There are plenty of simple, natural methods to help minimize snoring. Losing weight, limiting night-time alcohol intake, and staying well-hydrated are all good places to start. Most people are inclined to snore more when sleeping flat on their backs, so finding a good comfortable side-sleeping position “cures” most mild snorers. Anti-snore pillows are designed to promote a better position that minimizes or eliminates snoring. The best way to do that is to keep the head and shoulders aligned which keeps the airway as open as possible.
For many people, especially back sleepers who just can’t sleep any other way, a wedge pillow made of high-density or memory foam is the best solution. These ensure that the head and shoulders are raised together in a natural position that opens the airway without misaligning the neck and spine. According to Raj Dasgupta, an assistant professor specializing in sleep medicine at the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine, “You’re opening the airway up slightly—and even that can have a really dramatic effect on snoring.” Another great benefit of wedge pillows is that they can help reduce acid reflux which is also common in people with sleep apnea.
Body pillows can be a great alternative too. By placing one firmly along your spine, these pillows are designed to keep you from turning onto your back at night. The method isn’t foolproof, however, so determined back sleepers are likely to roll on their backs anyway.
That underscores the fact that it’s impossible for anyone else to pick the best pillow—especially the best anti-snoring pillow—for you. “Pillows, like people, are very individualized, and picking the right pillow is very subjective,” says Dasgupta. The only way to know for sure is to take advantage of most manufacturers’ free trials, test a few models out, and see which works best for you.
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