, gets deteriorated. Experts are of the opinion that once you develop the habit of sleeping without a pillow, your body will get used to this position. Since the comfortability quotient will rise, your quality of sleep will definitely get better.
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Great For Improving Muscle Strength In Neck
Not all people have similar disorders and this is why, there are some people who may face such critical pain owing to the usage of pillow. There may a kind of disruption in the flow of blood to the neck and spine region and despite using the right kind of pillow, the problem may persist. Better, take that pillow off and allow the restoration of blood in this region to eliminate the root cause of the problem. Not only the blood circulation in this area will improve, but this will in turn, help in proper circulation of nutrients to these parts. Thereby, the strength of muscles in the neck will improve.
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Improves Facial Beauty
In our quest to feel asleep, we turn towards left and right and in this process, we bury our face in the pillow and our facial skin rubs against the pillow which may have pollen and other bacteria. This causes dirt accumulation in the skin’s pores and over the time, this aggressive skin handling may make your skin prone to wrinkles. To prevent affecting your skin’s texture from being hampered, throw away that pillow now and sleep tight.
How To Develop The Habit Of Sleeping Without A Pillow?
It is not easy to ditch that pillow once you have become habitual to it. You need to focus on improving your health now or else you will have difficulty in standing straight in your old age. Moreover, the rising cases of cervical disorders at young age is also an indication that you take corrective steps now. Therefore, you must start getting adapted to sleeping without a pillow. Go step by step instead of sleeping without a pillow from day one. This can make you extremely uncomfortable and distort your sleep patterns.
For the first two weeks, use evenly folded towel that makes you feel as comfortable as sleeping on a pillow. After this stipulated period, remove one fold and sleep on it for next one week. Go on decreasing the height of the towel by removing one fold every week. As you reduce the height of this towel, remember that your neck must be aligned properly and your chin must not face the ceiling.
The day your towel is completely in level with the bed, start performing some stretching exercises before sleeping and after getting up. This is necessary for getting your body accustomed to this new way of sleeping and to avoid sprains and muscle pulls in the neck and back.
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