Pillow Talk

Good morning! Dr Kelly here. It is time for some Pillow Talk. Getting a good night’s sleep is essential to your health.

There are several factors that play a role in making sure you do get a good night’s sleep. Today I am going to discuss pillow support. Should you sleep on your side, back, stomach? Stomach??!!? – No! Stomach sleeping is the worst position for your spine. When you lay on your stomach and turn your head to the side, your entire spine twists and rotates. This causes added pressure on your spine = no gouda.

Sleeping on your back is the best position for your spine. However, if you snore, it is the worst sleeping position for your partner. I recommend if you are sleeping on your back to put a pillow underneath your knees. This gives your body some added support. You may also not use a full pillow for your neck. You only need a small support under your neck for your spine. When supported properly – My favorite sleeping position is side sleeping. You are less likely to snore while sleeping on your side. The goal is to keep your spine in it’s proper alignment.

When you lay on your side don’t let your head dip down or tilt up. Don’t curl your body up into a fetal position. I even like a pillow along your back. It can give you a reference to keep your back aligned. Add a pillow between your knees. The pillow we have in the office is washer and dryer safe! I love to being able to throw the whole pillow into the machine on a regular cycle with regular laundry detergent.
Then toss it into the dryer. I set it to a regular high heat setting. I have had my pillow for several years and it has held up well! Kids need good spine support too. These fleece pillows are so soft.

Like a mattress, a pillow with less off gas is better. Ideally you spend 8 hours in bed sleeping. Your nose is right up against the pillow. Breathing in allergens or toxins for several hours is bad for your health. The pillow of health uses lower off gassing material.

I also love pillows that feel like real pillows. I have had some foam ones. Some have a side and back cut out. Some down-filled fluffy pillows that lose their support overnight.

Regardless of your preferred sleeping position, the placement of your pillow is crucial for a good night’s sleep. A real pillow feel with all the support your spine needs – that is an ideal pillow.

Helpful Tip

One of our many wonderful patients made a homemade mini travel pillow. And I love it!

• Take any pillow protector that has a zipper on the one side.
• Turn it inside out.
• Cut about half of the case off from the closed end. -this way one of the sides are already closable with the zipper!
• Start to stitch the pillow protector halfway to seal it.
• Turn the pillow protector back right side out.
• Stuff the pillowcase with the left-over stuffing.
• Zip up the rest of the pillow protector closed.

You can simply make the pillowcase to match with cutting the closed end and restitching it to the shorter length. This way one side looks pretty with the stitching. You Now Have a Travel Pillow!! Thank you, Linda!!!

Yours in Healthy Naturally,
Dr. Kelly