If comfort while travelling is essential for you, then buckwheat pillows are a must. Learn more about their benefits on our blog.
Traveling is a favorite pastime the world over. Exploring a new destination, uncovering earthly delights, and experiencing a different pace of life all provide a great sense of enrichment and memories that can last a lifetime. To quote Tolkien, “not all those who wander are lost,” as being inquisitive, spontaneous, and spatially and psychologically mobile may be beneficial to cognitive recognition. (1)
To some, the idea of travel might call to mind downtime at a resort. For others, it’s synonymous with journeys through rugged terrain. Or, it might be all about finding opportunities for cultural immersion somewhere new. Whatever your plans, comfort will almost certainly play a role in enabling you to enjoy your trip.
A travel neck pillow could be part of the solution, and buckwheat pillows are a great option. Here, we break down just why you should consider adding a buckwheat pillow to your checklist before your next trip.
But first, what is buckwheat and what is a buckwheat pillow?
Buckwheat is a leafy and floral plant. It grows seeds which can be used for human consumption, or for feeding domestic animals. There is debate on its classification, with some arguing it’s a fruit, while others claim it’s a “pseudo-grain.” Regardless of your stance, buckwheat can be used for noodles, ground into flour, or boiled until soft and eaten as porridge.
Beyond buckwheat’s culinary uses, the shell or husk of the fruit can then used to make a buckwheat pillow. This inedible part of the buckwheat is soft, durable, and long-lasting, making it ideal to be used in pillows, mattresses, or even blankets. The firmness of said products can be adjusted by adding or removing buckwheat accordingly, giving them an advantageous sense of dynamism when compared to cotton alternatives.
Buckwheat pillows, also known as “sobakawa,” originated in Japan. As Japan’s high-precision products and technology have spread across the globe, so too have notions of Japanese quality. Reputationally, buckwheat pillows have benefitted from this association with Japanese quality and innovation. Now, buckwheat pillows are an essential item in many of the suitcases and backpacks of knowledgeable travelers the world over. (2)
Why are buckwheat pillows on so many travel checklists?
Buckwheat pillows are becoming synonymous with smart travelers for a long list of reasons. Read on below for some of the ways buckwheat pillows can enhance your experience as a traveler.
Traveling on planes
A popular option here is the travel neck pillow. There are two varieties of this, the U-shaped one, and the standard rectangle shaped one.
The U-shaped variety began as a treatment for chondrodermatitis nodularis helicis, an inflammation of the ear, neck, and face that commonly occurs from sleeping on affected areas. The U-shaped pillow keeps necks and heads straight. (3)
This idea was adapted for use on flights to keep heads and necks straight while sleeping on planes. This is not only far better for your neck and back, but also reduces snoring, which is a symptom of bad posture. For this reason, many people won’t board a flight without one.
Buckwheat Pillow Travel Size/ Kids Size – by PineTales®
Use them in place of hotel pillows
Hotels have long divided opinion. Some people love them for their association with vacations—and for other perks, like pools and room service—while others can’t stand the drab interiors and generic feel. Most would agree, however, that hotel beds are usually hit or miss.
If you land on a miss, your pillow could likely be a point of contention for you during your stay. Bringing a buckwheat pillow you already know you love could save you from a bad night’s sleep on a lumpy, flat, or excessively hard pillow.
Hygiene and health
Buckwheat pillows are hypoallergenic as they promote airflow through them. With air circulation being a feature of the pillows, this is less conducive to build-ups of bacteria or mold. This makes them ideal compared to alternatives like cotton, which are particularly prone to issues like the growth of bacteria and microorganisms.
Buckwheat pillows are an attractive item to travel with when staying in accommodations available to the general public. In the age of COVID-19, travelers are more concerned about cleanliness, and bringing your own buckwheat pillow could help you rest a bit easier. While many places are going above and beyond to protect travelers, a little extra peace of mind won’t hurt.
Muscle support
Depending on the style of trip, it may be the case that you’re putting your body through more physical exertion than you normally would. Think hiking trips to Nepal, or rock climbing the Red River Gorge in Kentucky. During these kinds of trips, a good night’s rest is essential.
Using a buckwheat pillow promotes stability in the cervical spine, and also reduces side-to-side pressure when lying down. The ergonomic design of buckwheat pillows helps to maintain a healthy neck angle which leaves the sleeper more well-rested, more agile, and more able to take on the challenges and adventures that the days ahead have in store. (4)
Environmentally friendly
“Eco-guilt” is the feeling of guilt people have when they think about, or are confronted by, the magnitude of their environmental impact, or their inability to meet certain environmental standards. Eco-guilt is particularly common among tourists, whose travel emissions and impacts on local environments can be exceptionally harmful. (5)
Cotton, a common material for pillows, is a huge strain on the environment, requiring a large amount of water and chemicals to produce. Buckwheat, on the other hand, is disease tolerant which diminishes the need for chemicals. Buckwheat also helps to bring fertility back into fields where it’s planted and then turned back into the soil, colloquially referred to as “green manure.” (6) (7)
Eco-guilt is found to have a negative impact on behaviors that hurt the environment. This partially explains the gravitation to buckwheat pillows by travelers, who are in search of both sustainable alternatives to more intensive materials, like cotton, and eco-friendly tourism experiences. (8)
In conclusion
Buckwheat is, evidently, a dynamic crop. It’s not only a versatile food, but is well-suited for use in products suited for both home and travel. Buckwheat pillows in particular can be a huge asset to travelers. Some of their benefits include neck support on planes, muscle support, hygiene in shared spaces, comfort, and a reduced environmental footprint.
References
1. “The Cognitive Benefits Of Letting Your Mind Wander,” Source: https://qz.com/1148996/the-cognitive-benefits-of-letting-your-mind-wander/
2. “Japanese Skill and Knowledge Transfer ― The Case of Exporting High-precision Production Technology to China and Vietnam,” Source: https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.1045.8911&rep=rep1&type=pdf
3. “U-shaped neck pillow for chondrodermatitis nodularis helicis: A budget-friendly, simple alternative,” Source: https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(19)32646-5/abstract
4. “Biomechanical Evaluation of the Neck and Shoulder When Using Pillows with Various Inner Materials,” Source: https://www.koreascience.or.kr/article/JAKO201126235933805.page
5. “Eco-guilt in tourism: Do tourists intend to behave environmentally friendly and still revisit?” Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212571X21000500?casa_token=I-vEL2qCg6oAAAAA:hUaCiRuLxEmxGQHsgd–MK-q0K5Yu_TUWe09vnGKtO3o4D9ASxP77qejcD2Brck83YHnpUA44zs
6. “The real cost of your clothes: These are the fabrics with the best and worst environmental impact,” Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/sustainable-living/environment-fast-fashion-worst-fabrics-a8963921.html
7. “Real Food Encyclopedia | Buckwheat,” Source: https://foodprint.org/real-food/buckwheat/
8. “Eco-Guilt Motivates Eco-Friendly Behavior,” Source: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/270835955_Eco-Guilt_Motivates_Eco-Friendly_Behavior
