Updated at: 10-03-2023 - By: Sienna Lewis

You side sleepers out there, hear me out. Neck pain, hip pain, back pain, and general soreness in the morning may all be related to the way you prefer to sleep.

Inadvertently, those who sleep on their sides often end up twisted at the hips and back. Because of this, you may experience pain in your hips, lower back, and knees. Don’t worry about having to change your sleeping habits because of discomfort; the body pillow is here to help.

A body pillow may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of pillows, but it may end up being the most practical and adaptable option for your setup. A person who sleeps with one does so by placing it on the bed and wrapping themselves in it. Your bed pillow then maintains your posture and supports your head and neck while you sleep.

If you’re ready to get the rest you deserve, read on for a complete guide to using a body pillow.

How Are You Supposed To Sleep With A Body Pillow?

When using a body pillow, it is customary to lay it out lengthwise on the bed. Next, lay on your side with the comfort pillow cradled between your legs; your top leg should rest on the pillow so that your legs are stacked parallel to one another.

The Definitive Guide to Body Pillows

Your sacrum, hips, and spine will be in a good, healthy position if you do this. However, if you put your top leg too far over, you will twist your lower back and compromise your posture.

So, tell me, what do you do with your hands. Don’t put them in the T-Rex position, which is hated by sleepers. Put your arms around the pillow or at least your top hand on it. Your arms won’t feel pinched or curled up, and you won’t accidentally roll off the pillow.

The benefits of a good night’s sleep with a body pillow are numerous, and while finding the most comfortable position for using one is mostly a matter of trial and error, it’s still worth it.

How a Body Pillow Helps

Body pillows are highly useful and can provide the much-needed boost to your mattress setup that you’ve been seeking in order to get a good night’s rest. Some advantages of using a body pillow include:

  • Maintain proper positioning of all components overnight.
  • Relax the muscles and relieve the pain in your joints.
  • Keep your head at the proper height and stability.
  • Can aid in the treatment of sleep disorders like apnea
  • Quit tossing and turning in bed all night.
  • Improve your blood’s flow and circulation.

More recent research has also demonstrated that using a body pillow can enhance your ability to unwind. Hugging someone has been shown to reduce stress by triggering the release of hormones like oxytocin.

Body pillows offer the same advantages as a high-quality traditional pillow, including the elimination of pinching and the prevention of morning pain.

Ways To Use A Body Pillow

Although we have discussed the most common method of using a body pillow at night, there are two additional primary applications. Here are some of them:

  • Back sleepers, this tip is for you: tuck it under your back. An alternative sleeping position that makes use of a body pillow involves placing it diagonally behind your back so that your hips, legs, and arms rest on top of it. Pressure is released from the shoulders and hips thanks to this method.
  • This position is very similar to the first one described above because both hands are cradling the pillow. The main difference is that in this version, the pillow is not placed between the legs. You don’t tuck your bottom leg under the pillow, but rather keep it straight along the side of the bed.

If you’re not a side sleeper or simply dislike having your pillow rest against your leg, these alternative positions can offer some relief.

Your body pillow, of course, has off-label uses approval as well. If you like to do things like work or watch Netflix while lying in bed, an oversized pillow can come in handy. You can use it when your little ones want to construct a pillow fort, which is quite often. The options are limitless.

To get the most out of your body pillow, though, it’s important to pick one that works for your specific needs.

What is a Body Pillow & How Do You Use One? | Savvy Rest

Body Pillow Types and Fills

What kind of body pillow do you recommend?

There is a wide variety of fill options available, as well as shapes for body pillows other than the standard rectangle. Review some of the following alternatives:

  • The U-shaped pillow is a great option for pregnant women looking for a body pillow. The shape’s opening in the middle allows you to slide inside and sleep hugging one of the arms. You shouldn’t sleep on your back while expecting a child, and this pregnancy pillow will help you avoid doing so.
  • If you suffer from persistent back pain, you might want to try the J-shaped pillow. The J-shaped loop at the top will cradle your head and ear, reducing pressure on your neck and shoulders and relieving pressure on your spine.
  • The Hug Body Pillow by Casper is a good example of a rectangular body pillow, a good default because it shares the advantages of other body pillow shapes and molds to your body in whatever way you prefer to hold it. Casper’s Hug Body Pillow improves upon the standard design by tapering one end, preventing you from burying your face completely in the pillow. This pillow also features a convenient notch in the shape of a triangle for supporting the nape of your neck.

You should also think about the fill when shopping for a pillow, as it can have an effect on your quality of rest. When it comes to pillow fill, these are the most common choices:

  • Pillows stuffed with down are highly sought after due to their plush feel and opulent appearance. You’ll feel like you’re sleeping on a cloud with a Casper down pillow, and you can rest easy knowing that all of our down comes from responsible farms.
  • When it comes to pillow filling, nothing beats foam. Use a foam pillow to maintain your neck and head’s alignment throughout the night. Memory foam with cooling technology is also available for those who prefer to sleep cool and comfortably during the night.
  • Pillows stuffed with synthetic fills are a great alternative to down if you suffer from allergies or are just looking for something different. All the coziness of down without the itchy eyes and runny nose? Furthermore, the best alternatives to down pillows are made in a way that allows cool air to pass through and adapts to your movements during the night.

In that case, make sure to pick up some body pillow fluff on your next shopping trip. The filling of your pillow can be just as significant as its form.

When Should I Start Using A Body Pillow?

Anytime is a good time to start making use of a body pillow. If you’re a side sleeper who’s tired of waking up sore or if you just can’t get comfortable, a body pillow may be the answer. However, the following scenarios may pique your interest in employing the use of one:

  • Yes, you are expecting a baby.
  • Insomnia and heartburn are real issues for you.
  • Your blood flow is poor.

The use of a body pillow can alleviate all of these conditions, but sleep apnea in particular. Because sleeping on your back can make your condition worse, a body pillow can be useful for encouraging you to sleep on your side instead.

Body Pillow that gives endlessly supportive Cuddles | Cuddler

Have the Sleep of Your Dreams with Casper Pillows

You shouldn’t let sore muscles and joint stiffness interrupt your night’s rest.

Those who prefer to sleep on their sides need not worry; this is still an acceptable option. Sleeping better under the stars is possible with the help of our body pillow.

Our number one goal here at Casper is to ensure that you have a restful night’s sleep in whatever fashion best suits you. In order to ensure that you wake up feeling rejuvenated and refreshed, we have designed our body pillow with ergonomics in mind. To avoid waking up with a stiff neck and shoulders, try Casper’s plush pillow instead.