Airline Precautions with Comfort Travel Items

There’s no doubt that airline security is on the rise. It’s a good but necessary change, in order to keep everyone safe. On that quest, however, we also put ourselves through some serious scrutiny, like body scans, metal detectors, and more. Again, a necessary part of this safety process, even if it isn’t particularly fun. 

In order to make security checkpoints faster and easier for all involved, it’s first important to know flight regulations. How they change and what’s specific to your next destination. (Overseas is most difficult as this is hardest to get information for, and it can be more difficult to communicate when dealing with various native languages.)

This also might mean bringing on paperwork for all of your travel products, including pillows and seat cushions. This was brought to our attention when a long-term user of Contour items said she uses this trick, after having difficulties in a French airport with a support piece that sat in a pillow’s interior. Especially for items that can’t be opened or dissected for inspection. With its description, travelers can express the pillows’ make up to get on their plane in a far quicker fashion. 

Next, look up to ensure that you can bring on various travel items as a carry-on. You don’t want to be charged extra just because an airline’s rules were difficult to understand. (Almost all airlines offer unpaid carry-ons, but might count a purse or diaper bag as a separate item.)

Finally, determine which items you most need to make for an easy, comfortable flight. Based on the size of plane or length of flight, you might be more in need of neck support, seat cushion, or even a combo model that offers all of the above in a single combinable device.  

Continue Reading

Customer Reviews Say it Best! Check Out the Twist Neck Pillow

Traveling? Staying in? No matter your destination, nothing quite says “comfort on the go” like our Twist Neck Pillow. All it takes is a few maneuvers and you can be on your way to sitting in any position without losing neck support. And without having to crane and adjust the body in order to get it. (You know the pain of twisting and adjusting the body until you get settled just so.)

But not only is this little guy convenient, it’s portable, and incredibly comfortable. Don’t take our word for it though – take its continued sales patterns. As well as reviews from actual Twist Pillow users.

“This is my 2nd twist pillow. I bought the 1st over 12 years ago. I can twist one end up when seated so my head is supported while I sleep flying over the Atlantic. I am able to use it in a hotel as a CPAP pillow when I use my machine,” January 2015 

“I use it at home to stretch my neck. Perfect size and resilience.” July 2014 

“Bought one in 1997 & found I could turn up one end to rest my head while I sleep. Am a CPAP user. It is great to sleep on as the pillow does not interfere with the mask. It goes with me on all travels now.” July 2014 

“I saw one of these pillows while on a long flight oversees and continued to look for one of my own for two years. I finally found one at a small drug store and bought the last one they had. Once I knew who made it, I looked them up on their web page and discovered the full line of amazing products. After reviewing all the products, I still decided to go with more of the same thing because it is so versatile. Am enjoying the pillow very much and have decided to purchase extras as gifts.” July 2014 

“Fell asleep in front of the TV again. This really helps!” May 2013 

“This product is great. I take it everywhere with me. I have several bulging disks in my neck plus fibromyalgia and this pillow gives the perfect support no matter if I am laying down reading, in the car, or watching TV on the sofa.” May 2013

Continue Reading

Tips for Giving an at-home Massage

When is the last time you treated yourself to a massage? A deep, or even quick one to help induce relaxation and melt away the day’s stress? Even though they host so many perks, it’s a habit that few stick with on a regular basis. Whether they’re heading to the salon or having their significant other perform them at home.

The fact is, however, the latter is far more budget (and schedule) friendlier. And easier to do than you might think. 

To give a great massage at home, without the training, follow these simple tips.

Angle matters. Have your significant other lie on the bed or couch while you stand. If there’s not enough room between you, you won’t be able to reach or apply necessary pressure. 

Next, communicate. Ask your partner to tell you when to give more pressure, what feels best, and so on. It’s likely you can watch them sink deeper into a relaxed state when you hit the right stress-release spot. But ask to make sure, especially through the first few massages. (And if they don’t want to hear it during, take a few minutes after to hash it out.)

Apply even pressure. Might seem easy, but pay attention to what your hands are doing at all times. It’s a skill that will get easier with time and allow you to earn a feel for the craft.

Don’t skimp. Massage evenly throughout the body. Whether your main focus is the neck, back, or a sore leg – be sure to hit all muscles and tendons in that area. (Don’t worry, if something hurts or tickles, they’ll tell you.)

Set a timer. When giving the massage, it’s always easier to make it shorter than the muscles need. (And when getting, you want it to last longer.) Set a timer to ensure you’re spending the proper amount of time on each section, and are best approaching the healing/relaxation process. 

Continue Reading

Changing Weather Patterns and your Sleep Habits

The outside temperature has always had an effect on just how well we’re able to sleep. That’s a pattern that’s always been true. Winter and early nights generally bring on deep bouts of sleep. While hot, sticky days can make rest hard to obtain. Eventually we become used to the weather, even if it does take a few weeks to do so. But when it’s constantly sling-shotting back and forth, it’s even harder to prep for bed. Knowing what layers of clothing to wear, how cool to set the thermostat, whether or not you should turn on a fan, and so on.

These unpredictable weather patterns are especially common in the Midwest. Where weather can fluctuate drastically, even within a single day. Just because it was hot that day, doesn’t mean it will be hot that night, and so on. 

However, such large variations in weather can also affect how you sleep. How well, at what time, clothing choice, thickness of sheets, and so on. Leaving you to either go on a whim each night, or to be constantly checking the weather – and even then, the body can make adjustments we don’t even know about. 

To regulate yourself, even when the climate has a mind of its own, consider taking charge of the few factors you can control. First off, stick to your routine. If you generally shower before bed, continue to do so at the same time each night – even if it stays light later into the evening. You should also continue lying down to sleep at your same time, even if that means reading or watching TV first. 

Account for temperature changes with the thermostat, or by wearing thicker or thinner PJs each night. A bedroom fan can also make a world of difference.

To avoid losing sleep, even through drastic changes, remember these simple constants to help improve everyday routine. 

Continue Reading

Tips for Moving Without Risking your Health

If you’re like most people moving homes, chances are you have a lot of belongings. Rooms full of items and necessities – years of accumulation filling up your entire home. Which is great for whenever you need something obscure; you might even pat yourself on the back for having held onto this or that. But when it comes time to move, you’re not nearly as excited about that random object you found from 10 years back. Instead, you’re ready to downsize and clean out.

Whether or not you actually get rid of items is up to you. However, when it comes to the moving part, there’s plenty of work to be done. Most of which is heavy, unpleasant, and downright time consuming. You can even cause injuries when lifting too much weight, or without giving muscles the proper time to recuperate. 

Relocating in a Back-Friendly Manner

To avoid injury, especially for those who generally don’t lift, remember a few simple rules.

First, pack it light. If you have a large book collection, consider filling boxes that are half full of books, half sweatshirts. Or towels, or yarn, or stuffed animals – whatever it is that will help even out the weight. The same can be done with other heavy items, like dishes or glassware. Desks and dressers can have their drawers removed (or at the very least, emptied).

Next, lift it right. With the legs, not the back. Don’t pick up anything that’s too heavy for you – have someone else do it instead. Or enlist the help of a dolly for safe movement. 

Finally, hire it done. Whether that be with a moving company, or offering up the neighborhood boys free dinner for loading or unloading a truck, it can save you some serious grief later on. 

Avoid ill-advised behavior when moving for a smooth transition that won’t cause injury. 

Continue Reading

Are These Symptoms Causing your Insomnia?

So you can’t sleep – a terrible punishment for anyone. Especially those who can’t sleep on the norm. It’s not an every once an awhile thing. Tossing and turning is their every night, leading to unrested days and cloudy or irritable behavior. Over time, it’s a condition that’s known as insomnia. 

But did you know there are a number of different causes for this unwelcome trait? Medical and outside factor alike, these symptoms band together – a process that keeps you awake through all hours of the night. 

Medical Conditions That Cause Insomnia

• Back pain
• Chronic headaches
• Seasonal allergies
• Nasal congestion or inflammation
• Arthritis
• Asthma
• Gastrointestinal issues or pains
• Acid reflux and/or GERD
• Recent surgery or long-standing pains
• Twitching or neurological issues that keep you from lying still

Non-medical causes can also cause similar insomnia patterns, such as anxiety, stress, or simply psyching yourself out. The more you think about how much sleep you’re not getting, the less amount of sleep you’re able to actually get. Caffeine is known to keep folks up, while a heavy meal too close to bed time can keep the digestive system working on overdrive, a fact that makes it difficult to rest. 

Determining which of these factors is causing you to stay awake, however, is the best way to cure them once and for all. Or to create the most viable plan for getting better sleep. Naturally, and without the need for narcotics or drugs that come with side effects. 

If you’re suffering from the inability to sleep, talk to your doctor or ask to be referred to a sleep specialist. With a few questions and/or tests, they can help narrow down what’s keeping you up. But more importantly, they can help you fix the problem once and for all. 

Be sure and check back in for even more sleep-related news.  

Continue Reading

Celebrate Mother’s Day with free shipping!

Mother’s Day is just a few days out – which means it’s the perfect time to take advantage of our holiday sale. Spend $40 (on Mom, or on you) and get free shipping! That’s $10 less than our regular offer. While still coming with our everyday Comfort 30-Day Guarantee, giving Mom 30 days to test out all your latest shopping gear. 

This sale is not only practical, it’s also the perfect way to show Mom just how much you care – by giving her the gift of comfort.

There’s even plenty of ways to say thanks. Get her a new pillow so she can have better neck support while sleeping. Grab a seat cushion to help her back while she’s at work (perfect for the Mom who works in an office). Stock up on a neck pillow for all her travels. Or go all out and get her a wedge system, such as the Flip Pillow or BackMax, to give her a versatile way to get cozy and to eliminate pain. 

And with free shipping, it’s the perfect time to buy. Get a gift for Mom, Grandma, Aunts, Mother-in-laws, and more. Contour Living products are great for any mother in your life – even moms-to-be! (Check out our previous blog for a low down on all our favorite pregnancy comfort products.)

While you’re at it, you can even stock up on a gift for yourself. Just because you can! The savings are simply too good to pass up, no matter who’s on the shopping list. 

To take advantage of this deal, enter the code word MOTHER at checkout. It’s good until May 15, so you can save, even if you’re shopping a few days behind schedule. 

Start shopping today or to take a look at Contour’s selection, here. 

Continue Reading

Products to ease your pregnancy growing pains

Growing another person is no easy business. It’s nine full months of eating, prepping, and planning for a brand new human to come into the world. And oftentimes that means being uncomfortable – no matter how comfortable you try and become. With the excess weight (especially when it’s unbalanced), boating, constant sickness, and any other discomfort of being pregnant, it’s simply hard to ease the body into the resting state that you so hard want to achieve. 

Whether you’re experiencing actual pains or just frustrations, there are plenty of products designed just for you. And available just in time for Mother’s Day! (Or rather, Mother-to-be Day.)

Pillows, such as the Flip Pillow and L Pillow offer great relief. Adjust and turn as needed in order to rotate support and place cushioning right where you need it most. While the Back Wedge will help ease spinal pressure – perfect for reading in bed or relaxing and watching TV. 

When sitting, the Kabooti Cushion will displace weight, and ease pain off of the tailbone, which can become more severe with pregnancy. 

And, for extreme cases – which is to say toward the end of your pregnancy – enlist the help of the BackMax Plus. A full body pain relief solution. Rearrange in order to reduce pressure, add comfort, or simply give the back a break. It also comes in a smaller version, the MiniMax, for a more portable or affordable version. 

Finally, to-be moms can gain leg and back relief with the Leg Pillow and the Double Back. Each of which is placed between the legs to provide alignment. While sleeping, or just when resting throughout the day. 

Being pregnant can be rough, especially when trying to sleep. Treat yourself this Mother’s Day (or any day) and get some much needed help from our Contour faves. 

Continue Reading