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Why You Need a Long Pillow for Bed, According to Sleep Experts

Posted on the 24 March 2023 by Flynn

 Are you tired of waking up with aches and pains in the morning? Do you struggle to find a comfortable sleeping position throughout the night? If so, it may be time to invest in a long pillow for your bed. Sleep experts recommend this versatile sleep accessory for various reasons, from reducing pressure points and improving spinal alignment to providing extra support for pregnant women or those recovering from injuries. In this blog post, we'll explore why you need a long pillow for bed and how it can transform your sleeping experience. So get ready to say goodbye to restless nights and hello to sweet dreams!

Long Pillow for Bed

Long Pillow for Bed

If you're anything like most people, your bed is the place where you relax after a long day. But if you're not getting enough rest, your body and mind will pay the price. That's why it's important to have a long pillow for bed.

A long pillow for bed gives your neck and spine the support they need to get a good night's sleep. "A standard pillow is only 18 inches long, which is barely enough length to reach your cervical spine," says Jordan Rubin, MD, assistant professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health and an associate sleep specialist at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. "That means that half of your neck isn't getting the support it needs."

A long pillow also keeps your head elevated more off the bed surface, which allows more air to flow through your nose and mouth and helps regulate your breathing. "If you're sleeping on your side with a standard pillow, gravity will push down on your cheekbones and make it hard to breathe," Rubin says. With a longer pillow, however, gravity isn't as powerful and you can breathe more easily.

So why not just buy a longer pillow? Well, if you don't have any extra bedroom space or money to spare, that might be the answer. But there are other solutions as well. You can try using two pillows stacked on top of each other or using a memory foam or latex pillow instead of a standard one. And finally, if all else fails, you can always invest in a long pillow for bed.

Long Pillow for Bed vs. Standard Pillow

There's no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best long pillow for your bed will vary depending on your unique sleeping style and anatomy.

However, here are some general tips that may help:

üIf you're a side sleeper: A standard pillow is designed to support your head and neck when you sleep on your side, but it doesn't do a great job of keeping your head elevated. A long pillow can help solve this problem by providing more support and height.

üA standard pillow is designed to support your head and neck when you sleep on your side, but it doesn't do a great job of keeping your head elevated. A long pillow can help solve this problem by providing more support and height.

üIf you're a back sleeper: A standard pillow is usually too short to provide the support needed by back sleepers. A long pillow can help solve this problem by extending down the length of your spine.

üA standard pillow is usually too short to provide the support needed by back sleepers. A long pillow can help solve this problem by extending down the length of your spine.

üIf you're a stomach sleeper: A standard pillow doesn't distribute pressure evenly across your entire back, which can lead to neck and spine pain. A long pillow can help solve this problem by distributing pressure evenly across your entire back.

üA standard pillow doesn't distribute pressure evenly across your entire back, which can lead to neck and spine pain. A long pillow can help solve this problem by distributing pressure evenly across your entire back.

üIf you have a high cervical spine: A standard pillow isn't designed to support your cervical spine, which can put undue pressure on your spinal cord and nerves. A long pillow can help solve this problem by providing more length and support for your cervical spine.

üIf you have any other specific concerns about your sleeping position or anatomy, be sure to speak with a sleep specialist about the best solution for you.

How a Long Pillow Can Improve Your Sleep

If you're like most people, you sleep on your back on a pillow that's either too short or too big. This can cause your head and neck to hit the end of the bed every time you turn over, which can lead to discomfort and pain. A long pillow is the solution to this problem. It gives you more space to move around and reduces the amount of pressure that your head and neck experience.

Experts say that a long pillow is especially important if you have trouble sleeping on your side or stomach. By giving you more space, a long pillow can help improve your sleep overall. It can also help distribute your body weight more evenly so that you don't wake up feeling sore in the morning. If you're skeptical about whether or not a long pillow is right for you, consider trying one out before making any final decisions. You might be surprised at how much better your sleep will be after switching to a longer pillow!

The Different Types of Pillows

There are a few different types of pillows that can be used for bed. A standard pillow is designed to sit upright on a bed and provide support for the head, neck, and spine. A body pillow is designed to prop up one or both legs, providing more comfort for sleepers with back or neck pain. A long pillow is also available, which is meant to be used on the floor as a bed pillow. This type of pillow is typically longer than a standard pillow and has a raised center so that it can be used as an elevated sleeping surface.

The Benefits of a Long Pillow for Bed

If you’re like most people, you sleep on your back on a regular basis. This position can cause your neck and spine to take a beating over the course of the night. A long pillow can help alleviate some of these issues by providing more support for your head and neck. Additionally, a long pillow can help keep your head elevated, which is important for promoting good sleep quality. If you suffer from headaches or chronic pain, using a long pillow can also be helpful in reducing those symptoms.

In addition to its benefits for sleeping, a long pillow can also be beneficial for overall comfort. If you have trouble sleeping due to allergies or other medical conditions, a long pillow can provide relief from those issues as well. It’s also important to note that a long pillow is not just for people who are tall; anyone who suffers from problems with their neck or spine should consider investing in one.

How to Choose the Right Body Pillow for You

There are a lot of different body pillows on the market, so it can be hard to know which one is right for you.

Here are six tips on how to choose the right pillow for you:

1. Consider Your Sleep Position

If you're a side sleeper, get a pillow that's long and narrow—it will create more space between your head and the mattress, which will increase your comfort. If you're a back sleeper, get a narrower pillow that's shorter and wider so that your head and armrest are in contact with each other all night long.

2. Consider Your Height And Weight

If you're shorter or heavier than average, make sure to choose a shorter or wider body pillow in order to provide enough support. If you're taller or lighter than average, don't worry — most body pillows work just as well for taller or lighter people as they do for those who are average weight or taller.

3. Consider Your Sleeping Habits

If you usually toss and turn all night long, get a pillow that supports your neck and spine; this will help alleviate neck pain and restore spinal alignment during sleep. On the other hand, if you tend to fall asleep quickly and wake up feeling refreshed instead of strained, an inflatable pillow is probably not the best option for you since they often require regular deflation in order to maintain their shape (this can be time-consuming). Instead, go for a memory foam or latex pillow, which will contour to your body and offer consistent support throughout the night.

4. Consider Your Budget

Not all body pillows are created equal; some are much more expensive than others. If you're on a budget, consider looking for a cheaper option that still offers good support. Alternatively, you can also search for body pillows that come with a sleep guide, so you know exactly how much pressure to apply to each part of your body in order to achieve the best results.

5. Consider Your Comfort Level

Some people prefer something soft and fluffy while others like something stiffer and more firm; this is definitely something that you'll want to experiment with in order to find the perfect pillow for you. Some people find that they need a firmer pillow in order to avoid being kicked out of bed in the middle of the night by their partner, while others prefer something softer because it's more comfortable over time. There's no right or wrong answer here, it's just something that you'll need to figure out for yourself!

6. Consider Your Lifestyle

Finally, one of the biggest factors that will determine whether or not a body pillow is right for you is your lifestyle. Are you a morning person or a night person? Do you work out frequently or spend a lot of time on your feet? All of these factors will affect the type of pillow that's best for you.

What to Do If Your Pillow Is too Short or Too Long

If your pillow is too short or too long, it can be uncomfortable to sleep on. This is especially common if you are a side sleeper or have a longer neck than most people.

There are three main ways to solve this problem:

Get a new pillow. Most people find that a new pillow is the best solution. Check out our guide to finding the right pillow for you. Try different positions. Some people find that they need to move their head and neck more in order to get comfortable on their new pillow, so they try using different positions throughout the night. For example, they might try sleeping on their side with their head elevated slightly off of the pillow, or sleeping on their stomach with the pillows propped up under their chin. Adjust your bedding. If you're using a standard bed sheet and mattress, make sure that your bedding is big enough to cover both your pillow and the entire mattress. You can also try buying a higher-quality bed sheet that's specifically made for pillows, or investing in an adjustable bed frame that will allow you to customize your sleeping position without changing sheets every day.

When to Replace a Old Pillow

Finding the right pillow can be tricky. But according to sleep experts, it's important to go with a long pillow if you're looking for optimal comfort. Here's why: A standard pillow is designed to rest between your head and the mattress. But when you're sleeping on your side, your head and neck are at an angle. That means the pressure points on your neck aren't aligned with the pressure points on the mattress, so a standard pillow isn't as effective. "A long pillow helps disperse that pressure," says Julie Juhl, PhD, director of research at The Sleep Research Institute in San Diego. "It conforms better to your shape and position." That means you'll get more comfortable and get better sleep overall.

Conclusion

If you’re anything like me, you LOVE your bed. And if you love your bed, odds are good that you also love a good night’s sleep. Unfortunately, for many people, sleeping in a comfortable position can be difficult – especially on the BED! To help solve this problem and get some much-needed zzzs, consider investing in a long pillow. Sleep experts say that this type of pillow will help to align your spine and promote healthy neck and spine alignment while you sleep. So go ahead – pillow shopping is officially overrated!


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