What Is Sleep Deprivation, and When Is It a Problem?
Sleep deprivation means regularly getting less sleep than your body needs, so you feel tired, foggy or irritable during the day. A few short nights are common and usually pass. Weeks of poor sleep, or sleep that never feels restful, are worth discussing with your physician.
Key takeaways
- Sleep deprivation is the gap between the sleep you need and the sleep you get. That need differs from person to person.
- A pillow does not treat sleep deprivation or a sleep disorder. A poor fit can be one of several things that make a night more uncomfortable.
- Ongoing daytime sleepiness, loud snoring or pauses in breathing call for a visit to your own physician, not a new pillow.
What counts as sleep deprivation?
There are two kinds. Acute sleep deprivation follows a short stretch of too little sleep, such as a late deadline or a newborn in the house. Chronic sleep deprivation builds up when short sleep continues for weeks or months.
Quality matters as well as quantity. You can spend enough hours in bed and still be sleep deprived if your sleep is broken up again and again.
What are the signs?
- Daytime sleepiness, especially in quiet moments
- Trouble concentrating or remembering things
- Irritability or low mood (see sleep loss and mood)
- Slower reactions, which makes drowsy driving a real risk
- More aches, or pain that feels worse (see poor sleep and neck and back pain)
What causes it?
Common causes are a late or irregular schedule, stress, and substances close to bedtime. We cover two of those in caffeine and sleep and alcohol and sleep. Night work is another; see shift work, sleep and pain. Medical conditions such as sleep apnea can also be behind it, and only a physician can sort that out.
Can a pillow help with sleep deprivation?
Not on its own. A pillow cannot fix a late bedtime, stress or a sleep disorder. But if you wake with a stiff neck or keep shifting to get comfortable, pillow height may be one factor worth checking. If you suspect that, read how to tell if your pillow is the wrong height. For habits that support sleep, see our tips for a better sleep.
How does Pillowise approach pillow fit?
A pillow should fit the body, like a shoe size. A provider takes three measurements: shoulder width, neck circumference and neck height. We add your sleeping position and mattress firmness, and the Pillowise algorithm picks one of 7 sizes. Our pillows are an adjunct to care, not a treatment. If the fit is not right, you can exchange or return the pillow within 30 days of purchase, after giving it 7 to 10 days to adjust.
Find a provider near you
Pillowise is sold through licensed chiropractors, physical therapists and massage therapists. The measurement is free at every provider. Find a provider near you and book your free measurement.
Providers: you can offer fitted pillows without holding inventory. Learn how to become a reseller.
Thijs van der Hilst, physiotherapist
Co-founder of Pillowise
