Why Do We Use Pillows?

This might seem to be a silly question or one that isn’t all that important in the larger scheme of things. But for many, the use of a pillow is an important part of resting and sleeping. So, how did we come to rely on the pillow as one of the necessary pieces of bedroom “furniture?”

From a medical/biological standpoint, we use pillows because the head and neck don’t stay in alignment when we lay down. Of course, this is not a major problem for healthy people when they are sitting or standing. In addition, during our waking hours the muscles are active and slightly tense, helping to hold the head and neck in line. When we relax upon laying down, and especially when we are asleep, the head can fall out of line if we are lying on our side or on our back.

Enter the pillow – designed specifically to hold the head in line and eliminate potential stiffness, aches and pain in the morning. In fact, there are several different pillow designs. Some are intended for specific problems, such as resting while sitting up. Others are designed to hold the head and support it more comfortably than the traditional bag of feathers many of us grew up with. Various types of foam rubber and other materials have been used.

Centuries ago, pillows were not commonly used in the homes of the poor, unless they made their own pillows from straw and whatever fabric they had on hand. Wealthier families and royalty were a bit more comfortable, using soft cloth and select feathers. Many people simply had to support their head with an arm folded beneath them.

Some people in earlier times actually carved their pillows (from wood, for example). It wasn’t as comfortable as a cloth/feather pillow or even a folded shirt, but it served its purpose.

In addition to these various types of pillows, some beds had “pillow” built in. The person who carved or assembled a bed might include a headrest as part of the design. This was sometimes seen in Egypt. The headrests were usually made of wood or stone. In the best of situations the headrest was slightly curved so that the head would rest in the lower portion and not roll from side to side.

Some residents of ancient Middle Eastern countries, and residents of Pacific islands, preferred more comfortable support for their head. They used cloth or leather pouches that were stuffed with various materials, including grain! Other populations around the globe used whatever natural materials were available, including carved limbs of trees, bamboo and so on.

Depending on the financial station in life, a person might have a pillow made of expensive woven material stuffed with even softer material for ultimate comfort, or a peasant might use a shirt or jacket that is no longer worn, folding it or sewing the edges and stuffing it with straw. Whatever the material, pillows are primarily used for health reasons and for comfort.

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