Snoring is known as a "noisy habit" that can disrupt the sleep of both the person snoring and anyone sharing the bed or bedroom. Nick Shacklock from online-bedrooms.co.uk revealed: "Sleep is a very important part of our lives, so we should all do our best to ensure we get the best possible sleep at night. Unfortunately, those who snore or have partners who snore may feel as though their noisy nights are endless."
While changing your sleeping position is one of the most recommended ways to stop annoying snoring, training yourself to stay in one position once you fall asleep can be challenging. However, according to Shacklock, this is where your pillow can come in handy. He explained: "Sleeping on your back is common when it comes to providing your partner with a quiet night’s sleep. This is because when lying on your back, gravity pushes the tongue towards the throat, obstructing the airway and causing snoring. Training yourself to change your sleeping position can be difficult, but you can start taking steps towards comfortably sleeping on your side. Effective methods include placing a pillow behind you so you cannot roll onto your back, and a pillow between your legs can provide support and comfort in this new side sleeping position."
Your pillow can also be helpful in clearing airways. This is because an elevated head position can facilitate breathing while you sleep. Shacklock recommends drinking more water throughout the day and taking a warm shower before bed. He explained: "Staying hydrated can positively affect your sleep cycle, especially for habitual snorers. Dehydration can cause the mucus in the mouth, throat, and nose to thicken. Drinking plenty of water will thin this out and allow for clearer airways during the night."
It is believed that the steam from a warm shower before bedtime "moisturizes the nasal passages and keeps the airways open," ultimately reducing the risk of snoring.