Buckwheat Pillow And Beyond: 9 Essentials For A Cozy Trip
Traveling is one of the most favored universal hobbies. Embarking on a trip to experience the sights, smells, and sounds of a different destination, no matter how near or far, is an exciting experience to most.
Whether you prefer a frolic on the shore, experience mother nature in the mountains, or just go anywhere for a memorable experience, comfort should be first on your mind. Getting enough rest and cozy sleep could help you enjoy your travels better. In these instances, a buckwheat pillow can be your necessary travel buddies.
Below are the compelling reasons to take a buckwheat pillow (or two, before your next road trip.
What Makes Buckwheat Pillows Special?
Buckwheat is a type of grain-like plant that’s widely grown in the Asian region. As a staple diet in ancient times, buckwheat is mainly used for human and animal consumption. Humans have enjoyed making flour and noodles out of these plants.
Apart from consuming buckwheat, humans soon discovered an eco-friendly way of repurposing buckwheat hulls—by stuffing them inside pillows. This practice was first attributed to ancient Japanese who were practicing the widely held belief of having ‘cold head and warm feet’ to achieve the body’s healthiest state. Hence, the birth of the Buckwheat Pillow, which also goes by its Japanese name, ‘Sobakawa.’
Japanese technology has allowed the use of high-quality buckwheat hulls to help sleepers experience utmost comfort and a number of perceived health benefits. When stuffed inside common sleeping implements such as pillows and mattresses, they provide reliable support and adequate firmness, as well as customizability.
Why Should Buckwheat Pillows Be In Every Travel Checklist?
Before embarking on a road trip, jet-setters and backpackers alike reach out to their buckwheat pillows for the following reasons:
They’re Travel Friendly
Buckwheat pillows can be used as a travel neck pillow. They often come in two shapes—the small rectangular or the U-shaped sleeping aid. The latter provides better support, since this fits your neck perfectly and keeps it in an ideal position.
If you’re a frequent air traveler, you know how hard it is to get some sleep on a plane. Using a buckwheat pillow can make your above the clouds snooze session way easier and better.
You Can Customize Your Own Travel Pillow
Buckwheat pillows can be customized according to your preference. Hence, making a travel pillow that’s neither U-shaped or triangular shaped is also possible. Hulls of this grain are sold online, and you can buy one pound at an average price of USD$20.
Making a tube-shaped travel pillow may be better to provide support to both your neck and back. You can sew your own pillow cover or have it done for you for a small fee.
You Can Use Them In Lieu Of Hotel Pillows
If you’re not a business executive, it’s likely that you’re not billeted at a five-star hotel. Similarly, if you’re in a country without such highly rated amenities, you don’t know what surprises you in the accommodation place.
Often, you’ll end up with a set of mattress and pillows that aren’t to your liking—either because they’re too tough, too soft, or just not right for you. The solution? Sleep on your very own buckwheat pillow instead of tossing and turning all night and losing sleep.
They’re Breathable
High temperatures may contribute to sleep disruptions such as insomnia. According to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), our core body temperature drops about two degrees Fahrenheit as we sleep. This explains why people feel the need to turn on air conditioning just to a more restful sleep.
For reference, the NSF adds that the ideal sleeping room temperature should be around 60 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit (15.6 to 19.4 degrees Celsius) to have the most comfortable sleep. Unlike other types of pillow fills such as foam, buckwheat hulls move, allowing for better air circulation. The air spaces in between the hulls allows heat to pass. In addition, the cool bamboo-and-mesh casing in some brands helps regulate warm air too.
Using buckwheat pillows will prevent your head from getting sticky with sweat, making you feel uncomfortable even during the summer months or travelling to humid, tropical countries.
They’re Fully Customizable
When receiving their buckwheat pillows straight from the manufacturer’s warehouse, these sleeping aids are filled to the brim. But the good thing is, you can simply take off some of the hulls to adjust according to your preference.
We all require different sleeping positions and therefore need pillows with different heights, shapes, and sizes. For instance, persons who sleep on their sides require high-loft or thicker pillows to have a comfortable sleep. That’s because their heads need to be propped up to align with their neck and shoulders. On the other hand, individuals who sleep on their backs only need a thin pillow for the same purpose. Some back sleepers can even survive without laying on one.
Apart from sleeping positions, a user’s preference to the pillow’s firmness is also a major consideration. As you may have guessed, a fuller buckwheat pillow will feel firmer, while less hulls mean a softer sleeping tool.
It’s easy to know if your pillow is too high—just lay on your back. If your neck and head are bent toward the ceiling, you need to take a few hull fills. The opposite is true if your head falls toward the bed.
When you can’t find a pillow that fits your preference and are thousands of miles away from home, just take your buckwheat pillow to help you sleep tight.
They Last A Long Time
Whether placing your buckwheat pillow inside your luggage or in your backpack, you’ll find comfort in knowing that they’re not as easy to deform or squish. But of course, it should be packed within a reasonable amount of space.
The hulls aren’t invincible, and as with any other shells, they’re subject to wear and tear over time. With care and proper use, it takes years before the hulls lose their shape though. Some users have reported having buckwheat pillows for 10 years. Compare this to some other types of pillows which need to be replaced every one to two years.
When you feel that your buckwheat pillows are no longer as firm as before after years of use, you can always buy hull fills online or in stores nearest to you that sell them. In addition, if you’re a frequent traveler, you’ll find that owning a buckwheat pillow is a good investment. You can take it anywhere you want to go, without worrying whether you can still use it in the long run.
See what makes and ideal buckwheat pillow in this video:
America’s Finest Buckwheat Pillow | The Best Sobakawa Buckwheat Hulls Pillow by PineTales®
They Can Help You Get Peace Of Mind
In this day and age of the pandemic, it can be worrying to share some intimate items with previous hotel guests. This statement is by no means an attempt at undermining the sanitation and minimum health protocols implemented by accommodation facilities. It’s just being extra careful.
Bringing your own buckwheat pillow in your trips can help you attain peace of mind knowing you’re not exposed to harmful organisms that may have been missed by the hotel’s cleaning staff.
They May Help Prevent Aches And Pains
Wherever your destination is, you need to get enough sleep to meet the physical and mental demands of traveling. To ensure peak performance, it’s imperative to get a good night’s sleep, allowing for your body to repair and rejuvenate itself.
Because buckwheat pillows are capable of molding based on the user’s unique body contours, it’s said to help promote head, neck, shoulder, and spine alignment. And because you maintain a good posture even while you’re sleeping, your body’s soft tissues—muscles, joints, ligaments, and nerves—aren’t subject to undue pressure from an erratic sleeping position.
This means you’ll wake up in the morning well rested and ready to tackle the challenges ahead—whether it’s a 10-kilometer mountain hike or an adventure-packed day fighting with the rapids.
They’re Environment Friendly
Buckwheat pillows are a by-product of repurposing. Instead of the hulls being thrown away to rot, it has found its way to a number of bedrooms in Japan and all over the world.
This is critical in helping stave off the volume of wastes generated globally, which is estimated to be at two billion tons annually, according to the World Bank. Using the hulls as pillow fills can help reduce solid waste dumped in space-consuming landfills all over the world.
In the same manner, manufacturing buckwheat pillows doesn’t leave huge volumes of carbon footprint. It doesn’t take much water and chemicals to process hull fillings because they’re inherently pest resistant. Additionally, used hulls can be used as ground compost and may help fertilize the ground in homes.
If you’re a traveler, you should take it upon yourself to refrain from contributing to further environmental damage by keeping your travel wastes and emissions to the minimum. Having a buckwheat pillow with you could help preserve your travel destination’s environment.
They’re Nontoxic And Hypoallergenic
Manufacturers claim that their pillows are nontoxic, which isn’t surprising since growing buckwheat doesn’t require the use of chemicals such as pesticides and fertilizers. Known as a tough plant, buckwheat is resistant to pests and insects.
That being said, they’re devoid of chemical use during the cleaning process. In lieu of mixing hazardous materials, organically grown buckwheat hulls are only mechanically filtered to be clear of any contaminants. The hulls are leftovers from ground buckwheat, which are mainly used for human consumption and to feed animals.
Because they’re organic and devoid of harmful chemicals, buckwheat hulls are also hypoallergenic. Capable of enhancing airflow, bacteria, molds, and other microorganisms don’t stand a chance proliferating in these pillows. Using them in your travel adventures allows you to maintain healthy and allergy-free.
Promotes Better Sleep
Some travelers experience low-level anxiety when sleeping on a hotel bed for the first time. And this could be a major contributing factor to sleep disruptions. Instead of tossing and turning, though, you’ll find that you can sleep faster with a buckwheat pillow.
Pain reduction, enhanced comfort, and peace of mind aren’t the only benefits of using a buckwheat pillow, allowing for high-quality slumber. In fact, some users report improved snoring regulation when using this sleeping implement.
Manufacturers claim that laying on a buckwheat pillow facilitates the opening of your airways, which may further prevent snoring. With all these benefits, using buckwheat pillows provides you with your most comfortable sleep yet, even if you’re far away from home.
What Else Do You Need For Your Trip?
Linen Spray
Often, we get too excited on the way to a new destination that our mind is racing with thoughts even when it’s time to sleep. Linen Spray would come in handy, if for some reason you need to calm down following a tiring day.
Small Battery-Operated Fan
This travel tool is a must-have if you’re on a trip to tropical countries with high humidity. A battery-operated fan is also perfect for travelers who need to cool down in the outdoors or in places with no electricity.
Lip Balm
To prevent your lips from cracking due to dry or cold weather, always have lip balm in your purse. Lip balm can also be applied to other parts of the body that dry and crack easily.
Facial Spray
Speaking of moisturizing, packing a facial spray in your travel bag can help you cool down when the outdoor heat becomes unbearable.
Earplugs
Whether on the plane or on your hotel bed, earplugs can be a good way to filter ambient noise that can wake you up.
Set Of Comfy Lounge Or Sleepwear
Just because you need to pack light doesn’t mean spandex should be your life. Taking a comfy set of sleepwear, one made of cotton or the more eco-friendly bamboo fabric can help you get cozy when it’s time to sleep (and practically anytime, really).
A Pack of Wet Wipes
There’s nothing more unsettling than feeling sticky and dirty all over. In cases where water isn’t available to rinse your hands with or wipe any part of your body, a pack of wet wipes are the next best thing.
A Multi-purpose Scarf
Protecting your head and face from the elements is important when on the road. For this, you need to have a scarf that does the job. Take one that you can use to place around your neck to provide more warmth or place on your body as a swimsuit covering.
A properly sized scarf can be used as a blanket to pair your buckwheat pillow with. This is perfect for when you want to feel cozy as you take your trip to dreamland.
Buckwheat is a great crop that provides food and comfort to many people. It’s not only capable of producing grain—it’s also an essential travel must-have, owing to pillows that provide comfort and spinal alignment, among other advantages. Best of all, these pillows are durable and eco friendly, preventing you from developing ‘eco guilt.’
When traveling with the essentials listed in this article, coupled with a buckwheat pillow, you’re sure to have your coziest trip ever.
