Without a pillow to support the head, side and back sleepers may experience stiffness or soreness in the lumbar or cervical spine. Referred neck pain from not using a pillow may also contribute to tension headaches. Even when stomach sleepers don't use a pillow, neck pain isn't necessarily unavoidable.
Sleeping without a pillow can help some people who sleep on their stomach, but it is not a good idea for everyone. People who sleep on their side or back will usually find that sleeping without a pillow puts pressure on their neck. By doing this, it can ruin a person's quality of sleep and lead to neck and back pain.
There is some evidence that stomach sleepers may benefit from pillow-free sleep, according to Dr. Troxel. 'For some people, particularly while sleeping on their stomachs, sleeping without a pillow can reduce soreness in the neck and back by helping to keep the neck and spine in better alignment,' she says.
A good pillow works with the right mattress to support the intricate structures in your head and neck and keep your shoulders, hips, and spine in alignment. All of this helps your body to relax and rest comfortably, so you wake up feeling refreshed.
As for how humans slept without soft pillows, they likely slept in a more upright or reclined position rather than lying flat on their backs, as is common today. They may have also used blankets or other soft materials to cushion their heads and support their necks while they slept.
Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt
Pillows have long been produced around the world in order to help solve the reoccurring problem of neck, back, and shoulder pain while sleeping. Besides for comfort, the pillow was also used for keeping bugs and insects out of people's hair, mouth, nose, and ears while sleeping.
Specifically, sleeping on the side or back is considered more beneficial than sleeping on the stomach. In either of these sleep positions, it's easier to keep your spine supported and balanced, which relieves pressure on the spinal tissues and enables your muscles to relax and recover.
Potential benefits of sleeping on the floor include a cooler sleep temperature, relief from back pain, and better posture.
Back sleeping is the best position for sleeping without a pillow. Stomach sleeping is the most unhealthy sleep position, with or without a pillow. Sleeping without a pillow as a side sleeper can lead to neck pain due to improper spine alignment.
Your pillow cannot impact your sleep, but it can determine how much rest and recharging our bodies can receive. While a bad pillow is not the cause of headaches, neck, shoulder, or arm pain, it can certainly enhance many of the underlying issues that are linked to these symptoms and cause you to get a bad night's rest.
The Wrong Pillow Can Cause Discomfort
The wrong pillow can intensify headaches, neck and back pain, shoulder and arm numbness, discomfort, sneezing, and wheezing. Therefore it is important to know how your pillow can affect these things.
"Never go to bed without tying your hair up (for long hair), as loose hair can tangle. Removing tangles later can cause breakage," says celebrity hairstylist Fallon Toni Chavez.
Quite simply, she said, using a blanket helps us to deal with our lower nightly core body temperatures. It also increases the serotonin and melatonin levels in our brain which helps relax us and fall asleep. “Our circadian rhythm – that's our natural sleep rhythm – is a huge driver for our sleep,” McGinn said.
The way you sleep is absolutely critical to combating dowager's hump. Your objective here is to gradually straighten your spine by removing or adding support. Back sleepers: For you, the goal is to remove support until your head aligns with your spine. If you use multiple pillows, work your way down to one pillow.
By sleeping with the mat on the floor – rather than on a bed frame, as in Western culture – the Japanese believe it helps to relax the muscles, while enabling the hips, shoulders and spine to maintain a natural alignment during rest.
Better Circulation
Wearing socks in bed warms them up, increasing blood circulation, lowering your core body temperature, and letting your brain know it's time to go to sleep. And when circulation improves, this ensures good blood and oxygen flow, so our heart, lungs, and muscles can work at optimum capacity.
Keeping a mattress on the floor can result in unwanted moisture issues, which can lead to mold and mildew. To counter this, it's wise to periodically prop your mattress up against the wall to allow it to air out. Whenever you move your bed, be sure to check for signs of moisture, excessive dust, and bugs.
Pull your knees up slightly toward your chest. The pillow for your head should keep your spine straight. A rolled towel or small pillow under your waist may also help support your spine. Insert pillows into gaps between your body and the mattress.
Research reveals more women prefer to sleep on the left side of the bed than the right - and the reason why is super cute.
Cons: Sleeping on the left side can put pressure on the stomach and lungs, and affect blood flow, so it is best to switch it up… or you may experience numbness in your arms from resting on one for too long.
Around 7,000 years ago in Mesopotamia (current-day Iraq) the pillow was first constructed. Unlike our squishy modern pillows, these ancient relics were made from stone. Yes, cold, hard stone. They were used not for head and neck support, but to protect the head from insects.
The pillow hugger sleeping position actually has many benefits, most of which are psychological. Pillow hugging has a similar effect on the body as hugging a significant other. It triggers the release of oxytocin in the brain, which in turn can relieve pain, boost your immune system and alleviate stress.
Cultures from all over the world use pillows for decorating and comfort. Some cultures, like the Japanese, prefer to use pillows as seating, while other cultures, like Moroccans, spend weeks weaving decorative pillows and blankets for their homes.
However, pillows beginning in the Stone Age, were literally that, stones. Even as civilization thrived in places such as Asia, stone pillows were common. Other hard materials were also used in those early centuries, including ivory and wood.