Can't sleep at night? Your pillow might not be giving you the comfort that you need. Check out this quick guide to knowing what to look for when buying a new pillow for healthy sleep.
When it comes to improving sleep quality, the main focus is to find a suitable mattress for your needs, as it should be. Not only does it significantly determine your comfort and pressure relief, but it is also a huge investment in terms of its price. But improving your sleep quality does not end with buying a perfect mattress that suits your needs. Smaller items like your pillows, bolsters, and other sleep accessories also matter. Even if you have a comfortable mattress, if you sleep on a saggy, lumpy, and old pillow that is full of dust mites... eww... you won't guarantee a healthy and restful sleep.
Tossing, turning, fluffing, and folding your pillow just to get proper sleep support is the recipe for a sleepless night. If you want to get rid of this nightmare, it's time to update your pillow. Here is a quick guide to help you determine the type of pillow suitable for your needs and tastes.
What do you mean by neutral spine alignment?
Neutral spine alignment is vital to balancing your body weight and relieving stress from your pressure points when you are sleeping.
Why is Your Pillow Important?
While your mattress supports neutral spine alignment, or the natural shape of your body while sleeping, and balances your weight to relieve pressure, your pillow is responsible for maintaining proper posture and supporting your head, shoulders, and neck during sleep.
Without a suitable pillow, you'll easily feel uncomfortable and restless due to insufficient support and the misalignment of your body during sleep.
So how do you find the right pillow to prevent this restlessness and lack of sleep?
A suitable pillow does not automatically mean one that is soft and fluffy. It should also support the natural shape of your head, neck, and shoulders and help lessen the pressure on your spine. The softness or firmness of your pillow must also suit your tastes to enhance the quality of your sleep.
Back Sleepers
Generally, back sleepers require a medium-loft pillow—neither too high nor too low. This is to keep your head, neck, and shoulders aligned and maintain the natural curve of your spine. To achieve this, make sure that you don't only support the upper part of your head when you sleep but also include your upper back. When you sleep on your back, make sure that your pillow is big and firm enough to touch your upper back.
Side Sleepers
If you are a side sleeper, you need a thicker or higher-lofted pillow. When you sleep on your shoulder, the distance between your head, neck, and the mattress is larger. A thicker pillow can help close this distance to maintain neutral spine alignment without tilting or straining your neck and shoulders.
Stomach Sleepers
Stomach sleepers are less common than back and side sleepers. They are also more prone to having inappropriate posture during sleep. If you are a side sleeper, too much elevation puts pressure on your neck, shoulders, and lower body, causing body pain. To balance the pressure, get a thinner or low-loft pillow, or add a pillow under your belly to relieve the stress.
Combination Sleepers
If you are a combination sleeper, you are a back sleeper, side sleeper, and stomach sleeper in one. When you sleep in different positions, you need a pillow that can support your body whether you sleep on your back, side, or stomach. A good pillow that can contour your body's curves in any position can help you achieve a sound sleep.
When buying a pillow, it is important to not only focus on the price of the product but also consider its quality. Remember that your pillow is also a good investment for healthier sleep, just like your mattress. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to choosing a pillow. Every type of pillow has its benefits and downsides, depending on your sleep position and comfort preference.
Pillow Fibre/ Fill
Do you need a soft and fluffy pillow? How about something firmer to relieve your body's pain? Maybe you want a pillow that balances the right amount of fluff and firmness. There is no best pillow fill, as everything boils down to personal preference.
Down pillows are luxurious and comfortable. They are made from goose or duck feathers that are breathable and adaptable. Since they are made with high-end materials, down pillows are more durable than synthetic varieties.
Speaking of natural pillow materials, cotton pillows are a healthy, eco-friendly solution for your snooze. While synthetic alternatives smell like chemicals on the first use, cotton pillows don't exude that smell. Contrary to popular belief, cotton pillows are more firm and resilient than down pillows. As a result, cotton pillows can provide the appropriate pressure for people suffering from back pain.
Memory foam pillows are more affordable and popular because of the contour comfort they provide during sleep. Like a memory foam mattress, these pillows let your head, neck, shoulders, and upper back sink in, following the natural shape of your body. Memory foam pillows are durable and easy to maintain. When buying memory foam pillows, consider that they are not as breathable as down-filled pillows as they absorb body heat to contour the shape.
Latex pillows offer a comfortable and bouncy feel during sleep. These pillows are breathable and hypoallergenic. Unlike memory foam pillows, latex pillows do not offer much contour but are more focused on a softer bounce that others prefer. Firm latex pillows provide pressure relief.
Firmness
Aside from materials, pillows also differ in firmness level. This firmness helps determine the comfort and support a pillow provides to the sleeper. Firm pillows are ideal for back sleepers who need extra support to target the pressure points. Medium-firm pillows offer the proper support and contour for back and side sleepers who look for firmer options. Medium-soft pillows are good for sleepers who often change positions, while soft pillows make stomach sleepers comfortable and well-supported.
Best Pillow for Sensitive Skin
Your pillow can be the home of allergens and acne breakout triggers. To avoid itchy discomfort during sleep, choose a pillow with anti-bacterial, anti-dust mite, and anti-fungal properties. Pillows with these properties are also suitable for those who have asthma. While investing in a mattress and a good pillow, make sure to also pay attention to your bedding accessories.
Best Pillow for Hot Sleepers
If you are prone to sweating or generally don't prefer a warm environment during sleep, opt for a cooling pillow. A cooling pillow, like latex, does not trap heat but helps you cool down for a restful night's sleep. Look for a breathable mattress and bedding to keep you cool even in hotter weather.
Time to Replace Your Pillow
If you've been dealing with a saggy, bumpy, and uncomfortable pillow for years (you've probably accumulated lots of sweat, oils, and dust mites over time that add to the discomfort), it's time to let go of your inconvenience and invest in high-quality replacements.
Read more: Create Your Sleep Sanctuary with this Bedroom Furniture Buying Guide
Say goodbye to sleepless nights and say hello to a beautiful, restful, and revitalising sleep that will make you feel full of life the next day. Get high-quality pillows, bolsters, mattresses, and beddings online in Singapore at Megafurniture.sg.