Choosing the Best Body Pillow for Your Sleep Improvement

J Irons
6 min readAug 13, 2022
Pregnant mothers will certainly need a body pillow. Knowing what to look for in a cheap body pillow will significantly help those with a limited budget.
Photo Credit: carltonmartinez Flickr CC BY 2.0

D o You Have Neck Pain or Other Issues?

There are many reasons why people use body pillows.

Some people use them to provide support for their neck and head while they sleep.

Others use it to reduce the pressure on their back, hips, and shoulders.

Body pillows are designed in different shapes and sizes so that they can be used by different people in a variety of ways.

For example, if you sleep on your side, a body pillow with a curved shape would be best for you.

If you sleep on your back, then a straight body pillow may be best for you since it will follow the natural curve of your spine.

If you have neck pain or other injuries, then a contoured body pillow may work better than one with just one level of thickness.

One of the most important benefits body pillows provide is warmth and comfort, which most sleepers ideally prefer.

But what other benefits can body pillows provide its user?

Well, that’s something that will require more digging to get optimal use from this wonder product.

The Benefits of a Body Pillow

The benefits of a body pillow are numerous, and it can be used in many different ways. Most people believe this is a product just for women who are pregnant or nursing.

This, however, isn’t entirely true.

Anyone can use them for an armrest, headrest, even as a seat cushion support which is ideal for people relaxing while watching their favorite TV show programs.

They’re quite comfortable and lightweight too.

There’s also the mesh that helps to let air circulate and make the seat cool and breathable.

They are machine washable which makes it easy to keep them clean and dirt free.

The seat cushions come in a variety of colors and the size options of these pillows come in different shapes which is great for anyone to use in an office space while they work.

They have a gel-infused memory foam with an anticorrosive finish that makes these pillows safe from allergies, dust mites and mold.

The pillows are also hypoallergenic as well as odorless and easy to clean.

Body pillows are a popular choice for people who have problems sleeping.

Touching briefly back on the prime benefit, is the comfort and support they provide pregnant women.

Memory foam is a type of material that is used in the manufacture of most body pillows.

Memory foam pillows are usually more expensive than traditional pillows because they last longer and are more durable.

The benefits of a body pillow include:

  • Supporting the back.
  • Providing warmth.
  • Keeping you cool.
  • Improving blood circulation.
  • Maintaining spinal alignment.

Body pillow shapes ideal comfort for diverse sleepers (Pros and Cons):

U-Shaped Pillows

U-shaped whole body pillow Lami cguro itulog sa ing.ani nga unlan noh? www.thriftylook.com #sleep #rest
Photo Credit: Thrifty Look Flickr CC BY 2.0

C-Shaped Pillows (due to image license please visit wikihow.com to view image.)

Wedge Pillows

Photo Credit: Daniel Max Flickr CC BY 2.0

Pros:

U-Shapes: Provides great support for both the back, knees, head, neck and front region of the body (also known as full-body cradling and ideal for pregnant women). It’s user-friendly because it eliminates the need to adjust the pillow which otherwise would disrupt one’s sleep time. They range between $30 to $50 dollars sounds quite affordable.

C-Shapes: Provides belly support (front body) it also can be used to aid upper and lower body support; it can also help provide proper back alignment and helps lessen pressure on the knees. It works great for those who struggle with sleeping issues, and it’s also great to use when relaxing watching TV. The C Shapes range between $30 to $50 dollars sounds quite affordable.

Wedge Shapes (triangle-shaped): Provides great support for both side and back sleepers. The key areas they’re great for are the shoulders, lower back, people might use them to elevate their neck, leg, or foot for added comfort. They’re recommended for people who snore in their sleep, people with post-nasal drip issues, it helps alleviate stomach cramping, and it provides relief for users dealing with acid reflux issues (GERD). Wedge pillows usually fall under $30

Cons:

U-Shapes: People say take up a lot of bed space when used (it’s ideal for King Size beds, which also means it can get quite expensive for people who only have smaller sized beds.)

C-Shapes: They’re difficult to wash, and users say they tend to flatten out.

Wedge Shapes (triangle-shaped): Some people complain about the level of comfort. Wedge pillows sometimes provide too much resistance (depending upon how it’s used) and can make it difficult for users who are trying to catch some Z’s. This is why people will use an additional pillow on top of them when trying to sleep comfortably to eliminate sleep disruption.

5 Ways to Pick the Best Body Pillow

1) Shape of the Body Pillow

The shape of the body pillow can vary from full-length to just a curved wedge for your neck only.

2) Material of the Body Pillow

The material that makes up your body pillow should be chosen based on personal preference. You can choose from several materials including down feathers, polyester, cotton, foam or latex.

3) Size of the Body Pillow

As with any other type of cushioning product that provides support for your body and neck, you should measure your height and weight to make sure you are purchasing a pillow that is appropriate for you in size.

4) Type of Material

Many pillows are made from different types of materials. From down, to the softest material you can imagine, to goose-feathers and even other materials. Such soft material pillows are not fully optimized for top comfort.

5) Price (Quality is King)

If one pillow has a higher price, it’s likely to be more comfortable because of the material it is made with and where it was made.

Ultimately, body pillows are great ergonomic options to add to your bedtime routine.

With the right body pillow, you will have a better night’s sleep and may even feel more rested in the morning.

Conclusion: Body Pillows Promotes a Healthier Lifestyle & Better Quality of Life.

A body pillow can help you get a better night’s sleep by providing support for your neck and back, which reduces the pressure on those areas.

This allows you to relax more deeply and wake up feeling refreshed in the morning.

They provide support for your legs, which helps relieve pain from restless leg syndrome (RLS), as well as other conditions such as arthritis or sciatica.

These are ideal body pillows for pregnant women because they help with back pain and allow them to sleep on their side comfortably. It’s also highly recommended by doctors that women use them during pregnancy.

Again, it’s important to know that body pillows aren’t just for pregnant women.

They’re also for people searching for alternatives toward getting a good night’s sleep.

It all starts by identifying the best comfort level of a body pillow which will be up to you.

There are various types of body pillows available on the market today.

It’s important to keep in mind that there are tons of options to choose from on the net.

Below, is an available link that helps give you a great start to finding that ideal body pillow that suits you best.

Hopefully, this article was helpful in finding an ergonomic friendly body pillow that’s right for you!

Finding An Ideal Body Pillow That Best Suits Me

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J Irons

I love doing what I like doing best. That’s WRITING. I am a content creator here on medium. I focus on ergonomic health and technology.