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How To Choose The Right Pillow For Your Sleep

man sleeping on pillow
May 30, 2021 562 view(s)

How To Choose The Right Pillow For Your Sleep

There are numerous factors that make up a decent night's rest: your mattress, environment, temperature, and light. But have you at any point thought about your pillow? Having the perfect pillow can be a game-changer for many people when it comes to getting a good night’s rest.

Do you ever get up in the morning with a crimp in your neck? We've been there, as well. Achieving a proper resting stance while you are asleep will cause you to sleep better and can even go as far as reducing and eliminating symptoms of back and/ or neck pain.

The right pillow will help keep your spine in the correct alignment while you sleep (a.k.a. help with your resting stance), paying little mind to your favored dozing position. With a good pillow that can support a proper sleeping stance, your neck, shoulders, back, and hips will get the support they need so you can get that rest you always wanted.

How You Sleep Matters!

Girl sleeping in a curled position with a orange pillow

While choosing your pillow can often dependent on things like comfort and softness, finding the correct one depends more on the resting position which you adopted over the years. Depending on if you are a back sleeper, side sleeper, or stomach sleeper, your sleeping position will ultimately decide the measure of help in which you need when selecting your pillow.

Back Sleepers

For back sleepers, your pillow should bolster your neck and head. Keep in mind, you need both your spine and neck to remain adjusted while you rest, so back sleepers most likely need a medium-thick pillow—something that is not very full, yet not very level.

Side Sleepers

In case you're a side sleeper, your cushion should bolster your head in a more level position in order to keep it lined up with your spine. Since your shoulder takes the majority of the weight when you rest on your side, you may need a firmer cushion to give your neck the support it needs while dropping a portion of the weight from your shoulder.

Stomach Sleepers

Resting on your stomach is the most distressing situation for your back and neck. We realize that you have limited movement of the head when laying on your stomach, so you'll need a cushion that is gentler and somewhat less full. This will allow more movement and help keep your spine better aligned.

 

When Should You Swap Out Your Pillow?

stack of pillows

 

Generally, If you don't change your pillow after 18 months it is not providing the support for a good night's sleep. Memory foam pillows are considered to be better than other types of pillows because they last longer - up to three years! So if your current pillow is five or six years old then, unfortunately, this isn't healthy and will result in sub-par sleeping habits.

When checking to see if your pillow is still good, examine it by taking off the case and looking at its condition. Does it have stains from sweat? Are there tears in the fabric? Does it smell bad or look moldy? These are all signs of a need for replacement. Pillows collect dead skin cells, mildew, fungus, and dust mites (along with their feces) over time; as much as half of the weight of a pillow can be attributed to these organisms which put out odors that make sleep difficult but also interfere with breathing during slumber due to allergies caused by them.

 Here are a few other ways you can tell you need a new pillow:

Inspect Your Pillow

Give your pillow a quick inspection. Is it discolored? Are there any tears or openings? Does it have a weird smell? If you said "yes" to any of these, then it might be time for a new pillow. Signs of a bad memory foam pillow can include loss of shape or ability to return to its original position.

On the off chance that it breezes through the physical test, attempt the overlap test. When you overlap your cushion down the middle, does it stay collapsed or does it spring back to its unique position? If it stays collapsed, your cushion is most likely at the end of its life span.

Symptoms Of Back Pain 

If you are experiencing back pain while sleeping on a newer mattress, or if you are experiencing discomfort on certain days of the week, then this can be yet another clear indicator that you need a new pillow. A pillow that is older will lack support for both your head and neck and may not keep your spine aligned in its proper resting position.

Both side sleepers and back sleepers need proper support for their head, neck, and shoulders and need enough comfort to reduce stress on their pressure points, including their hips. Neck pain can also be linked to back pain throughout the night and especially during the morning time because it causes your neck to not be aligned with your spine. If these kinds of symptoms are present, then it may be time to replace your pillow!

 

What To Consider When Choosing Your Pillow 

Man waking up with a sore neck from a old pillow

Like mattresses, there is a good number of pillow choices available which can often be a bit overwhelming. So, how do you narrow down your search for the perfect pillow?

Below, we listed some key factors that you should consider when selecting the right pillow for your situation:

 

Fill

Some fill alternatives incorporate adaptable foam, polyester fill, latex, cotton, and fleece. Either one will work as long as you are abiding by the rules when it comes to finding the right pillow for your sleeping position.

 

Weight

An adaptable foam or latex pad will be heavier, while an engineered cushion will be somewhat lighter. Lighter materials usually mean more breathability which in return can reduce heat.

 

Texture

Despite the fact that you'll cover it with a pillowcase, you will want to look into a pillow that has a comfortable feel and texture. This can prevent the pillowcase from sliding and can make the pillow a lot easier to clean.

 

Size

The size of the pillow won't make a difference in terms of the quality of sleep you will, and is simply a personal preference.

Pillows typically come in two sizes: queen and king. This one is easy, as all you have to do is match the pillow size in relation to the size of your mattress. If you tend to turn over often or roll around at night, then going for a king-size may not be a bad idea, as it can cover more surface area.

Quality

Like anything, a quality-made cushion will last longer and assist you with sleeping better. When you've settled on a pillow you like, do your part and do your research or ask questions regarding the materials and how the pillow is manufactured. 

If you are ready to finally get that new pillow, you can check out some of our top-quality memory foam pillows on our page. National Mattress offers exclusive products from top industry brands, including Tempur-Pedic and Mlily!

Other Things To Consider When Choosing Your Next Pillow

Moisture Wicking

It has been said that the best pillow is made of natural, wicking fabric. The gecko-inspired design employs a salt gradient to create an evaporative cooling system without using any other power source than your body heat! With one side designed for a cool sensation and the opposite end as warm therapy, this duality maximizes comfort while you sleep soundly through those long nights in bed.

Just because a pillow is engineered to be moisture-wicking doesn't mean it's also engineered to feel cool at all times too! You should always aim for materials like polyester or bamboo which offer up their own unique benefits when used inside pillows.

Breathable Foam

A memory foam pillow is ideal because many sleepers love the deep sink and slow response to pressure. But what they don’t always like about memory foam is that it tends to trap body heat, which can make you uncomfortable at night while trying to get some shut-eye.

To remedy this problem, try shredded pillows filled with individual pieces of memory foam instead of one solid piece — these allow for greater airflow through your pillow cover as well as an overall more breathable surface area. This way, not only are you getting all the benefits from a classic feel but also comfort!

Non-Allergic

For People with allergies, this is an important factor when choosing the right type of pillow. Going for natural over synthetic materials can help you breathe better at night, therefore resulting in better quality sleep. Also, make sure that your pillow is machine washable so that you can maintain the cleanliness of your pillow and free of dust.

Is It Better To Have A Thick Or Thin Pillow?

GIrl waking up form a good nights rest on a thick pillow

Choosing the right pillow for your bed can lead to a better night's rest. If you find it difficult to get comfortable, try out different pillows until you find one that fits just right and is providing optimal neck support. Your head should be parallel with the mattress when laying down in order for best sleep quality- if not then grab an extra thick or thin pillow depending on what height of bedding you prefer!

Make sure there are no allergies or asthma symptoms worsening overtime during nighttime hours as this could signal some other issue due to subpar comfort levels while sleeping; swapping your old mattress may prove more beneficial than investing any further into new sheets, blankets...etc

Conclusion

When it comes to your pillow, you should take care of what goes into that decision. Take the time to choose a pillow based on your sleeping habits and needs as well as any health problems or allergies you may have. You can also consider how often you want to wash your sheets and whether there are kids in the house who regularly sleep with their heads near yours (because they need pillows too!). Remember these tips for when it's time to swap out that old pillow - change them every year if possible, don't use one after an illness like colds or flu since mold can grow inside, try not to let pets sleep on them because fur will get stuck between the seams! 

Check out our great selection of memory foam pillows at National Mattress here for the best prices.

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