A good night’s sleep should be on everybody’s priorities for many reasons. During your younger years, it’s easy for the body to bounce back after a long day. You’ll only need a few hours of sleep, and voila – you’re ready to conquer a new day. However, the need for quality sleep becomes more evident as you age. Your body will require not only an adequate number of hours for rest, but you must also have the right tools to ensure a peaceful slumber.
There are many reasons a person lacks sleep: medical conditions like insomnia and sleep apnea, diet, and lifestyle. Sometimes traumatic life events can trigger sleeplessness. However, many people are sleep-deprived because of poor sleeping habits. Having a good night’s sleep is not only about waking up in the morning feeling energized and refreshed; daily quality sleep has long-term health benefits such as:
Better Mood: When you’re well-rested, you function better because sleep improves your mood and cognitive abilities. Some studies suggest a reduction in migraines when subjects are given a good night’s sleep.
- Youthful Appearance: Your body’s chemical make-up is enhanced while you’re sleeping. When you start to doze off, your body releases chemicals that help you deal with stress. It also repairs itself and reloads glycogen, the glucose that gives you energy. All of these things help you stay healthy and youthful.
- Prevent Serious Illnesses: The melatonin that your body produces while you sleep has antioxidant properties that prevent cell damage which promotes cancer. Adults who sleep less than six hours are likely to develop high blood pressure, heart disease, and other severe medical conditions.
- Reduces Inflammation: A good night’s sleep is crucial because it helps recharge the body and reduce inflammation. When you have a good night’s rest, you’ll not have aches and pains due to overexertion from working too hard. You’ll also not have the fatigue that often comes with being overworked.
- Reduces Stress: Adequate sleep helps make the day more pleasant and less stressful. Committing to positive sleep habits may also help prevent anxiety and depression, typically caused by stress.
- Improves Memory and Boosts Brainpower: Sleep deprivation can make you less alert than if you had a full night’s rest.
- Help Manage Weight: It’s easier to overeat when you don’t sleep enough because eating more is how the body compensates for not getting enough sleep. If you want to maintain a healthy weight, ensure that you’re getting adequate rest, too, aside from a proper diet and regular exercise.
- Help the Body Heal Naturally: In general, a good night’s sleep can keep you healthier over the long term and increase longevity.
Sleeping well will help you live a longer and healthier life. It will also help you manage weight better, lower your stress levels, reduce your chances of developing heart disease, and promote a happy and loving state of mind. Investing in your sleeping space is worth it because it can make you healthier and happier.
How Pillows Contribute To A Good Night’s Sleep
Contrary to what some people think, the right mattress is not enough to get you a good night’s rest. Besides making your room more conducive to sleep, it would help if you also had quality pillows to lay down your head-on. If you’re planning on buying the right pillow, there are quite a few factors that you need to take into consideration. Choose a pillow based on your preferences, but you should also look at the benefits of different kinds of pillows before buying. These tips will guide you in selecting the best pillow for you:
- Shape: You can also get a good night’s sleep with a properly-shaped pillow. A flat pillow is usually the best choice for those who sleep on their backs. A fluffy or firmer pillow, such as an orthopedic pillow, is preferred for those who sleep on their sides. Probably the most crucial factor is in selecting the correct pillow for your body type. It determines the required pillow support level (depth) to properly support your entire head and position your neck within its proper anatomical framework. Some pillows are designed to help you sleep better by molding to your head and neck. Other shapes of pillows cradle your head more comfortably, according to your sleeping position.
- Size: Pillows with a larger extra fill are better for the back and neck. But, make sure you don’t buy a large soft pillow if you’re a side sleeper or a sleeper who moves around during the night. Bigger pillows generally have more fillers and allow for more filling if you need it. Shop for the right size for your sleeping needs.
- Special Conditions: For anyone struggling with a chronic medical condition or has a severe sleeping disorder, conventional pillows may not be of any help. But, many others can benefit by simply changing their pillow type.
- Type of Filling: By selecting the right combination of pillow type and pillow filling, one can find relief and improve one’s overall health. Taking the time to research on the proper ingredients and combinations that can work best with a particular health issue is crucial. There are also natural pillows on the market today that can be used to treat certain health conditions. Pinetales.com offers a variety of premium pillows that will guarantee a good night’s rest.
The History Behind The Buckwheat Pillow
Buckwheat pillows, as seen in this video go a long way back to its roots in Japan where it was invented. Also known as sobakawa in Japan, it has become a popular pillow in many parts of the world. The buckwheat plant isn’t related to wheat, a type of grass cultivated to produce cereal. Common buckwheat is a pseudocereal that was thought to be first developed and domesticated in Southeast Asia. It spread to other locations like Central Asia, Tibet, the Middle East, and Europe.
Buckwheat is called soba in Japan and is mainly produced in Hokkaido. If you’re familiar with Japanese cuisine, you may have tried their soba noodles which are made from buckwheat flour. There are many uses of buckwheat in Japan, such as tea from roasted buckwheat kernels and soba ale, which is beer flavored with roasted buckwheat. The buckwheat’s hulls are used to fill pillows, which locally are called sobagara or sobakawa, which means “surrounding the sun.” These are the things that you should understand about the history and benefits of buckwheat pillows:
The history of buckwheat pillows is fascinating. The people of Japan started using buckwheat hull 600 years ago for their bedding and pillows. The Japanese have been using buckwheat pillows for centuries following the zukansokunetsu concept, which means cool head, warm feet. Buckwheat pillows consist of large hollows, filled with long hulls, composed of buckwheat seeds covered with felt paper. Hulls can be added or taken out of the pillow to change the level, height, or loft. The filling is usually filled with a mixture of buckwheat and cotton and, sometimes, rice or silk. Long before we could manufacture anything as durable and supportive as these neck and back cushions, people then used the natural fibers from the buckwheat hulls’ beans to construct padding.
One of the main reasons buckwheat pillows have become very popular in recent times is the combination of comfort, support, and durability. This type of pillow has a high comfort factor for anyone who needs to have a fantastic night of stomach sleep. Unlike the flat or low-lying neck pillows that make you feel as if you’re lying on a hard surface, buckwheat pillows have the feel of burlap which gives a unique comfort that not even cotton has. The reason these pillows have this burlap-like feeling is because of the hulls that are stuffed inside. The hulls give buckwheat pillows the feel of being warm. So, it’s a perfect combination of texture and comfort that makes this such a great pillow.
Removing hulls from buckwheat pillows is a critical process. There are two reasons for removing them; the first is for cosmetic purposes, the other functional. The next step to removing hulls in buckwheat pillows is to remove the loose skin on the bottom. To do this, you should press your thumbs on both sides of the pillow. If the buckwheat pillows include sobe or shi sobe, then you’ll need to massage it out gently. Make sure you go farther down the bottom as it will be a lot more difficult for the stuffing to come out this way if there’s a lot of excess skin. Buckwheat body pillows offer excellent support for your body. If you take care of them properly, they’ll last you for years.
Another thing that makes buckwheat pillows so popular is their versatility and ability to provide comfort and support. They can come in various types of cases made from either synthetic (polyester) or natural (rayon) materials. The case material itself can vary greatly, including different thicknesses of fiberglass, different fabric types, even buckwheat hulls (which are usually made from the husks of the plant). It means that you’ll have a large variety of options available to you when considering what type of case material would best suit your personal preferences.
For the most part, many people will go for the natural casing option when choosing the casing of their buckwheat pillows. However, if you’re looking for something fancier, there are also multiple sizes available. You may prefer a smaller casing size, especially if you don’t like the idea of anyone getting in between you and your comfort.
What Are The Benefits Of Buckwheat Pillows?
A buckwheat pillow offers many benefits that a traditional pillow can’t. Here’s a summary of the advantages of using buckwheat pillows:
- Hypoallergenic: One of the benefits of organic buckwheat pillows is that they benefit from hypoallergenic properties without harmful side effects. These types of pillows do not contain any chemicals that can result in allergic reactions. They also have no synthetic materials, which means that you’ll not experience any potential side effects. These pillows are made with all-natural materials so that you won’t be compromising your health.
- Support: Buckwheat pillows provide the comfort of soft pillows with the added benefit of extra support for your neck. It also improves your spinal alignment and posture, which can help prevent health-related problems such as back pain and neck stiffness.
Comfort: When you first lay down on your buckwheat pillow, you’ll immediately feel the difference in how your neck is aligned. Because this pillow type is naturally inclined to follow your head’s curvature, your spine will have an easier time adjusting to a straight or slightly curved position. You may even find that sleeping on one of these pillows will help you sleep better at night. - Adjustable: Buckwheat pillows are known for their firm support which is excellent for back and side sleepers. Unlike other pillows, you can augment buckwheat pillows to suit your preferences by adding hulls to adjust the height.
- Cooling: If you’re a hot sleeper, you’ll enjoy using buckwheat pillows because the natural fiber promotes air circulation.
- Durable: Buckwheat pillows don’t come cheap, but they’re very durable compared with regular pillows.
A common problem with buckwheat pillows is that, sometimes, the filling can leak out. However, this should not be a cause of concern as long as you purchase quality buckwheat pillows from a reputable company or retailer. Another observation is the earthy smell that dissipates after using the pillows for a few nights. All in all, the buckwheat pillow offers a range of benefits that cannot be seen in ordinary pillows – it’s just a matter of finding the right brand to trust.
Takeaway
Buckwheat pillows have become popular in the United States and are now making a strong comeback as a fantastic and natural way to stay cool during the hot summer months. Buckwheat has a pleasant, earthy aroma, which is often associated with relaxation and sleep. Buckwheat pillows are known for their extra-firm support which suits a lot of people. With the various choices available, it may not be easy to decide which pillows would work best for you. However, with ample research and looking at the benefits of buckwheat pillows, you can make a wise and informed decision.
