Is Your Pillow Making You Look Older? (Small Habits, Big Difference #2)

Small Habits…Big Difference! Habit #2

What if something you've been doing every night for the last 40 or 50 years has been leaving its mark on your face?

And I'm not talking about staying up too late watching television!

I've been reading The Eternal Norse by Astrid and Erik Halvorsen, and I'm sharing some of the interesting ideas about everyday habits that might be worth changing as we get older.

Last time, we talked about drinking a glass of water before that first cup of morning coffee.

Well…here's Habit #2.

The way you sleep may be affecting how your skin ages!

Think about this for a minute.

You crawl into bed after a long day, pull up the covers, turn onto your favorite side, and settle your face into that comfortable pillow.

Ahhh…life is good!

But what happens to your skin while you're sleeping?

When your face is pressed against a pillow, your skin gets pushed, stretched, and folded.

Now, doing that once or twice isn't a big deal.

But what about doing it night after night…year after year…for decades?

Those temporary creases you sometimes notice in the bathroom mirror in the morning can become more noticeable as your skin gets older and loses some of its elasticity.

Researchers actually have a name for them.

Sleep wrinkles!

I always figured my wrinkles came from getting older, working outside on the farm, and maybe worrying about whether the crops would make it through another season.

Now I find out my PILLOW might be helping! 😂

When we're younger, our skin has more elasticity. It tends to bounce back more readily after being compressed.

But as we age, our skin gradually loses collagen and elasticity.

That means the little creases caused by sleeping with our faces pressed against a pillow may not disappear as quickly.

Over many years, repeated pressure can contribute to lasting lines.

Of course, sleeping position isn't the only factor. Genetics, sun exposure, and normal aging all play a role.

And here's something interesting…

We might be able to change one of those factors without spending much money at all!

There are two simple things worth trying.

Sleeping on your back keeps your face from being pressed into your pillow for hours at a time.

Now, I know what some of you are thinking.

"Bill, I've slept on my side my entire life. You're not going to change that now!"

Fair enough!

Changing a habit you've developed over 50 or 60 years isn't always easy.

And if sleeping on your back causes snoring, worsens sleep apnea, or makes you uncomfortable, don't force it. Getting good, restful sleep is more important than preventing a few wrinkles.

If you're a dedicated side sleeper, consider replacing that cotton pillowcase with one made of silk.

Silk has a smooth surface that can reduce friction against your skin.

It's not a magic wrinkle eraser, and research hasn't established that silk pillowcases prevent wrinkles. But they may be a gentler alternative.

And you don't have to change the way you sleep!

I spent much of my life farming, and I learned something along the way.

Little things, repeated often enough, can produce some pretty big results.

Watering at the right time.

Maintaining equipment before it breaks down.

Paying attention to the small details before they become expensive problems.

Taking care of our bodies isn't all that different.

We don't always need to make some enormous change.

Sometimes it's the little adjustments that are worth making.

Small habits…big difference!

At my age, I'm not interested in pretending I'm 25.

I've earned every gray hair, every wrinkle, and probably a few of the extra pounds too!

Those lines on our faces tell stories.

Stories about years of hard work, raising families, laughing with friends, overcoming difficulties, and living life.

I wouldn't trade those experiences for a wrinkle-free face.

But that doesn't mean I don't want to take better care of myself.

I want to stay active, stay healthy, enjoy my family, travel, and keep learning new things for as long as the good Lord allows.

That's one reason I've become interested in health and wellness and why I'm involved with Zilara, a company offering wellness products in forms such as liquids, powders, tinctures, and teas.

I'm not looking for miracles or overnight transformations.

I'm interested in learning about practical ways to support our health as we get older…and sharing what I discover.

If you're curious about Zilara, you can explore it through a free 72-hour tour:

https://zilaratour.com/bill

No pressure. Just take a look and decide for yourself. (I earn a commission if you join through my link; your price doesn't change.)

Tonight, when you crawl into bed, pay attention to how you sleep.

Are you a back sleeper?

A side sleeper?

Or one of those people who ends up face-down in the pillow with the covers somewhere on the floor? 😂

Maybe try sleeping on your back if it's comfortable and appropriate for you.

Or give a silk pillowcase a try.

One little change.

One little habit.

And who knows? Maybe your face will thank you!

Now, I have a question for you…

👉 Do you sleep on your BACK, your SIDE, or your STOMACH?

Leave a comment. I'd love to hear from you!

Until next time, keep learning, keep taking care of yourself, and…

Just keep moving forward!

Bill Feaver

Small Habits…Big Difference! A series about simple changes that may help us live healthier, more active lives as we age.