Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Record
Daily Record
Lifestyle
Ariane Sohrabi-Shiraz & Nicola Roy

Sleep expert says we've been using pillows wrong and names 'better' alternative

Sleep experts have claimed that many of us aren't using our pillows to their full potential when it comes to bedtime, and it could be impacting our rest.

Most of us probably think nothing of lying our heads on the pillow before dozing off for the night. But using them in another way could help to improve posture as well as sleep quality.

People are being urged to take an additional pillow and place it between their legs when they go to sleep, as it has a number of different benefits such as improved blood circulation and less chance of cramps.

The Mirror reports that when you sleep, the muscles in your back start to relax and heal over time, so it's important to keep your posture in mind.

Chronic back pain can make it difficult to drift off, but the pillow trick could reduce the chances of this happening.

Rex Isap, sleep expert and CEO at Happy Beds, explains that "the minute we climb into bed, we adopt a preferred sleeping position without giving much thought to it; we don’t realise that what we perceive to be comfortable is actually doing us more harm than good".

He added: "Misalignment whilst sleeping is a big issue, affecting our bodies by placing stress on the spine. We use pillows every day to rest our heads on whilst sleeping, but we should be using them more as they have several other benefits on our sleep.

"Placing a pillow between your legs or knees can promote better posture to give a more restful night's sleep, supporting the muscles and alignment in your body."

Doing this also helps to ease the pressure on your lower back, which is useful for those who suffer from back pain.

Sleeping with a pillow between your back gives you a "straight" sleeping position, which also aids digestion and keeps your spine aligned with your neck.

Those guilty of snoring should also give this a go, as this sleeping position helps to open up airways.

This hack is also ideal for people with poor circulation, and you'll know this if you often wake up with cramps or pins and needles.

Sleeping with a pillow between your legs is also ideal for pregnant women, who might struggle to get comfy.

Rex said: "For pregnant women, this is a great way to get more comfortable during the night and allow a less restless sleep during this time."

Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our newsletter here.

READ NEXT:

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.