Why A Good Pillow Matters As Much As Your Mattress.
Aside from your mattress, a pillow is the most important bedding item since it supports your head and neck and promotes proper body alignment while sleeping. At the end of the day, your pillow has one job: to give you a great night’s sleep. If you’ve been waking up with a sore neck and shoulders, it might be time to replace your pillows. Consider your sleeping position, desired pillow firmness, pillow size, and filling type to help you buy the right pillow for maximum comfort.
1. Consider Your Sleeping Position
Your sleeping position says a lot about the kind of pillow you need. If you sleep on your back, you need a different type of support than someone who sleeps on their side. Neck or back problems will also determine the type of support you need. The right pillow for your sleeping position can help relieve neck and back discomfort.
Back Sleeper
If you sleep on your back, your head and neck need minimal support. A pillow that’s too dense might push your head too far forward and possibly overextend your neck. Opt for a low- or medium-density pillow or a contour pillow that supports the neck while keeping the body aligned.
Side Sleeper
Side sleepers need extra support to keep the neck and head aligned with the body. Improper support for side sleepers can also result in shoulder pain. A medium density pillow supports the neck and takes strain off the shoulder without overextending the neck sideways.
Stomach Sleeper
A soft, low-density pillow is ideal for stomach sleepers because it’s easy to arrange and keeps the neck from being overextended sideways. Because stomach sleepers lay flat but turn their heads to the side, soft and low-density pillows provide support and take strain off the neck while keeping the body aligned.
2. Next, Decide On Pillow Filling
Time to think about what the pillow is filled with. Whether you want a fluffy pillow or a flat pillow, each type of pillow fill will have different characteristics that are important to know before purchasing. While some pillows are entirely machine washable, some styles have only a machine washable cover or cannot be cleaned whatsoever. Typically, down and down alternative pillows are machine washable, but some will require using a front loading commercial sized machine. To avoid any surprises, always check the care label before purchasin
Memory Foam
Memory foam is a type of firm, moldable foam originally developed by NASA. It was initially created for space travel safety and has since become a household favorite in pillows, mattresses, and other cushions. Memory foam molds very precisely to the body, giving custom support to relieve pressure points. Side sleepers benefit the most from memory foam pillows since the material easily adapts to provide the right level of support.Shop Memory Foam Pillows
Down
Plush and luxurious, down filling is what’s on everyone’s mind when they think of a comfy pillow. Down filling is made from the soft, fine down feathers of ducks and geese, which are moldable with plenty of give, allowing your head and neck to sink right into the pillow. Down-alternative pillow filling feels just like down and is a hypoallergenic and cost-friendly way to have the same feel of real down.
Polyester
Polyester filling is the most common and inexpensive type of pillow filling, making polyester pillows easy to replace. While polyester pillows are plush and hold their shape longer than cotton pillows, they become lumpy and less supportive over time, requiring more frequent replacement.
Cotton
Cotton pillow filling is hypoallergenic, breathable, cool, and easy to care for. However, cotton filling flattens out over time, which means it must be replaced regularly.Shop Cotton Pillows
3. About Pillow Firmness
There are four levels of pillow firmness: soft, medium soft, firm, and very firm. The softest pillow with the most give is a feather pillow, which is flexible and collapsible enough to suit most sleeping styles. The firmest pillow is memory foam, a heavy and moldable option ideal for neck and shoulder support.
