There are many external factors that contribute to the quality of your sleep each night: the mattress, the temperature of the room, the position you assume and even the pillow. The latter should be chosen based on your sleep habits, so it is important to make an informed purchase to wake up fresh and rested every morning.
Steps
Step 1. Choose your pillow based on your usual sleeping position
- Side sleepers need a pillow that supports their neck and head.
- If you sleep on your back, a medium-hard pillow will help that cushion the weight of your head.
- The soft pillows are suitable for those who sleep prone.
Step 2. Consider using a down pillow
- This type of pillow is filled with the innermost plumage of the goose or duck and can be customized with more or less padding. Those that are stiffer and offer more support are suitable for those who sleep on their side, while the softer ones are suitable for those who sleep prone or supine.
- Feather pillows adapt to the shape of the head, shoulders and neck.
- They last up to 10 years and are elastic and breathable because they are made of natural material.
Step 3. Try latex pillows if you want more neck and head support
They are made with the sap of the rubber tree and are elastic and resistant.
- These pillows are resistant to bacteria and dust mites and are a great choice if you suffer from allergies.
- Latex pillows come in many sizes and shapes. The consistency varies depending on whether solid core cores or shredded material have been used.
Step 4. Buy a shape memory foam pillow if you have problems related to your sleeping position (such as tension in the neck or jaw) as this type of pillow molds itself around the shape of the body based on the movements during the sleep
- High-density ones are better as they are less yielding.
- Remember that this material may heat up because it is not "breathable." A new shape memory foam cushion tends to have an unpleasant odor that disappears within a few days of use.
- The cheek pads in this material are available in all sizes and shapes including the special "S" one.
Step 5. Choose your pillow based on how you "feel" rather than cost
Lean against a wall, in the position you usually sleep in, and place the pillow against the wall. If the pillow you are trying on seems to fit your body, your neck and spine should be aligned.
Step 6. Be very careful when purchasing a pillow for a specific purpose such as anti-snoring or cooling ones
They may or may not help you and most of the time they are expensive products. Check the reviews and do some research to support your purchase. Also, before buying, ask the shopkeeper if there is a "money back guarantee".
Advice
- Wash your pillow regularly according to the manufacturer's instructions or use a protective pillowcase to extend its life. Foam pillows cannot be washed but a protective pillowcase will keep them clean.
- Replace the pillow when it breaks or no longer retains its original shape. Fold it in half lengthwise and hold it for 30 seconds. If it doesn't regain its normal shape as soon as you release it, you need a new pillow.
