If you've never slept with a body pillow before, you might be wondering what all the fuss is about. Or maybe you saw one and thought it was just another decorative bed pillow. Trust us: once you learn of the benefits of body pillows, you'll be excited to give one a try.

Why Use a Body Pillow?

Body pillows can help support your body from head to toe. A standard body pillow is cylindrical or I-shaped and ranges from 48 inches to 54 inches long, but you can find some as long as 72 inches. You can also find specialty body pillows shaped like the letters U, J, and C. The cylindrical body pillows tend to be the most versatile, so we suggest trying one of those first unless a doctor has recommended otherwise.

Body pillows can help with several health issues, including:

• Back pain: a supportive body pillow can help with spinal alignment, alleviating some types of back pain.
• Arthritis: using a body pillow can take some of the pressure off your joints, from your shoulders to your feet, while you sleep.
• Discomfort from pregnancy: cylindrical and C-shaped pillows are popular with pregnant women because they support a woman's belly and legs when they sleep on their sides later in their pregnancy.
• Recovery from hip or knee surgery: a doctor can tell you the best way to use a body pillow post-surgery to help you get the sleep you need for a speedy recovery.
• Sleep apnea: people who suffer from sleep apnea may be less likely to roll onto their back if they use a body pillow to sleep on their side.

Body pillows are good for side sleepers, especially, because without one, your shoulders will naturally hunch inward and there is more pressure on your lower back and the hip that's facing the ceiling thanks to gravity. By simply using a standard body pillow while you sleep, you might be able to avoid posture issues down the road.

How to Sleep with a Body Pillow

Now that you understand why a body pillow is good for you, let's consider the best way to sleep with one.

1. Align the body pillow on your bed the same way you would your body – length-wise.
2. Lie on your side, facing the pillow.
3. Lift your top leg and arm and place them over the pillow so they are resting comfortably.
4. If you have an extra-long body pillow, you can also rest your head on it. With a standard-sized body pillow, you'll want to use a separate pillow for your head so you can use the body pillow for proper alignment.

One last thing to consider is the materials your body pillow is made from. While down is popular, it can be too warm for hot-sleepers and problematic for people with allergies. Cozy Earth's body pillows are encased in a 100% bamboo viscose cover and filled with a down alternative made from 60% recycled polyester and 40% bamboo viscose. These materials make our body pillows comfortable, breathable, and more environmentally friendly.

Now that you understand the benefits of body pillows, it's time to take your sleep to the next level. Order a Cozy Earth body pillow today, and rest assured that it is covered by one of the industry's best warranties.