If you love to sleep, you’ll surely agree that the right mattress and pillows greatly contribute to the quality of sleep that you get at night. Your pillows, in particular, can make or break a good night’s sleep, so you need to be meticulous about choosing the right one.
Have you ever tried using a Japanese pillow when sleeping at night? Or, maybe, a better question would be if you’ve ever heard of a Japanese pillow before? People are aware that there are several types of pillows available, but, perhaps, not everyone knows that there are special pillows, like the Sobakawa pillow from Japan.
If you’re curious to find out more about this type of pillow and how it can improve your overall well-being, you’ve come to the right place.
A Closer Look At The Japanese Buckwheat Pillow
The use of buckwheat as a filling for pillows and beddings in Japan approximately started around 600 years ago. Today, buckwheat pillows are used in different countries. The hulls serve as the casing for the buckwheat seeds inside, and they’re springy and firm enough to align with your body’s contour.
A Japanese pillow usually comes with zippers and is made from natural fibers. The zippers make it possible to remove some of the buckwheat seeds to adjust firmness according to your preference. Just take note to keep the seeds you’ve removed from the pillow so you can still use them in case the pillow slightly compresses due to age.
Benefits Of Using Japanese Pillows
Why use Japanese pillows instead of other available types of pillows in the market? Just so you know, having these pillows at home can improve your overall well-being because of the following reasons:
1. The Pillows Help In Keeping Your Spine Aligned
Any misalignment in the spine can affect the whole body. When the spine is misaligned, it means that your spine is out of position and may lead to different health issues that are nerve-related, such as chronic pain and stiffness of the back and neck.
Using a pillow that doesn’t support your neck and back forces your body to adapt to unnatural curvatures and positions as you sleep. As a result, you’ll wake up feeling tired and in pain, instead of being recharged from a good night’s sleep.
Japanese pillows, on the other hand, are malleable enough because of the hulls that move flexibly to support the unique contours of the body. The hulls also follow the shape or curve of your shoulders and neck, thus, allowing for added support and flexibility.
2. They’re Hypoallergenic
Since buckwheat hulls are organic and environmentally friendly, they’re naturally hypoallergenic. Because of this reason, Japanese pillows are a better alternative for people who have allergic reactions to other pillow fillings and materials, such as latex, feather, and down.
Also, standard pillows are believed to contain carcinogens and non-biodegradable materials. Each time you dispose of them, they pose potential harm to the environment because they don’t decompose. They only end up occupying more landfill spaces, in contrast to Japanese pillows that are made from farm-grown materials.
3. The Pillows Can Get Rid Of Mites And Dust
Mites and dust can accumulate in your pillows without you even noticing it. When that happens, people with asthma and other related medical conditions will find it hard to sleep deeply and naturally. When these health conditions are triggered, they might lead to sleep disturbances, such as itchy skin and runny nose. You don’t have to worry about these possibilities when you’re using buckwheat pillows.
The materials used in making Japanese pillows are vegan and organic, and, as such, they’re not a possible food source for bugs and insects. This means that mites won’t be attracted to the pillows, and they also won’t be allowed to survive and multiply in their materials or fillings. Additionally, buckwheat pillows provide excellent airflow inside of them, so you don’t need to worry about dirt and dust getting trapped in them.
The same also applies to using a hemp pillow when sleeping. Although notably smaller than Japanese pillows, hemp pillows are also filled with organic hulls made from hemp, thus, giving the same hypoallergenic and dust and mites resistance benefits.
4. They May Help Reduce Snoring
Snoring causes a person to lose a lot of quality sleep every night. In reality, it’s actually more disturbing for someone when it’s their partner or spouse who’s snoring so loudly during bedtime. There are occasional snorers, while there are also those who are regular snorers. When left untreated, snoring can be a big problem and may lead to complications, such as risks of heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure.
Sobakawa pillows may reduce snoring because of their ability to compress and adjust according to the shape of a person’s head. Having a better posture as you sleep contributes to keeping your airways open throughout your sleep. They also help in elevating the head, which is believed to aid in relieving or reducing snoring because it lessens the blockage in the nasal passages.
5. They Smell So Good
The smell of Japanese pillows can greatly contribute to you being able to sleep soundly and deeply at night. Obviously, it’s difficult to sleep if you’re smelling different unpleasant scents in your room. With Sobakawa pillows, however, this doesn’t have to be a concern because the pillows are always smelling great and organic.
These pillows have a strong scent that varies depending on the size and quantity, but, generally, you can expect a soft and fresh aroma that’ll fill your bedroom each time you lay in your bed. The more pillows you have, the stronger the scent will be, and if you’re a fan of natural and fresh scents, you’ll definitely appreciate the natural buckwheat scent.
6. The Materials Of Japanese Pillows Are Long-Lasting
When maintained properly, Japanese pillows can last for as long as 20 years. You may ask how is that related to improving your overall well-being—the answer is quite simple. You get to use the pillows for a longer time, and, naturally, you’re able to maximize their benefits for as long as you can use them.
You also don’t need to spend so much money buying new pillows every year. Just make sure that the buckwheat pillows you buy have carefully-sewn seams and rugged zippers to ensure that the hulls are properly sealed and secure. Depending on the size of the pillow you choose, the materials should also be sturdy enough to make sure that the hulls don’t wear out over time. In such cases, you may opt to buy new hulls instead of buying a whole new pillow altogether.
7. You May Use Them For Different Purposes
Japanese pillows aren’t only made for sleeping; you can also use them for other purposes. Because they’re very flexible and adjustable, these pillows may also be used if you want to rest your back and shoulder while sitting on your office chair. Buckwheat pillows are also available in different shapes, so it’s easy to find one that fits your car seat if you’re planning for a long drive. Smaller ones may be useful if you need something that can support your wrist while you work at the office.
As you can see, these special pillows can be used according to your needs and preferences. You may bring them anywhere as long as you choose the right size to make them easy to carry. If you have any upcoming trip to the beach, you can bring one or two of your buckwheat pillows at home so you can be more comfortable as you relax by the sand or as you lie down on a hammock.
8. Buckwheat Pillows May Help Control Temperature
One of the reasons why people find it hard to sleep at night is because of uncontrollable temperature. It’s, indeed, challenging to relax and sleep faster if all you do is toss and turn in your bed because it’s either too hot or too cold in your room. Such situations could be even made worse by regular pillows that tend to be sticky and hot because of their synthetic materials and properties.
Your Sobakawa pillows may help in regulating or controlling the temperature because of them being exceptionally breathable. As the buckwheat hulls move around the pillow flexibly, they allow for better air circulation and movement. As a result, you’ll find the pillow to be quite warm or cool as you need it to be.
If you want to feel a lot cooler when trying to sleep, you can also try putting the buckwheat hulls inside the freezer. Doing this will make the hulls colder, and, of course, your head and neck will also feel colder as you lay your head down on it. On the flip side, there’s also an option to put the hulls in the microwave if you want your pillow to be extra warm, especially during chilly nights.
9. They’re Perfect For Any Sleeping Position
Your sleeping position will also determine how comfortable and relaxed you’ll be when you sleep at night. There’s no better sleeping position because it depends on what will work for your own body. There’s the fetal position, which is the most popular one. Others prefer to sleep on their side, on their stomach, or just flat on their back. It’s worth mentioning that buckwheat pillows will support your body regardless of the sleeping position that you prefer.
As mentioned earlier, Japanese pillows are quite adjustable and flexible enough. For back sleepers, you can expect these pillows to fill the space beneath your neck. You can expect that your back and neck muscles will be more relaxed, thus, alleviating muscle strains.
If you prefer sleeping on your stomach, you can consider having less filling in your buckwheat pillows so that the hulls are distributed evenly, thus, giving you a more natural position as you sleep.
10. Buckwheat Pillows May Help Relieve Migraine
Migraine could be very painful, and it’s one of the reasons why some people can’t sleep at night. The throbbing pain and pulsating sensations that migraines give are impossible to ignore, and, at times, a person suffering from it may even experience other discomforts, such as high sensitivity to sounds and lights, nausea, and vomiting.
If this sounds like what you’re experiencing during a migraine attack, you may want to consider purchasing Japanese pillows for your sleep. Given the malleability of the pillows, they allow for the right amount of support to your airways and soft tissues, while also closely providing support to certain critical points of your skull and neck. In other words, the pillows may be able to target your pressure points, and once they do, blood flow might improve, therefore possibly relieving your migraine headaches.
Pillows Greatly Matter
Each time people find it hard to sleep, they often attribute it to medical reasons, such as insomnia and sleep apnea. While these reasons may be true, you also need to consider other possible causes, such as the quality of pillows that you’re using. It’s quite easy to just buy any type of pillow that you find in the market, especially if you’re not aware of the different types available. It’s necessary to educate yourself so that you won’t be making any mistake when buying. This applies not only to buying pillows, but, also, to anything that you buy in general.
Japanese pillows can be very beneficial in improving overall well-being. They’re hypoallergenic and can help in relieving migraines, snoring, and even neck and back pains. These pillows are also versatile and can be used for any purpose. You can benefit from them regardless of the sleeping position that you’re comfortable with. Since the hulls are removable, you can make them cooler or warmer, depending on the current weather or sleeping environment that you have.
So, the next time you’re out shopping for new pillows, consider these benefits above. Buckwheat pillows are highly durable and can last for several years, thus, making them an excellent purchase, especially if you want to save money. They may seem expensive at first glance, but as you discover their many benefits, you’ll realize that you’re getting exactly what you paid for, and even more.
Barry Lachey is a Professional Editor at Zobuz. Previously He has also worked for Moxly Sports and Network Resources “Joe Joe.” He is a graduate of the Kings College at the University of Thames Valley London. You can reach Barry via email or by phone.
