The humble pillow is often overlooked bedding that may influence your sleep quality. It supports proper posture and prevents discomfort, ensuring a good night’s sleep.
On the other hand, choosing the wrong pillow can lead to poor quality sleep, back pain, and allergic reactions.
Why do you need the right pillow
Neck and spine alignment
One of the main reasons to invest in a good pillow is to support your head, neck, and shoulders. This helps keep your spine aligned, which can help prevent neck and back pain.
Proper spine alignment also helps with your overall body posture.
Improved comfort and sleep quality
Most of us have experienced a night where we tossed and turned all night because we couldn’t find the right spot on our pillow. A good pillow can help you have a deep and restful sleep, allowing mental and physical rejuvenation.
Pressure point relief
Quality pillows are designed to distribute pressure evenly and offer optimal support. This helps reduce discomfort and stiffness in sleep and when you wake up.
A pillow that relieves pressure points can be a godsend for people susceptible to pressure sores or arthritis.
Allergen prevention
Pillows that harbor dust may be a haven for dust mites. Dust mites aren’t harmful to humans, but their droppings may aggravate respiratory issues and allergies. So investing in hypoallergenic pillows can help prevent allergic reactions, allowing better sleep.
How to select the best pillow
Sleeping position
Do you sleep on your back, side, or stomach? Your sleeping position is a critical factor in determining the type of pillow you should choose.
Stomach sleepers
Use very thin, soft pillows if you often sleep on your stomach. They allow your neck to be neutral and aligned with your spine. In short, you shouldn’t feel like you are craning your neck to watch a movie from the first row of a theater.
Side sleepers
Most people fall into this category: either sleeping straight or in the fetal position. Experts recommend pillows with a more significant amount of support for side sleepers. The pillows should be firmer (moderate to heavy firmness) and longer.
Also, it’s recommended to go for pillows that will be 4 to 6 inches in height to ensure that your head aligns with your spine.
Back sleepers
Like stomach sleepers, back sleepers need a pillow that doesn’t push their heads too far forward. So go for thin, soft pillows that will support the natural curvature of your neck.
Filler material
The filler material in your pillow can be instrumental, especially if you have allergies or are sensitive to specific materials. Some common materials include memory foam, feathers, latex, buckwheat, or synthetic fills.
For instance, feather pillows may not be for everyone, so choose polyester or polyurethane pillows.
Pillow size
Pillow size is the amount of space your pillow takes on your bed. On the other hand, pillow loft refers to the thickness of your pillow. Both these factors matter, so it’s essential to ensure your pillow fits your bed dimensions and body size.
Concerning body type, larger body sizes may do well with firmer and thicker pillows. However, if you are petite, this type of pillow may be uncomfortable, even if you are a side sleeper.
Allergen resistance
People with allergies and respiratory problems should consider hypoallergenic pillows. For example, polyester pillows — the most common type — are more likely to harbor dust mites than other non-synthetic types. So avoid these types and find pillows designed to resist common allergens.
Durability
Typically, cheaper pillows lose their shape and support relatively fast. So choose a pillow that will maintain its support for longer.
Remember, experts recommend replacing your pillow every 18 months. You should also replace your pillow if you notice stains, foul odor, loss of shape, and physical wear and tear. Old pillows should always be replaced because they collect dead skins and dust mites.
Personal preferences
Ultimately, buying a pillow that fits your preferences and personal comfort would be best. Feel free to test the new pillow when shopping to see if it’s the perfect match.
Takeaway
Besides your mattress and bedding, your pillow is crucial for quality sleep and overall well-being. By understanding the importance of proper neck and spine alignment and the potential downsides of choosing the wrong pillow, you can make informed decisions for a better night’s sleep.
