Insomnia & Pillow hugging

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I tried it last night, it definitely helped me to calm down but I still wasn't able to sleep quite that easily. Is there any trick to it, how big should the pillow be, how soft, how should I hold it?

Are you in the US? You can get 'body pillows' at Wal-Mart for around $12 (last I checked) they are longer and designed to 'hug'. I have two for each side of me which is handy for simply turning over, the one pillow can get tangled up in sheets and blankets otherwise. They even sell special pillow cases for body pillows to keep them clean.

ColdBlooded, me too. Also like to smell my pillows or maybe it's just the feel of them on my nose and lips. Not sure.

My sweetheart bought me a body pillow ($12 at Wal-Mart!) when I was having trouble sleeping due to pregnancy, and I don't know how I managed without it! I've suffered terribly with insomnia. I can't turn off my brain to go to sleep, I can't stay asleep...and it sux! I love my body pillow. I hug it all the time and I've got a partner! But he's not into sleep snuggling, so my pillow is wonderful! It's so comfortable, and since it's long, I can put it between my knees to help align my spine when I'm side sleeping. I highly recommend getting one!

I have a body pillow too. I made it a cover out of a quilt. I love quilts. They're heavy but not too hot. I also have an old down sleeping bag for a blanket. I just cut the zipper off and poof! A blanket! I love it and it's good and heavy but it's too hot, these days. I like to roll it up and use it for a pillow. My bed has a feather bed, a memory foam topper, a down comforter and a quilt on top of the mattress to sleep on. I have a quilt, the body pillow and a little pillow from a place that is actually called "a little pillow company" for my head. My bed is also on an angle (search "incline bed therapy" or "Andrew K. Fletcher"). I don't know if I could sleep flat again or not. I've been sleeping on an incline for over 4 years. I love my bed. I want to make another one just like it and put it in a little teardrop trailer and take it with me everywhere I go!

The pillow helps me to sleep but I still have nights where I can't. I think it's best to experiment to find what you feel is most comfortable for you, for me a regular size soft pillow, with my arms around it, positioned from neck to waist. Bliss.

The body pillow is a great idea, I'll have to get me one of those.

Best $12 I've ever spent!

I've always slept hugging stuffed animals, since I was a baby. After I turned 18, my mom would slowly take them away from me =/ So now I just use a pillow instead.

There's no "trick" to it. It's not a magical cure, it just helps a little bit...or at least I know when I don't have something to hug, I have a lot more trouble sleeping than if I did.

I thought everybody hugged their pillows.

I have a weighted blanket, but it's summer now, and that would be too hot, and anyway, it doesn't go all the way roung (it's a children's size). Body pillows are not easy to get where I live. So yesterday I bought myself three latex pillows, built myself a nest and had a very pleasant pillow-hugging night!

Interesting! I never realized it had any connection with my autism. I just can't sleep without hugging a pillow. And when I have a meltdown, or when I'm about to have it at home, I hug my pillow and rock back and forth.

Lately I've been enjoying laying my head completely face down into the pillow, though I fear doing such will suffocate me. My insomnia has been getting worse over the years since my mind starts running a mile a minute. I usually use the Internet before I go to bed only to wind up on it for as much as 6 hrs at a time.

It's NOT just me?! whew! I cannot literally sleep without a pillow to hug-if I'm traveling and haven't stolen an extra one,I roll up a coat or big bulky sweater. Interesting..

I thought I was the only one! I have a small pillow I like to hold while I sleep.

Maybe I should try that, I have always had great difficulty getting to sleep, unless it is very late and I have had a REALLY tiring day.

Sometimes, at random times, I hug pillows or cushions tightly which feels good.

I shall try it tonight, we are staying at my aunt's apartment and none of us are sleeping well, I stay awake for ages and wake up several times.

I am also a pillow hugger. Thought that was "normal" he he

My method is to build a "nest"... two big pillows at 180 degree angles.. two more pillows nested inside of those... then my "huggie" pillow that I snuggle with. Its old. Made of feathers. Stinks. Can't sleep without it though LOL It comes with me on trips and everything ROFL

That and a couple of glasses of wine seems to help.

Then again, its 3 am

Time for bed :/

I have a teddy, the covers close and over my face even in summer.