One of the most common bedroom accessories is the pillow. Most of us when purchasing a pillow don’t give it much thought. In fact, many of my pillows were purchased depending on how soft they were and how well they worked as decorations. Choosing the right pillow is essential for that extra support you need for uninterrupted night’s sleep.
But before you start making considerations and reading about what pillow qualities you should look for in an ideal pillow, you must first determine what kind of sleeper you are. Sleeping positions play a significant role in influencing the specs your pillow should possess. If you are not sure what position you sleep in, you could ask someone to watch you over several nights. If that is a bit too creepy for you, you may get a sleep journal and record your position before you go to bed and right after you wake up.
Why do sleep positions matter?
Different positions require support in different areas of the body. When you sleep on your side, you need a pillow to support your head and neck and additionally keep your shoulders supported. This way, you can avoid those nasty neck pains or stiffness and aches that come with poor neck and shoulder support. Back sleepers benefit from a pillow that will keep their spine supported and avoid unnecessary pressure on the abdominal and back region. Stomach sleepers on the other hand benefit from the additional support that keeps their lower backs from dipping awkwardly.
Factor to consider when choosing a pillow
Find the right filling
This is easily the most essential aspect of the pillow. Filling determines the degree of firmness and comfort a pillow will offer. However, the softest pillow is not always the best. Because the goal is to support, you want to find an option whose firmness matches your required support. The filling can be feather filling, polyester or foam. There are other natural options available depending on your preferences. Good news for allergy sufferers who want a feathered pillow, you can get a hypoallergenic pillowcase to counter the effects of the filling and alleviate any reactions.
Again with the sleep conditions
As I mentioned, sleep positions play a significant role in influencing your choice of pillow. Back sleepers need thinner options to avoid elevating the neck in a higher awkward position. A foam filling is a good option for you and all back sleepers as it molds to your head and neck shape. Stomach sleepers need the thinnest options available for their head and necks, sorry stomach sleepers. Side sleeping, on the other hand, requires your pillow have higher degrees of firmness.
Sleep tip: if you find it stressful to sleep on your stomach and cannot adapt to another position, try side sleeping while hugging a large squishy pillow. This will create the contact feeling you get while stomach sleeping and help you change your position.
Hypoallergenic fabrics
If you have several allergies as I do, hypoallergenic fabrics are probably your best friends. Bedding usually attracts allergens including mold, dust, dander and my worst enemy, dust mites. These fabrics keep allergens in check. A hypoallergenic pillowcase should effectively maintain good sleeping conditions and reduced the degree and instances your sleep is interrupted by allergens.
Sleep tip: If you choose hypoallergenic, go all out. Make sure to renovate all the fabrics and bedding on your bed to keep away the allergens. This is the most effective way to keep away these irritants as they are attracted to different areas of your bed.
Pillow size
This may be a shock, but you do not need that mega extra super large pillow size or thickness. In the case of pillows, size does matter, both for sleeping and décor purposes. To select the right pillow size, consider your bed size, the number of pillows you plan to have and how you will use these pillows. The pillow that goes primarily under your head should be a medium size and must it all the requirements depending on your needs. Secondary pillows that are for auxiliary use like placing under your knees, between the thighs or simply for decorative purposes can be any size you like, as long as they do not overwhelm your bed.
Keep it stylish
Your pillow does not spend all its days scrunched up below your head or between your thighs. The rest of the time, its role changes, and it becomes a bedroom accessory that decorates your bed. I’m not saying it is absolutely imperative that you get the cutest pillow out there, but make an effort to get the pillow type that will complement your bedroom décor. If you have a whimsical cartoony theme in your room, a well filled, hypoallergenic covered and correctly sized log pillow could be what your Batman duvet needs. Keeping up with pillow trends
Sleep tip: Pillow style comes after all other considerations have been made. Sure you want your bed space to look well decorated but not badly enough to risk your comfort or sleep quality.
On the issue of the mattress
The right pillow is useless without the right mattress. You may find the best pillow out there for your sleep needs, but a pillow is only supplementary support. Your mattress should provide the primary support you need so you can improve it further with the ideal pillow. Finding a suitable mattress dictates that you take into account your sleep positions, as does finding the right pillow. This way both these sleep aids will complement one another and provide you with the best possible sleep conditions.
If you don’t already have a good mattress, it may be about time that you got one. Remember, sleep plays a vital role in stabilizing your body and its ability to function correctly. It is therefore crucial that you promote sleep behavior with the right conditions. Don’t know where to start shopping? tulo offers a variety of firmness choices and good quality designs for you to choose from.
Final word
The perfect pillow may vary depending on your requirements but it a necessary addition. It may seem like a tedious process, but it is all worth it in the name of a good night’s sleep. However, none of it matters if other sleep conditions are not equally as good or supportive.
To read more on topics like this, check out the lifestyle category.
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