What should a pillow be like to enjoy a restful sleep? Should it be soft? Hard and small? Or better one cushion on top of another? Choosing a pillow is not silly, on the contrary. Think that you spend between 6 and 8 hours in bed, and that this makes up almost a third of our life.
There are many types of pillows and choosing the best one will depend, above all, on your habits, your postures and even whether you are allergic or not. A pillow is not just “that soft thing” where you can rest your head at night. Just think about how many mornings you wake up, for example, with neck pain. So, keep these tips in mind.
1. What is the best material to choose a pillow?
There are many options on the market, hence you should take these aspects into account to choose the one that can best suit your needs. Notes:
- Memory foam pillows: They offer us much better support for the head, it is denser and they usually last for many years in good condition.
- Fiber pillows: The disadvantage of polyester pillows is that, as we wash them, they lose density and volume. You will notice your head a little lower and, in the end, your cervical spine will suffer. They are not a good option.
- Latex or gel pillows: Lately they have become fashionable and we can find them anywhere. They are very firm and their advantages are, above all, that they protect us from mold and mites. They are ideal for keeping our neck-back axis in balance.
- Wool and cotton pillows: Their main benefit is that they do not cause allergies. If you often suffer from asthma or have an allergy to mites, they are an excellent option. Although, yes, they are usually quite hard.
- Feather pillows: It is one of the most well-known and most widely used fillers. However, the question is: Are they adequate? Of course. They offer firmness, cervical support and comfort. On the other hand, they tend to cause quite a few allergies.
2. What posture do you usually sleep in?
- Do you sleep on your back?
Then choose a thin pillow. That way, your neck and back will form the same angle and you won’t suffer any muscle overload. Memory foam pillows are very appropriate.
- Do you sleep on your side?
In this case, the ideal pillow is the one that is the fattest. In this way, the neck-column axis is always in balance.
- Do you change your position many times?
If you are one of those who does not sit still in bed, then you need a very flexible pillow that adapts to your postures. The best, in this case, are the feather ones.
3. Our ergonomic needs
We all have particular needs. You may suffer from problems with your cervical spine, you may have diabetes, or you may suffer from night sweats due to menopause. Don’t worry, because in these cases there are also special pillows that can help you.
Notes:
- Cervical pillows
You will find many of them on the market. They have a special shape that allows us to rest our head comfortably, without affecting the neck and cervical spine. They also have special cushioning at the bottom of the pillow that allows us to hold and rest our head.
- Water pillows
Did you know them? Physiotherapists explain that they are very beneficial because of their ability to adapt to all our movements. They relax, give density, firmness and are very pleasant. However, not everyone has just gotten used to something so special.
- Cool pillows
The so-called fresh pillows have a filling based on small pearls that always offer a feeling of freshness. They are ideal for when we suffer from night sweats or hot flashes due to menopause.
- Oxygenating pillows
Have you heard of them? They are a very special type of pillows, with a type of fabric that helps us improve our circulation. They raise the oxygen in the blood vessels and take care of our health every night.
Another piece of information that we must take into account is hygiene. Remember to wash your pillow every week, especially the covers. This is where mites, dead skin and other bacteria that can affect your health are concentrated, starting with things as simple as a headache and even the typical morning tiredness. So, remember: Choose the best pillow according to your needs.
Source: Better with Health
