It’s no secret that a proper night’s sleep is essential for your general health and wellness. However, achieving quality slumber is more than just getting seven to nine hours of sleep. Several factors can influence your sleep quality besides your number of sleeping hours. And one of these factors is the quality of your pillow.
According to research, using the wrong type of pillows can lead to neck pain, eventually affecting your sleep quality and overall health. The same source also claims that using low-quality pillows can intervene with your continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment for people with sleep apnea. Ultimately, a proper and quality pillow is essential to achieving a good night’s sleep.
What are buckwheat pillows?
With many selections of pillows available, one of the most recommended types is the buckwheat pillow. Buckwheat pillows are filled with the outer casings of buckwheat seeds (also known as hulls). They originated in Japan but are now widely used around the world.
Today, this pillows are available on the market. You can buy them at a mall or from a reputable brand with an online store like PineTales.
What are the key benefits of buckwheat pillows?
It’s hard to compare buckwheat pillows with other types of pillows, especially if you haven’t used one before. Keep reading to learn about the key benefits of buckwheat pillows.
They’re moldable
One of the best features of buckwheat pillows that isn’t present in other kinds of pillows is their moldability. You have the option to add or remove the buckwheat hulls, depending on your comfort needs and preferences. For example, if you’re a side sleeper, you’ll need a higher pillow to support your neck and head during your sleep. So, you can stuff your buckwheat pillow with more hulls. If you’re more of a back sleeper, you’ll need a lower pillow to keep your head aligned with your spine throughout the night.
If you’re unsure of the right pillow height, you may check out below video or other sources to learn how to conduct a buckwheat pillow support test. This test will help you determine the amount of hulls you need for your pillow to effectively support your neck, head, and shoulders.
Overall, this pillows are extremely moldable, supporting your head and neck during sleep and reducing the risk of back or neck pains.
They’re non-toxic
Another great benefit of buckwheat pillows is that they’re non-toxic. Other types of pillows, like memory foam and down and feather pillows, use chemicals and synthetic materials during manufacture. In fact, a study reports that some manufacturers use sticky chemicals to bind fibers and dust till they turn to down clusters, as well as apply antifungal and antibacterial chemicals to preserve the pillow for long-term use. The presence of these chemical additives on your pillow means exposing your head, particularly your nose and mouth, to toxic chemicals that could compromise your health.
For a more natural and safer alternative, you can opt for buckwheat pillows. Buckwheat pillows don’t have any chemicals or toxins since the seeds and hulls are organic and all-natural. Thus, you won’t have to worry about inhaling toxins while asleep.
They have a cooling ability
Have you ever experienced waking up at midnight, sweating profusely, and tried flipping your pillow for the cooler side? However, flipping your pillow won’t simply work to relieve sweat during your sleep. Night sweating happens when using a pillow made of synthetic material (e.g., memory foam). Since the synthetic material or the polyurethane fibers aren’t breathable, the pillow will reflect your body heat back to you, leading to excessive sweating at night and affecting your sleep quality.
For a cooler and much more comfortable sleep, you can switch to buckwheat pillows. The husks are shaped like little cupped triangles, which promote great airflow since the air can easily pass through the gaps. This pillows are also breathable, as the hulls allow your body’s warm, humid air to quickly escape through the pillow, preventing uncomfortable heat build-up. That said, if you frequently sweat in your sleep, this may be a sign to buy a buckwheat pillow.
They’re odor-free
Unlike most synthetic pillows filled with plastics or chemicals, buckwheat pillows are free from unpleasant odors. This makes buckwheat a popular choice for scent-sensitive users.
Buckwheat pillows only exude a natural, earthly smell, which can help you feel relaxed and sleep better at night. Meanwhile, organic pillows scented with essential oils are also available for people looking for pillows that can offer aromatherapy.
They’re long-lasting
Most experts recommend pillow replacement every one to two years, as it’s the average lifespan for most traditional pillow types. But for buckwheat pillows, they’re more durable and can last for several years, or even up to 10 years, as long as they’re properly maintained. The hulls are sturdy and may take years before they start breaking down. And if they do, you can replace the hulls anytime instead of buying a new pillow.
Wrapping up
Overall, this pillows make a better option. You’ll finally sleep better once you start using buckwheat pillows.
