The quest for the perfect pillow can be a challenging one, but those who have found great sleeping pillows would say that the rewards are worth the effort. Finding the right pillow could result reduced aches and pains and the all-important good night’s rest, with all the benefits that brings. But where do you begin? Even the options within a single department store can get overwhelming. When pursuing the perfect pillow, the following factors will help you find the pillow of your dreams.
Sleeping Style
Knowing whether you primarily sleep on your stomach, back, or side is an important first step in your pillow quest. Some pillows are even specifically designed for certain types of sleepers. Side sleepers need the firmest and thickest pillows, because their sleeping style creates a larger gap between their bodies and their mattresses that needs to be filled. Back sleepers need a moderate degree of firmness to keep their head and neck aligned with their spine. Stomach sleepers need the thinnest and least supportive pillows, because too much thickness or support would put their head at an uncomfortable angle. Knowing whether or not you move frequently might be helpful too, as some pillows are more conducive to frequent movement than others. For example, a memory foam pillow tends to form to one position very well.
Firmness
As mentioned above, your sleeping style has a lot to do with the level of firmness you may need. However, there is still some degree of personal preference involved. If you find yourself folding your pillow in half, fluffing it, or adding an extra pillow, you probably need to find something firmer than your current pillow. Do you enjoy the idea of sinking into a fluffy pillow, or do you prefer to be perched atop a supportive pillow?
Filling Material
Filling material has a lot to do with firmness as well as other aspects of your sleeping experience. Feather and down pillows are often the softest options, providing both support and softness. These luxurious pillows cradle your head on a cloud of soft feathers, and also provide one of the most natural filler options. Though some people report allergic reactions to real feathers, feathers are sure to be free of any unpleasant smells that sometimes come with synthetic pillows. This type of pillow also breathes well, which makes it a good option for those who are always looking for the cool spot on the pillow. This tried and true filler also boasts a long life.
Synthetic fillings are often designed to mimic down, but can often offer more customized firmnesses. This option is hypoallergenic as well as machine washable. This option can provide a good balance between softness and firmness, as it can be firmer than feather pillows but less dense than memory foam.
Memory Foam: Memory foam pillows offer maximum support, and for this reason are also billed as good options for those who suffer back and neck issues and those with snoring problems. Conforming to the exact outline of one’s head and neck, these pillows surround and stabilize. Their density can sometimes trap heat, and their materials have sometimes been noted to have an unpleasant smell. However, these pillows never need to be fluffed or adjusted, and they hold their shape well.
Size and Shape: You might initially think that a pillow is a pillow, but there are some different options for shape and structure. The size of the gussets on the side, for example, can contribute to the angle of your head and the amount of space the pillow will fill. Those with larger gussets have higher sides. Some unconventionally shaped pillows can also be found to meet various needs. Those who need extra back support, such as pregnant women or those with back problems, can find pillows with a whole extra attachment meant to support their back. Pillows designed especially for extra neck support can be found as well. There are even pillows made to put between one’s knees, which can provide comfort for those with hip or knee discomfort.
What the Best Sleeping Pillows Have in Common
So there are filling materials, sleeping style, firmness, price, shape, and even smell to consider when purchasing a pillow. With all of these factors to consider, is there anything that the best sleeping pillows have in common? The number one link between the most comfortable pillows is support. No matter what they’re filled with or how soft or firm they are, they need to be dense enough to provide support to both your neck and head.
Hand-in-hand with support comes the fact that the best sleeping pillows are also in good condition. Many once-supportive pillows can lose their shape and support over the years, but it happens so gradually, sleepers often don’t notice. Many experts suggest the fold test to see if your pillow can stand up to the task of supporting your head: fold the pillow in half and place a moderately weighted object, such as a book or a shoe, on top of it. When you remove the object, see if the pillow opens up on its own. A pillow that stays folded is likely not firm enough to provide the support it should. The best sleeping pillows will not be flat, floppy, foldable, bunchy, or uneven, because those factors mean that your neck and head won’t be fully supported. Good condition also means the pillow is clean, as a buildup of dust and sweat could irritate allergies or contribute to the breakdown of the pillow’s materials.
The best sleeping pillows are also likely to be at least moderately priced. You certainly don’t have to spend a fortune to get a quality pillow, but no $10.00 pillows appear on top pillow lists, either. Very cheap materials may feel soft yet supportive at first, but they tend to wear out and break down quite quickly.
Overall, though, the most important commonality among the best sleeping pillows is that they’ve been carefully selected for the needs and preferences of the person who will use them.
Related posts:
No related posts.
