The reason hotel linens include four pillows

2022-07-08


  The ancients said, “Rest easy with a high pillow,” but modern medicine holds that pillows that are too high or too low are both harmful to the cervical spine; placing your head in the wrong position can lead to further problems—short-term discomfort and soreness, and in the long run, the inevitable need for major surgery. Moreover, many people habitually sleep without a pillow, causing their heads to tilt backward during sleep. In this posture, the cervical spine bears twice as much pressure as when the head is tilted forward, and over time, this will inevitably result in health issues.

  How you position your pillow while sleeping is crucial—your pillow should support the natural curve of your neck. You can test this yourself: when lying down, if the base of your chin points upward, your pillow is too low; if your chin presses downward, your pillow is too high. For comfort and proper alignment, your chin should remain level.

  Sleep accounts for one-third of our lives, so posture deserves careful attention. Some parents believe that letting their children sleep on a firm mattress will ensure proper bone development. In reality, the flesh in the hips, lower back, and shoulders varies in thickness; a hard surface prevents these areas from conforming to the bed, hindering relaxation and leading to discomfort—and ultimately, poor health.