People these days have redefined luxury and comfort according to the western culture which has been adopted keenly over last few decades.
Long time back, in Indian culture before westernization, people used to sleep over thin sleeping mats made of organic and natural jute, bamboo, coir and river grass. These special mats were used to sleep on floor, one can cover it with sheets and clothes to reduce the uncomforting pricking feeling. But now, when urbanization and westernization has taken over the entire world, people have lost the essence and goodness of nature. They not only lost using the goodness of nature but also forgotten the importance of ancient culture and lifestyle, which is why people in this era are being more prone to diseases and health conditions. Ayurveda is one of the powerful lifestyle factors from the ancient times of India which is now getting popularity after several research and proven studies over its amazing health benefits and advantages. People now have become so laid back, that they knowingly avoiding the culture, despite of being aware of its importance. Sleeping with big fluffy pillows might be comforting and cozy for that moment and every night but it has a long-term adverse effect health.
Let’s have a brief look on surprising health benefits of sleeping without pillows:
1. Improves posture
Sleeping on the pillows that are too thick or fluffy affects neck and spine adversely. Your neck gets pushed into the pillow curve and when it happens over a long period of time. This affects your posture. Sleeping without a pillow can keep your body natural curve perfet in shape which actually improves your posture.
2. Alleviates neck pain
According to the neurologists, while sleeping our neck should be in the parallel alignment with the mattress to avoid strain on back and spine. But when we sleep on pillows with our head on it, our head pushes the neck upward also bents down more often, which is one of the prime causes of frustrating neck pain or neck sprain. Without a pillow, your head tends to rest in a natural position which is the actual posture of the body while sleeping preventing nerve damage.
3. Reduces back pain
Bad and wrong posture is the prime reason why most of the people suffer badly from back pain. And to worsen the condition even more, pillows play the culprit role. Many people their pillows that actually function against the natural posture or curve of their spine. This effect causes more curvature in the spine that causes strain on back and lower back. According to the orthopedists and neurologists, sleeping without a pillow is a much better and advantageous than sleeping with the wrong pillow which is considered as one of the best health benefits of sleeping without pillows.
4. No more sleep wrinkles
Pillows can compress your skin while sleeping, especially for those who sleep on their stomach or on their sides. Sleeping in those positions for a prolonged period of time, can cause sleep wrinkles contributing to distinct signs of aging. Sleeping without pillows can prevent the face from crouching during the night’s sleep.
5. Reduces headaches
Experiencing headaches after waking up from sleep or feeling light-headed is due to sleeping with pillows under your head. Try sleeping without pillow and see if any improvement in your headache. Sleeping with soft and bulky pillows minimizes blood flow to the head, by reducing usual oxygen supply to the head which is why morning headaches is usually experienced by people who prefer bulky and fluffy pillows.
6. Prevents acne and pimples
If you’re experiencing breakout of pimples and acne without hormonal issues, or oily skin or any harsh chemicals then the reason is hiding under your pillow. Sleeping with pillows can cause acne breakout due to the accumulation of dirt and oil on the face and clogging the skin pores. While sleeping, your face is normally pressed against your pillow for a long time during the night. Regular use of same pillows with same covers for a long period of time without washing it makes your skin exposed to saliva, sweat, dust and infection causing bacteria, which leads to acne and pimples.
7. Depletes stress
Sleeping with pillows and in the wrong position causes real stress. When you try to sleep but due to uneasiness and uncomfortable feeling from using bulky pillows, or thin and hard pillows, you can’t fall asleep. This uneasiness in your posture makes your pillow too warm and makes you uncomfortable to start thinking and stressing about things. As a result of which, you stress yourself throughout the night. Therefore, sleeping without pillows is beneficial to reduce stress and is one of the great health benefits.
8. Helps to reduce insomnia
Sleeping with pillows can be little uncomfortable for many people. Sleeping without pillows can effectively enhance the quality of your sleep without waking you up in the middle of the night. If you wake up in the middle of the night from your sleep and feel restless the reason is you’re insomniac, hence, try sleeping on the mattress or on a plain surface with sleeping mats with sheets, you’ll easily get back to your deep sleep.
9. Reduces allergies
Many people suffer from allergies especially dust and bacteria allergy, specially after waking up from sleep or sleeping on pillows. The reason is uncleaned and unwashed pillow covers that get used over a long time. Bacteria, dirt, dust, and allergens get settled on and inside the pillow over time, when your skin comes in contact with those particles, bacteria and allergens breathing in so close, it leads to allergies and even worse condition. Hence, not using pillows can be much safer than using pillows.
10. Prevents flat head condition or syndrome
Especially kids and toddlers suffer from flat head syndrome on the back of the head or on one side of the head because of the continuous unnatural position of sleeping on a pillow. Make your kids and toddlers sleep without pillows to fall asleep easily without pillows maintaining their natural position and to prevent the risk of flat head syndrome as well.
