The Origin Story: A Pillow Hugger’s Journey
G’day, fellow pillow huggers! My name is Andrew, and I am the founder of The Hugger Pillow. Let me take you on a little journey into how The Hugger Pillow came to be, and why we believe it’s the best body pillow out there.
Growing up, I never quite understood why I couldn’t sleep without hugging a pillow. It was my nightly ritual, my comfort zone. My mum made me a special pillow that I hugged every night. As I grew older, so did my precious pillow. It started to show its age, and one day, I realised it had become too small for my not-so-small self—and to be honest, it was looking a bit dilapidated after fifteen odd years of usage.
When my trusty companion finally reached the end of its lifespan, I found myself restless and unable to sleep. I tried substituting it with regular pillows, but nothing felt right. Travelling was a nightmare; without my pillow, I was always the last one to fall asleep. Extra pillows in hotels were either too flat or too stiff, and body pillows were a mystery to me. In my search for a replacement, I always used the term "hugger pillow" because that’s what I called it growing up. Little did I know, I was on the brink of discovering the wonderful world of body pillows.
I was a bit on the chubbier side growing up (okay, a lot chubbier), so when I found out about body pillows, I thought maybe it was my belly that was the reason why I needed one to sleep because my initial understanding of body pillows was for pregnant women... haha!
The Pillow That Changed Our Sleep: A Family Affair
Fast forward a bit, and now I’m happily married. My wife never really needed a body pillow until she met me. Seeing me hug my pillow every night piqued her curiosity. One night, she asked if she could try it, and now, she can’t sleep without her own body pillow. It’s quite the sight - two fully grown adults, each with their own body pillow, hugging them like they’re life rafts. We’ve turned into a family of pillow huggers, and I couldn’t be happier!
Discovering the Magic of Body Pillows
It wasn’t until I dove deep into the internet’s abyss that I did a search for... “why do i need to hug a pillow to sleep” It was a revelation! I discovered that body pillows weren’t just for pregnant women, but also for people like me who needed a little extra support and comfort while sleeping. The psychological benefits of hugging a pillow resonated with me profoundly. Studies have shown that hugging a pillow can release oxytocin, the "hug hormone," which helps reduce stress and promote a sense of security. No wonder I couldn’t sleep without one!
As I looked into body pillows, I realised none of them met all my needs. I wanted something big, plush, firm, and cool - because I generate enough heat to warm a small village - it is what it is. I needed a pillow that was sweat-wicking, especially in the Australian climate where hot nights are the norm during summer. And thus, the seed of The Hugger Pillow was planted.
Why We Think Our Body Pillow Is The Best
So, what makes our body pillow the best? It all comes down to the specifics and the love we’ve poured into its creation. It's also because we designed our body pillows people-first - something I learned throughout my career and something important to me, user-focused design!
1. The Perfect Size and Plushness
As someone who’s very particular about my pillows, I wanted to ensure that our body pillow was big and plush. It’s filled with over 2.5 kilograms of polyester fibre filling as standard - the maximum our manufacturers could pump into the pillows. This gives it that perfect balance of firmness and comfort.
2. Cool and Sweat-Wicking
Living in Australia means dealing with hot nights, and I’m naturally sweaty - again, it is what it is. I needed a pillow that could keep me cool and wick away sweat. We worked closely with our manufacturer to develop a cover made from a perfect blend of 50% bamboo and 50% polyester. This combination offers the cooling, sweat-wicking benefits of bamboo and the durability of polyester. It’s like hugging a cool, comforting cloud every night. If you pair up our body pillow with a cover, then the inner pillow will remain practically untouched!
3. Customisable Comfort
We know everyone has different preferences. My wife prefers a less filled pillow, which led us to make the filling accessible. You can adjust the filling to your liking, ensuring a personalised hugging experience.
The Creative Touch: Designs That Mean Something
As a graphic designer, I couldn’t settle for boring, generic pillow covers. I wanted each cover to tell a story and have a personal touch. Here are a few designs that are close to my heart:
The Aquamarine Body Pillow Cover
This cover is adorned with little graphics and icons that represent different aspects of my life. The colour aquamarine is not only one of my favourites but also symbolises tranquillity, calm, and emotional balance. It’s like a visual lullaby, helping you drift off into peaceful slumber.
The Pawsome Pals Body Pillow Cover
This design features graphics of my two beloved dogs, Muntz and Ogre, who are no longer with us but still hold a special place in my heart. I wanted to share the love I have for them with the world. When you hug the Pawsome Pals cover, you’re hugging a piece of my heart and feeling the warmth of Muntz and Ogre’s unconditional, over-the-top love (we all know how dogs are...).
The Benefits of Our Body Pillow: More Than Just Comfort
Our body pillow isn’t just about comfort; it’s about enhancing your overall sleep experience. Here’s why our pillow stands out:
1. Better Sleep Quality
Hugging a body pillow helps improve your sleep quality by providing support and reducing pressure points. It aligns your spine and helps you maintain a comfortable sleeping position, reducing tossing and turning.
2. Stress Relief
As I mentioned earlier, hugging a pillow can release oxytocin, which reduces stress and promotes relaxation. After a long, stressful day, there’s nothing quite like hugging a body pillow and feeling the day’s worries melt away.
3. Versatility
Our body pillow is versatile enough to be used in various ways. Whether you need it for side sleeping, back support, or even as a comfy cushion while lounging, it’s got you covered.
The Journey Continues: Join the Hugger Family
Creating The Hugger Pillow has been a labour of love, and I’m thrilled to share it with you. It’s more than just a pillow; it’s a companion that provides comfort, support, and a sense of security. Whether you’re like me and can’t sleep without hugging a pillow, or you’re new to the world of body pillows, I invite you to become part of the family.
Conclusion: Why We Think Our Body Pillow Is The Best
At The Hugger Pillow, we believe that everyone deserves a good night’s sleep. Our body pillow is designed with love, care, and attention to detail, making it the best choice for anyone looking for comfort and support. From its adjustable filling to its cool, sweat-wicking cover, every aspect of our pillow is tailored to enhance your sleep experience.
So, why do we think our body pillow is the best? Because it’s not just a pillow - it’s a hug, a comfort, an experience, and a piece of home. It’s a product born from a lifetime of needing a little extra comfort and sharing that comfort with the world. Give it a try and see for yourself why hugging a body pillow can make all the difference in your sleep. Once you try it, you won't be able to sleep without it.
References
- Heinrichs, M., Baumgartner, T., Kirschbaum, C., & Ehlert, U. (2003). Social support and oxytocin interact to suppress cortisol and subjective responses to psychosocial stress. Psychosomatic Medicine, 65(6), 872-880.
- Mindell, J. A., Telofski, L. S., Wiegand, B., & Kurtz, E. S. (2015). A nightly bedtime routine: Impact on sleep in young children and maternal mood. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 29, 1-2.
- Champagne, T., Mullen, B., Dickson, D., & Krishnamurty, S. (2015). Evaluating the safety and effectiveness of the weighted blanket with adults during an inpatient mental health hospitalization. Journal of Sleep Medicine & Disorders, 2(3), 1022.