The Ultimate Guide for Buying the Right Pillow

How To Choose A Pillow 

A good night’s sleep is impossible to achieve without a comfortable pillow. Pillows are responsible for keeping our posture and alignment maintained while we sleep. Sleeping on a bad pillow can cause neck pain and tightness on the shoulders and other body areas.  

It can also affect your ability to fall asleep and enjoy undisturbed sleep throughout the night.  Choosing the right pillow depends on your body and sleep habits. The right pillow for you should be comfortable and supportive for the head, neck, and shoulders. 

Does Sleeping Position Affect Pillow Choice? 

Your sleeping position directly affects your pillow choice. However, it is difficult to find the right pillow as people shift their sleeping position throughout the night. Therefore, you should choose the pillow based on the frequently used sleeping position. So, let’s find out which pillows are suitable for which sleeping position. 

Pillow For Back Sleepers 

As a back sleeper, you need to choose a pillow that helps you maintain a healthy posture. Therefore, a medium loft that is neither too firm nor too soft is the right choice. Buying a pillow made of memory foam is more beneficial because the material conforms to the pressure of your neck and shoulders. This will support your neck and shoulders to ensure you don’t wake up with tight or knotted shoulders. 

Pillow For Side Sleepers 

Side sleeping is the most common sleeping position for adults. However, without good support from the mattress and pillows, side sleepers increase the risk of shoulder pain and neck to spine misalignment. If you are also a side sleeper, you must use a high loft firm pillow to neuter your spine during sleep hours. If you are not sure how thick the pillow should be, use this rule of thumb to find a pillow. Your pillow should be as thick as the distance between your shoulder and the opposite ear. 

The pillow should be high to prop your head, align the spine, and relieve pressure from the shoulder. It is important to buy a pillow created from firm material to avoid sinking into the pillow. A soft pillow is unable to provide the right support and may decrease oxygen supply while sleeping. Therefore, buy a firm, tall, and fluffy pillow to provide the right amount of support all night. 

Pillow For Stomach Sleepers 

Stomach Sleepers can sleep without a pillow or use a very soft one. Unfortunately, finding the correct pillow for stomach sleepers can become a bit tricky. Making the wrong choice will cause neck straining and extra pressure on the lower back and abdomen. That is why you must use proper pillow support to ensure you wake up rested and refreshed instead of achy and grouchy. 

Stomach sleepers should buy a low loft pillow to maintain the spine-to-neck alignment. Using a medium or high loft pillow will crane your neck upwards, pulling on your neck and shoulder muscles. So, instead of having a pillow underneath your head, make sure to put a pillow under the stomach and pelvis for better alignment. Moreover, the pillow should be made from soft material because firm ones will misalign your neck by propping up the head. 

Tips For Choosing The Perfect Pillow 

Here are some good tips to consider before you purchase pillows. 

• Make sure the filling is according to your liking
• Measure the weight and size of the pillow.
• Choose a breathable fabric that prevents overheating.
• Choose the height and firmness of the pillow based on your sleeping position.
• Buy a pillow made from memory foam as it is highly supportive and has a long lifespan.

How To Protect Your Pillow? 

Your pillow can quickly become your enemy if you don’t take care of it properly. An uncared pillow can cause neck pain, back pain, shoulder pain, allergies, and skin problems. Therefore, you should buy a pillow protector along with a pillow. In addition to protecting your skin, a pillow protector also extends the life of your pillow. 

A pillow protector is a barrier against dust and allergens. It also protects the pillow from normal wear and tear that happens after consistent use of the pillow. Pillow protectors are manufactured from different materials. However, it is better to choose a water-proof protector because it prevents moisture and sweat from absorbing into the pillow. 

If the moisture keeps seeping into the pillow, your pillow will start smelling and growing mould and mildew. A mouldy pillow will attract germs and negatively affect your health. As a result, you will be unable to enjoy a pleasant and healthy sleep. 

Another important thing is to make sure the pillow protector is both wipeable and washable. So, you can daily clean it with a disinfectant and wash cloth while giving it a good machine or hand wash every four to six months. Sleeping on a clean pillow will prevent pimples from popping out every now and then.