Did our ancestors always sleep with an arm under their head? Why do we need to elevate our heads to sleep?
Why does the pillow being soft matter?
In: Biology
Our closest relatives, chimpanzees, build “nests” out of vegetation to sleep in and we have archaeological evidence of humans building soft beds for many thousands of years into prehistory. Our preference for soft bedding predates our split from the apes, mammals will find comfortable, sheltered sites to bed down in. Soft pillows and bedding lead to a better night’s rest, which is a survival advantage. If you’ve ever camped out, you know that laying on a tiny rock or stick is maddening. As to why we support our necks, I would say it’s to prevent getting a crick in it.
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