Decorating your bed with huge, fluffy pillows can look appealing to the eye, luring you in for a snooze. Although pillows provide comfort for some at night, many may experience pain the following morning.
To avoid the aches and pains, and other pillow-related cons, see below the benefits of sleeping without a pillow, according to PharmEasy.
1. Prevents stress
Sleeping with the wrong pillow can have you changing positions throughout the night, leading to a sleepless night. Ditching the pillow can naturally decrease your stress levels and improve your quality of sleep.
2. Reduces allergies
For some, laying your head down on pillows and pillowcases that are not regularly washed can aggravate allergies due to the build up of bacteria, dust, and particles that come into contact with their face. Do away with the pillow to avoid this frustration. Alternatively, if you cannot sleep without a pillow, invest in a hypoallergenic one.
3. Improves posture
Sleeping on thick pillows forces your neck into a bend that can become permanent over time, impacting your posture. “It is possible to enhance your posture by sleeping without a pillow,” states the above-mentioned health publication.
4. Prevents skin conditions
Pillowcases are a breeding ground for bacteria, and the germs locked into the fabric can spread to the face. As a result, you may experience breakouts and acne. Pressure exerted by your head resting on your pillow may also lead to wrinkles. Thus, opting to sleep without a pillow can be deemed beneficial.
5. Prevents neck and back pain
Poor posture is one of the factors attributing to back pain. PharmEasy states, “Some people choose pillows that go against their spine’s natural bend, resulting in increased curvature.” Our necks should be parallel to the mattress when sleeping. So, when sleeping without pillow, it will calm tense neck muscles, prevent nerve damage, and allow our heads to rest in a natural position.
Also see: Signs of sleep disorder