In order to reduce the pain felt during the night, particularly in the shoulders and neck, many people choose to sleep on their stomach. It is therefore essential to get a pillow to sleep on your stomach, but only if it is adapted to your body shape.
Natural or synthetic pillow?
To sleep well on your stomach, it is essential to pay great attention to the choice of pillow or cushion on which you will place your head. Several important selection criteria must be taken into account to find a model capable of satisfying the most demanding sleepers. The nature of the filling plays a central role in the comfort felt during sleep. It is imperative that your pillow manages to support your head naturally while ensuring optimal support for your upper body.
A soft pillow made of natural material is a very interesting choice. You can opt for a model with little swelling effect, allowing better breathing in the face. Soft materials are preferred for filling, such as down and feathers. Their curvatures provide a very comfortable fit for the head when you choose to sleep on your stomach.
A vegetable filling with a 100% natural latex memory foam pillow is a relevant choice. Another possibility is to turn to a high density product made from millet husks.
A synthetic ergonomic model can also give you satisfaction in combating discomfort and back pain. A memory foam pillow made from viscoelastic foam has the particularity of adapting to the shape of the head under the effect of heat. You will be able to position yourself flat by turning your head to the right or left according to your preferences, with your shoulders well placed.
For a sleeper, keeping your upper body straight is the best way to avoid lower back pain when you wake up. Specific polyester pillows with microfiber filling are excellent choices for their hypoallergenic properties. To compensate for their lack of ventilation, they must be provided with a cover or envelope to be washed very regularly.
Possible pillow shapes
The choice of your cushion can also be guided by its shape. A flat bolster is recommended to protect your neck . People with a slim build will opt for a thickness of 4 cm, compared to 8 cm for sleepers with broad shoulders. A low-swelling product is preferable to breathe well during the night while keeping the body in an upright posture.
The classic rectangular pillow can be suitable for sleeping on your stomach. It is best that it is neither too big nor too firm. A model with shape memory is preferred. It offers a suitable ergonomic configuration and the foam perfectly matches the curves of the head and neck. This type of pillow is mainly used to reduce tension in the neck by avoiding elevating the head during the night.
Certain pillows with unique shapes are also able to provide you with the desired comfort with a sleeping position on your stomach. This is particularly the case for ergonomic star-shaped pillows. You can sleep with it by putting your arm under your head without needing to raise your shoulder. This position has the merit of greatly reducing muscular tension during sleep.
Depending on the person, an extra-flat pillow may be necessary to avoid neck pain after a few hours spent lying on your stomach. This type of cushion, 4 to 5 cm thick, fills the space between the head and neck without straining the neck. An excellent quality model that maintains its flexibility over time is essential in all cases. If your pillow becomes too firm, the spine will tend to tilt backwards, putting pressure on your neck.
Some tips for sleeping on your stomach
The alignment of the back, spine and neck must be ensured during the night to avoid pain. By sleeping on your stomach, it is possible to maintain this posture for several hours. A good cushion will reinforce support at the neck level.
It is strongly recommended not to sleep directly in this position on the mattress without using a pillow. This bad habit could have unfortunate drawbacks in terms of health, with neck pain upon waking up. If you are already subject to tension, choose a memory foam model.
Sleeping on your stomach is not a position usually recommended by health experts. However, in some cases, it makes it easier to fall asleep and reduce snoring. The posture with the head on the side is only possible with a quality pillow capable of preventing you from any pain. Some brands offer ergonomic models designed specifically for this position, as well as products with removable padding whose thickness you can precisely choose.
In summary :
- A soft, thin pillow is recommended for sleeping on your stomach
- Feather and down pillows deliver great results
- A memory foam model is a very good choice
- An ergonomic star-shaped product can also be considered
- A good pillow is necessary to avoid neck pain.
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