Pillow hugging has a similar effect on the body as hugging a significant other. It triggers the release of oxytocin in the brain, which in turn can relieve pain, boost your immune system and alleviate stress.
I wouldn't consider it normal, but it definitely isn't uncommon. So don't sweat it. Buddy, you are perfectly okay, There is no problem. Maybe you are in need of a companion now and thats why you hug the pillow.
The first and most common reason for using a body pillow is as a back and joint pain remedy. If you're a side-sleeper dealing with back pain, you may find yourself waking up stiff each morning. Cuddling up to a big ol' body pillow could help keep your spine straight and relieve pressure from your joints.
While this cuddling position might seem reserved for the honeymoon stage, Greer says hugging while you sleep means you're "really into each other," and that doesn't necessarily have to fade away.
A leg pillow can keep your hips from twisting in the night. It can keep your knees neatly stacked on top of each other, preventing awkward spine curvature. This supports the natural alignment of your spine and reduces strain on your hips as you move in your sleep.
Situating a pillow between your lower half helps keep the knees aligned on top of one another, which in turn keeps your hip and pelvic area aligned. It can also reduce stress on the hips: A firm pillow between the knees can prevent the upper leg from pulling the spine out of alignment.
It is normal for many people to hug their pillow when they are trying to fall asleep. This may be due to the fact that it makes them feel secure and helps them deal with fear and anxiety. Cuddling a pillow can also be a sign of possessiveness or insecurity.
The pillow huggers are the ones who love to snuggle up and get cozy in bed. Their personalities are similar to the stargazers in that they hold personal friendships in high regard. Whether it's family, co-workers, or significant others, pillow huggers cherish relationships over anything else in their life.
You lie fully on your back, with your face up toward the ceiling and your arms pinned to your sides: this sleeping position is also known as the “royal” or “soldier” position.
For some, it may provide comfort and security, similar to the feeling of being hugged by a loved one. Others may find that the pressure against their body provides relief from pain or tension. And for still others, the rhythmic motion created by hugging a pillow can be soothing and calming.
Is it normal to hug a pillow while sleeping? Sleeping with a hug pillow is not really about lacking a significant other, but it's about feeling comfortable and secure. Sometimes, we need to hug something in order to fall asleep, cuddling a pillow is completely normal and does not need any reading into.
This is a self soothing move. He's cuddling it like he would you, suggesting he craves comfort and reassurance. He is stressed and keeps his emotions bottled up. The grip on the pillow is his body's way of releasing tension.
When we touch – cuddle, hug, or holding hands – our bodies release “feel good” hormones. These hormones include oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin. Once the hormones are released into our bodies we experience feelings of happiness, relaxation, improve mood, and lower levels of depression.
A romantic hug includes a lot of closeness and touching. This hug would include, not a pat on the back, but a rub. This may also be a lower touch than would be appropriate for a platonic friendship. Also, during a romantic hug, your faces usually press together.
And in instances where you're looking for this kind of support, if a guy holds your head while hugging, it feels extremely safe and comforting. Usually, it is to offer a sense of calmness, to help ground you, and make you feel steady.
They pretended the pillows to be their girlfriend or boyfriend whom they really miss in life. This gives them lots of comfort when they sleep. So, don't worry, it's absolutely fine to do that.
Hugging the pillow was found to reduce pre-test anxiety by the same amount as the meditation, while the control group's anxiety increased ahead of the test. “I think ultimately, it's just nice to give people with anxiety a choice of different ways to support themselves,” says Haynes.
“Physical closeness with a partner while in bed can stimulate the release of oxytocin, which has been shown to promote a sense of calm and relaxation, which may benefit sleep,” says Dr. Troxel. This release of sleep-promoting oxytocin can take place regardless of any intimate acts between the two of you.
When you sleep with the person you love every night, your body releases dopamine, which makes you feel pleasure (when released in large quantities), and serotonin, which is known as the "happy chemical." So, sharing a bed literally makes you a happier person.
— Whether you're spooning or on the opposite side of the bed, adults sleep better together than they do alone, research shows. The benefits of sharing the bed with a partner include less insomnia, less fatigue and more time asleep as well as nodding off quicker.