Pillow Talk
For a great night’s sleep
Reading Time: 3 minutesThere are numerous options when it comes to pillows with many vendors promising the perfect pillow and sleeping experience. The reason for the vast number of pillow options is that we all have their our own preferences as to how to sleep and what kind of pillow we like.
What is the ideal pillow?
The quick answer for this question is that the ideal pillow is the one that feels best for you. Some of us like to sleep on our sides while others are front or back sleepers. The ideal pillow should feel good in the position that you like to sleep in while at the same time allowing your neck to be in as neutral a position as possible. If you are a side sleeper the pillow should allow your head to be in a neutral position in relationship to your body; that is, your neck should not be bent in order to accommodate the pillow. If you are a back and front sleeper the same rule applies in that your neck and head should be in alignment with your body. If your neck and head are not in alignment with your body no matter what sleeping position you prefer, this can lead to neck pain after a night’s sleep.
How hard or soft should a pillow be?
This is a very personal preference with no hard rule except to say pick a pillow that feels comfortable as long as the pillow is firm enough keep your neck and spine in neutral position. Some love a firm pillow while others love a soft feel. Pillows are made from many different types of materials; foam, down (the back, chest and wing feathers of ducks and geese) and fibers -natural or synthetic fibers such as polyester micro-fibers. Some pillows like the Layla Kapok pillow allow for firmness adjustments by be able to remove some the material; other pillows such as the EasySleeper pillow have special shapes contoured for side or back sleepers.
How often should you change your pillow?
Most pillows lose their structure slowly over time and so a pillow that starts firm will gradually lose its feel and support over time. Therefore, a pillow that starts out being the perfect feel and firmness will become less perfect over time with use. A rough whole of thumb is to change your pillow every 6 months especially if it has become flat or start to become flat.
Where to buy the right pillow?
Like everything we purchase, buying a pillow is no different in that you should do your research before buying. There are many sites now devoted to helping you get a good night’s sleep by providing information about pillows and mattresses. Exploring those sites is a great first start since they are usually very informative and often have discount coupons to be used when buying a pillow. Another great way to find the pillow of your choice is to purchase one from your favorite hotel whose bedding you have experienced and liked. Many hotels such as like Marriott, the W and the Four Seasons offer their bedding for sale.
