Pillows are mainly used to support the head and spine while sleeping, and almost everyone has the habit. But doctors say the habit of sleeping with a pillow under the head should be changed now for the sake of good health.

Experts say a pillow does far more harm than good. Put up with a little discomfort for a few days, they say, and the habit will change by itself. Here are the benefits of sleeping without a pillow.

The spine stays healthy: if you have back pain, start sleeping without a pillow soon and you will see the benefit. A pillow changes the level of the head relative to the rest of the body, and the spine bears the greatest effect.

Neck health improves: statistics show that most of South Asia's population suffers from some shoulder, neck or back problem, and most patients are aged 25 to 40. That is why doctors advise sleeping without a pillow from a young age, as this allows blood to flow properly to the neck and surrounding area during sleep.

The face benefits: several studies have found that many people who sleep on a pillow like to lie face down with their face pressed into it. Sleeping like this for long periods raises the chance of wrinkles, which appear most on the cheek that stays in contact with the pillow most of the time.

Pillows disturb sleep: several case studies have found that people sleep better without a pillow than with one.

Most of us have slept with our heads on a pillow since childhood, so stopping suddenly may keep you awake. Give up the habit slowly. For the first week, use a thick folded towel under your head instead of a pillow, and reduce the towel's height as the days go by.

In the second week, make the towel very thin. During this time, keep your head in a position where the chin points down, not up. Once the towel is at its lowest height, you can also start doing some neck and back exercises from time to time, and you will feel the benefit.

Citing RTV.

Source: Amader Shomoy. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.