Beddings and Sleep | How to Pick the Right Pillow

 

The wrong kind of pillow can wake you up multiple times at night from your sleep. 

Okay, let’s start from square one.

At the end of the day, your pillow’s most important job is to support you in your go-to sleeping position, all night long.

And when I say, “support,” I don’t just mean that it feels soft and cozy,

it should also make you feel excited every night when it’s time to go to bed.

 

Where you lay your head at night can affect not only how well you sleep,

but how rested you feel when you wake up.

Here's what to consider when shopping for your next pillow.

 

 

Pro Tip 1: Which position do you usually sleep in?

 

Here are the four main sleeping positions and the best pillow types to suit them:

 

Stomach sleeper – If you lie flat on your tummy with your head to one side,

you should look for a flat, soft pillow or even use no pillow at all.

This is because you’ll need to keep your neck aligned with your spine in order to avoid neck pain

and posture problems from straining your neck throughout the night. 

 

Back sleeper – If you like to sleep on your back, you should lookout

for a pillow of medium thickness and firmness.

If your pillow is too thick, your head will be pushed forward at an uncomfortable angle

and you will wake up with sores in the morning 

 

Side sleeper – If you’re a side sleeper, you’ll need a pillow

that is both thick and firm in order to support your neck

and keep it aligned properly with the spine.

 

 

Pro Tip 2: Which filling should you choose?

 

This all depends on your personal preference and allergies.

Here are the two main types of pillow fillings and their attributes:

 

Memory foam pillows – If you suffer from neck or shoulder pain, memory foam pillows

can be very helpful in keeping you comfortable and providing firm support for your neck.

 

Wool or cotton pillows – Wool pillows do tend to be rather thick and firm suitable for Side sleepers

 

 

Pro Tip 3: How to Protect Your Pillows?

 

Once you’ve found your ideal pillow thickness, firmness, and filling,

you’ll want to keep your pillows well protected.

To keep them clean and in tip-top condition,

you should use pillow casings which will help shield your pillows from

sweat, body oils, hair products, and saliva.

 

 

Pro Tip 4: How Often to Replace Your Pillows?

 

Not all types of pillows have the same life span,

and once they start to sag they will no longer provide the support you need,

or the same level of comfort.

A general rule of thumb is to replace your pillows once every 1-2 years.

A trick is to simply place the pillow over your arm.

If it stays rigid and holds its shape, it’s still in perfectly good nick.

If, however, it sags over your arm, it might be time to replace it.