Right pillow Have you ever thought about how important sleep is for a person? When you sleep, a huge number of important metabolic and biological processes take place in the body. For example, a good and long sleep helps to avoid weight gain, increases concentration, productivity, and performance during the day, accelerates regeneration processes, strengthens the immune system, has a beneficial effect on metabolism, and helps get rid of bad mood.
This list could go on and on for a very long time. And for your sleep to be really strong and long, you need to take care of creating all the conditions for this. And the first thing you should pay special attention to is the pillow. Yes, yes, because comfort and sleep will largely depend on it.
In this article, we will talk about choosing a pillow that is the best fit for you and will help you fall asleep comfortably.
Choosing the Right Pillow for Sleep
Probably, each of us has come across a situation when in the morning after waking up, our neck and head hurt a lot and it felt like we didn’t sleep at all. Or, on the contrary, I slept so comfortably that I had more than enough strength and energy. In many ways, all these sensations depend on the pillow, as it significantly affects the quality of sleep and your overall well-being. Its main task is to keep the head and neck in line with the spine, providing a comfortable position for the whole body. Thus, the occurrence of muscle spasms and pinching of nerve endings is excluded. Take care of your health and well-being in advance – choose a high-quality and most suitable pillow for sleeping. And how to do it right, we will now tell.
Consider Your Sleeping Position
Believe it or not, the position in which you fall asleep also has a direct impact on the choice of pillow. Of course, all of us in a dream can lie either on our side or on our back. But you know what position is the most comfortable for you and in which you fall asleep the fastest. The following guidelines will help you take the first step toward choosing your perfect pillow.
- If you sleep on your back. In this case, it is worth considering a pillow that will properly support the neck and head at a natural angle. Please note that in no case should the head be in an elevated position. The best option is not too hard and not too flat a pillow.
- If you sleep on your side. The peculiarity of this position is that the shoulder takes on an additional load, and this is also not very good. Therefore, it is worth taking a closer look at denser and harder pillows to properly distribute the weight of your body.
- If you sleep on your stomach. This is perhaps the most intense posture for the spinal and cervical regions. Many experts recommend that you still try to try to fall asleep in other positions. But while you fight your habit, the body needs to be supported. Give preference to a softer and non-voluminous pillow.
These recommendations are rather general since one should not forget about the individual preferences of each person.
Choose a pillow depending on the mattress
There is a direct relationship between the pillow and the mattress because together they make sure that you have a comfortable sleep.
If you have a soft mattress, look for a thinner pillow. After all, while sleeping on a soft mattress, the body, one might say, sinks into it, forming a small gap between the head and the mattress itself. For the body position to be correct, you need to slightly raise your head and a small pillow will work best.
A firmer mattress does not allow the body to “sink” much, so a denser pillow is needed here.
Determine the Pillow Shape and Size
Today there are so many different shapes and sizes of pillows that it is very difficult to choose one. Let’s take a closer look at each of them, perhaps this will help you decide.
- Euro pillow. It has a rectangular shape and dimensions of 50×70 cm, and for large double beds, it is better to look at products a little larger – 50×90 cm. This pillow is suitable for absolutely everyone.
- Standard. Many of us still have such pillows, although they are gradually being abandoned, as it is believed that this is not the best option for sleeping. Such products are square, where the width and length are usually 65 cm. They can be convenient for those who like to read in bed, in the absence of a headboard, etc. But more and more such pillows are used as decorative ones.
- Wedge-shaped. At first, the appearance of such pillows may seem rather strange. Triangular and cheese-like products raise a lot of questions, but that is until you find out about their intended purpose. They are usually recommended for people suffering from gastrointestinal problems, with breathing, sleep apnea, as well as snoring and migraines. Wedge-shaped pillows are best suited for sleeping on your back.
- Orthopedic. A pillow of this type can be of any size and shape, contours, as well as sufficient rigidity, which provides support to all parts of the spine. It is suitable for people suffering from neck stiffness and headaches resulting from overexertion of the muscles of the upper body. Also, this option should be chosen for osteochondrosis.
- Anatomical. This pillow adapts to all the curves and contours of the body, keeping the spine in a natural position. It relieves fatigue well, prevents the appearance of muscle strain, and helps to fall asleep with maximum comfort.
- Pillow for pregnant women. Even if this is a temporary solution, it is important to take care of the convenience of the expectant mother. Since doctors recommend that women in positions sleep on their side, bedding manufacturers have not been left out. Such pillows are made taking into account the physique of the fair sex, who are waiting for the crumbs. The appearance of the products resembles a bagel, and the large size allows you to take the most comfortable position. Despite the non-standard solution, such pillows have moderate elasticity, they can be either orthopedic or with a memory effect.
Determine Your Pillow Filling Preference
The filler plays one of the main roles when choosing a pillow since the height and rigidity of the product will depend on it.
- Down and feather pillows. We have all known them since childhood. Such products are voluminous, soft, and quite comfortable. But over time, they may lose their shape, and require replacement or cleaning of feathers and down. Also, do not forget that these pillows are not suitable for allergy sufferers.
- From wool. As a rule, sheep or camel wool is used. But today the most common option is sheep. It is obtained by shearing merino sheep because they have soft and light wool. These pillows are perfect for any season. In winter, wool fibers retain heat, and in summer, due to their low thermal conductivity, the pillow feels cool or neutral. It is worth noting that dust mites will not start in sheep wool bedding, since the material has natural antibacterial properties. But at the same time, do not forget about the possibility of an allergic reaction. The disadvantages include the complexity of care and high cost.
- Microfiber. This is a hypoallergenic material, which is one of the most popular. Pillows filled with microfiber absorb moisture well and dry quickly, retain heat, and do not require special care. The downside is the lack of breathability.
- Sintepon. The first products with artificial fillers were exactly pillows with padding polyester. This material is inexpensive, soft, does not cause allergies, and is easy to care for. The only significant disadvantage is that the product quickly loses its shape and does not properly support the head.
- Latex. This material can be both synthetic and natural (from wood resin). It has good elasticity, holds its shape well, and has a memory effect, but quickly returns to its original shape. Of the minuses: it does not absorb moisture well and is not cheap.
- Memory foam. It is used for the manufacture of orthopedic pillows. Its main task is to maintain the head during sleep in a physiologically correct position. The material is hypoallergenic and hygienic. If we talk about the shortcomings, it can be noted that foam pillows have poor breathability, are quite demanding in care, and are expensive.
- Bamboo. This filler appeared relatively recently and has already managed to take its place of honor among good fillers for pillows. Bamboo is eco-friendly and hypoallergenic. It won’t get mold or mites. The material has sufficient elasticity, hygroscopicity, and breathability, but it does not hold its shape well.
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When choosing a pillow for sleeping, be sure to consider absolutely all the nuances so that the purchase is really useful. In conclusion, I would like to give one more piece of advice: test the pillow before purchasing. In specialized stores, they allow you to lie down on the product to understand whether it suits you or not. After changing the pillow, for the first time, it will be very unusual for you and you may even have thoughts that it would be better not to change it. But in just a few days the body will get used to it, and you will feel a pleasant lightness and cheerfulness after waking up. It’s worth it!
FAQs of right pillow
1. How often should I replace my pillow?
It is recommended to replace your pillow every 1-2 years, depending on its condition.
2. What is the best pillow filling for people with allergies?
Latex pillows are hypoallergenic, making them an excellent option for people with allergies.
3. Can a pillow affect my sleep quality?
Yes, using the wrong pillow can lead to discomfort, pain, and poor sleep quality.
4. How do I know if a pillow is too high or too low for me?
Lie down on the pillow and check if your neck and spine are aligned. If your neck is tilted up or down, the pillow may be too high or low for you.
5. Can the size of the pillow affect my sleep quality?
Yes, using a pillow that is too small or too large can cause discomfort and affect your sleep quality.
