Bad pillows can cause neck or shoulder pain and headaches, and they can worsen allergy symptoms. Because people have different sleeping patterns — side, back, stomach — and there are different pillow styles and fillings, there isn’t one right pillow for everyone.
A great pillow allows you to rest comfortably in your natural sleeping position and supports your head and neck in a neutral alignment, which means centered over your shoulders.
1. Stomach sleepers. Look for a very thin pillow, which can be used under the head, chest or stomach. (Remember, this is the least ideal sleeping position, so teach yourself to sleep on your back or on your side)
2. Back sleepers. A medium-support pillow will give adequate support for your head and neck. You may also seek out a pillow with a curved edge that allows your shoulders to remain level while elevating your head and neck. Be sure the pillow won’t lift your neck too high, which ends up craning the head forward.
2. Back sleepers. A medium-support pillow will give adequate support for your head and neck. You may also seek out a pillow with a curved edge that allows your shoulders to remain level while elevating your head and neck. Be sure the pillow won’t lift your neck too high, which ends up craning the head forward.
3. Side sleepers. Side sleepers need firm support to keep the spine aligned with the shoulders and hips.
A firmer pillow will prevent your head from tipping down toward the mattress.
A firmer pillow will prevent your head from tipping down toward the mattress.
Fill: Feathers, down, synthetic, memory foam and latex are different pillow fills. Generally, down and feather blends are soft and fluffy, synthetic can still be soft but gives some resistance, and memory foam feels dense and supports your head.
The one drawback to memory foam is that it can be hot. Latex is an alternative to memory foam that doesn’t get hot. Memory foam and latex pillows may take some time to get used to, but they are extremely durable and can last a long time.
If possible, test pillows before buying, such as going to a bedding shop and lying down with the pillow. If you spend 10 minutes testing pillow options before you buy, it will be a great investment for your sleep in the long run.
The one drawback to memory foam is that it can be hot. Latex is an alternative to memory foam that doesn’t get hot. Memory foam and latex pillows may take some time to get used to, but they are extremely durable and can last a long time.
If possible, test pillows before buying, such as going to a bedding shop and lying down with the pillow. If you spend 10 minutes testing pillow options before you buy, it will be a great investment for your sleep in the long run.
What’s your favorite pillow? If you want to know what my personal favorite is, respond to this email and ask me!