There’s nothing like a good night’s sleep, but have you ever tried waking up in the morning without feeling rested? Perhaps, you got eight hours of sleep, but you can feel aches and pains on your back or neck. Or, maybe, you’ve spent all night tossing and turning without getting a wink of sleep. If this has happened to you, then you know how terrible it affects your lifestyle. Sleep problems will get in the way of work, responsibilities, and even relationships. They can also affect your physical and mental health, which is why getting quality sleep is vital for everyone.
There are different ways to sleep better, and they vary from medical procedures to home improvements. For instance, how you design the bedroom can affect how well you sleep because a relaxing environment can have a positive effect on your mindset. Others who have sleep disorders require therapy and medication to help them sleep healthily.
However, there are other ways that you can supplement the quality of your sleep. One way is to switch to better sleeping accessories, like your sheets, mattress, or pillows, since they can help you sleep better. You can consider them as an investment because you spend a lot of time in bed and rely on rest to be healthy and function properly.
How Pillows Affect Sleep
It might be strange to think that a simple cushion for your head can affect how well you sleep. But, if you’ve had a dreadful time trying to sleep on a bad pillow, you’ll know exactly how it can cause you to lay awake all night. And, if you do fall asleep, your neck and spine will feel horrid when you wake up.
An uncomfortable pillow will force you to readjust it several times, and this can interrupt how you catch sleep. Furthermore, because most pillows are built similarly, it can be challenging to find the perfect fit for your unique body and needs. Ideally, you’ll want to go for a pillow, such as the bamboo buckwheat pillow, which can be adjusted to your needs and help you sleep better.
What’s A Buckwheat Hull Pillow?
A buckwheat hull pillow is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a cushion made from buckwheat hulls, encased in a leak-proof casing, as well as an outer pillowcase. Buckwheat hull pillows might sound new and unfamiliar to most people, but they’ve actually been around for a long time. This pillow, also called the ‘sobakawa’ pillow, originated in Japan 600 years ago. In fact, the use of buckwheat hulls isn’t just limited to pillows. It was also used to stuff other bedding pieces, like mattresses or bed-toppers.
Nowadays, there are many kinds of buckwheat pillows on the market. Various materials are used on the pillow’s casing, but the primary use of buckwheat hulls remains the same. For instance, there’s the millet pillow, which also makes use of bamboo for its pillowcase. If you’re up for it. check out this handmade buckwheat pillow:
This type of pillow has a lot of benefits for the user, as well as the environment. Because of its advantages, it’s strange that it wasn’t been popular in the rest of the world before. However, its steady rise in popularity today just shows how people are starting to see its wonders, such as the following:
- It’s An Adjustable Pillow
Unlike other pillows in the market, buckwheat hull pillows can be adjusted. You might prefer one that’s firmer or more elevated, while others like the opposite. Buckwheat hull pillows can be adjusted to fit your needs, and it’s a straightforward process. You simply need to take out or add more buckwheat hulls until you’re happy with its softness and height.
- You Can Stay Cool
Another secret to the sobakawa pillow’s comfort is its ability to keep you cool as you sleep. The tiny hulls in the pillow allow air to pass through the pillow instead of trapping heat. Conversely, polyester-stuffed pillows tend to collect your body heat, which is why many people flip their cushions after some time to get the cool side.
- Keeps Allergies At Bay
Sneezing and sniffling while you’re trying to get some sleep can be irritating. Dust, mold, and other allergens can grow inside your pillow because you can’t regularly wash pillows. You can chuck the pillowcase into the washer, but the cushioning and fabric inside can’t be cleaned thoroughly.
Buckwheat hulls are hypoallergenic, and you can remove the buckwheat to clean the pillowcases regularly. The buckwheat hulls won’t collect dust or cause mold growth because they’re not made from textile. However, for extra measure, you can spray them with a cleanser while you launder the pillowcases.
- It’s Chemical-Free
Another benefit is that buckwheat hull pillows are chemical-free. This means they’re made without causing harm to the environment. Moreover, you can avoid any possible irritation from any harsh chemicals.
- Helps Stop Snoring
Snoring can interrupt your breathing and wake you up in the middle of the night. It’s also disturbing if you’re sleeping next to someone. But, did you know that one of the possible causes of snoring is poor posture as you’re lying down? Some other reasons could be medical in nature; however, trying to adjust your posture to a healthier one can help reduce snoring.
Posture in bed can be affected by your mattress and your pillows, too. A pillow that’s too high up will cause your airways to get blocked, thus causing snoring. But, an adjustable one, such as a buckwheat pillow, allows you to fine-tune its thickness and firmness to promote better posture.
- Adjusts To Your Head And Neck
Aside from adjusting the pillow to fit your posture, the buckwheat hulls inside will also automatically shape your neck and head. This is because the hulls are free to move around when you lay your head on it, so no pressure pushes against you, which can cause awkward positions. As you may have noticed, polyester-stuffed pillows tend to keep most of their shape even as you lay on them. The inconsistent lumps and firmness will strain your joints and cause some muscle pain.
- You Can Keep It For A Long Time
Did you know that ordinary polyester pillows need to be changed every one to two years? That’s a lot of pillows in your life, and it can be expensive. Cushions get worn down, flattened, and dirty, which can all be terrible for your health. But, not all pillows have such a short life expectancy. With care, you can expect sobakawa pillows to last for ten years—imagine how much you can save!
- It Doesn’t Attract Bugs
Being made from buckwheat hulls, many people are worried that it’s going to attract some pests. Mites, fleas, and bedbugs are the worst, and they can be challenging to get rid of. But, you won’t have to worry about attracting bugs with this pillow because buckwheat hulls aren’t a food source for any bug. They’re completely inedible to them, so there’s no need to fret about pests.
- It Has A Pleasing Scent
Did you know that scent also plays a part in how easily one can fall asleep and the quality of sleep? This is why a lot of people try aromatherapy to deal with insomnia or simply to relax. Buckwheat hulls have a pleasant scent that won’t irritate your nose. It’s not an obnoxious synthetic scent.; instead, it’s a mild and organic scent that can help you relax even more.
- It’s Sustainable
It’s important to remember that the textile industry is responsible for a massive chunk of trash in the world. And, just from pillows being changed every one to two years, you can imagine the number of pillows being thrown out worldwide every day.
To reduce your trash production, switching to buckwheat hull pillows will make a huge difference. But, this isn’t the only reason why sobakawa pillows are good for the environment. Buckwheat hulls are organic, and they’ll likely be thrown away anyway. So, using them as pillow filling isn’t only creative and sustainable, but it’s also an effective material for comfort.
- It’s Not Just For Sleeping
Buckwheat hull pillows aren’t limited to sleeping only. You can also use them as cushioning for your seat, back, and wrists as you work on your computer. Being adjustable, you can add even adjust them to how you want the cushioning to feel, depending on how you plan to use them.
Conclusion
Everyone wants to rest and sleep like a baby, especially if you’re exhausted after an eventful day. Going home and getting ready for bed is such a calming ritual. And, the cherry-on-top is finally laying down on a comfortable mattress, wrapping yourself up in a warm blanket, and laying your head down on a cozy pillow.
If anything in your bed, bedroom, clothing, and surroundings feels off, you can automatically feel disturbed and unable to relax at all! So, make sure to have the right sleeping accessories, like a high-quality buckwheat hulls pillow.