BEST SLEEP PILLOWS (general information)

Sleep is necessary for survival. Most healthy people spend about a third of the day sleeping which means we spend about one third of our life in the bed. Scientists discovered that people can survive longer without food than without sleep. Sleep gives the body a rest and allows it to prepare for the next day. Every person needs about 7-8 hours sleep per day.

There are several health conditions and sleep disorders which interrupt the normal restful healthy sleep and it could be a problem for any person.

Medical scientists developed different types of special pillows which could be a solution for different types of sleep disorders and/or different health conditions. Choosing the best pillows for sleeping is important to good sleep. Best pillows must be both comfortable and provide anatomically correct alignment for the head, neck and spine.

Most pillows are designed for people who sleep on their backs, but are uncomfortable for side sleepers or people who sleep on either their back or sides. By choosing a pillow that is designed for sleeping on either your side or back, you may sleep more comfortably through the night.

Sleep Apnea Pillows

Sleep apnea is a serious condition that causes disruption to breathing during sleep.   If it goes untreated there can be serious consequences. Many doctors advice to sleep in the side position – it is doubly beneficial to clearer breathing. Medical professionals developed special therapeutic pillows designed to help keep a person on their side while sleeping. If you have sleep apnea, you do not want to sleep on your back. It is recommended to select a special therapeutic pillow which can relieve sleep apnea.

If you select the right pillow, it can open up blocked airways and lessen snoring and sleep apnea.

Pillows for Insomnia

Insomnia is a medical term for sleeplessness (sleeping difficulties). Many women experience sleep problems. There are two types of insomnia: primary insomnia and secondary insomnia.

Primary insomnia – when women have sleep problems that are not directly associated with any other health condition and/or health problem.

Secondary insomnia – when women sleep problems associated with specific health condition such as asthma, depression, different types of pain, arthritis, cancer, heartburn, medications, alcohol or drug abuse. It is well known that lack of sleep leads to mood swings, reduced mental agility and slurred speech.

Sometimes correct pillow selection could solve all problems triggered by insomnia. Right pillow can be pretty effective for normal healthy sleep.

Pillows for Snoring Women

Different studies discovered that about 30-33% women are snoring. Usually snoring caused by vibrations that cause particles in the air to form sound waves. During the area at the back of the throat sometimes narrows. The same amount of air passing through this smaller opening can cause the tissues surrounding the opening to vibrate, which in turn can cause the sounds of snoring. Different people who snore have different reasons for the narrowing. The narrowing can be in the nose, mouth, or throat.

Sleeping position and special anti-snoring pillows are very important in prevention of snoring in women. When during sleep women lie on their backs, gravity pulls the palate, tonsils and tongue backwards - this often narrows the airway enough to cause turbulence in airflow, tissue vibration and snoring. Special anti-snoring pillows can easily prevent mentioned narrowing and stop snoring.

Snore relief pillows have unique shape that promotes healthier side sleeping and women can get better night sleep, night rest and feel less fatigued and full of energy during whole following day.

Anti-allergic Pillows

Millions of people suffer from different types of allergy. Allergy is a hypersensitivity disorder of the immune system. During allergy immune system reacts to normally harmless substances in the environment. Allergy could be a cause of disturbed sleep, restless sleep and interrupted sleep. Main solution for allergies is avoiding of known allergens.

If you suffer from allergies, you may sleep better with anti-allergic pillows or with pillows made from organically grown natural fibers. Anti-allergic pillows help to dramatically reduce the growth of dust mite allergens deep inside, not just on the surface.   

Anti-allergic pillows insure the healthier sleeping environment – neutralizing household dust mite allergens, odors, mold, bacteria and preventing the sensitization that leads to asthma, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis and other allergic reaction. Anti-allergic pillows can insure the restful sleep.

Temperature Adjusting Pillows

Temperature regulating pillows regulate the temperature of sensitive face and head, and help prevent overheating. The most advanced technology developed pillows that absorb and regulate temperatures while sleeping.

Originally temperature adjusting pillows were developed for astronauts helping them with the temperature swings of space. Outlast fibers in these pillows contain millions of invisible microcapsules (thermocules) that keep you cooler by absorbing your excess heat, then releasing when your skin temperature drops. If during sleep your skin temperature drops, temperature adjusting pillow can release the stored heat to keep you from getting too cold. Temperature adjusting pillows help your body to regulate its temperature during the night long sleep.

Temperature adjusting pillows can be very useful during menopause hot flashes and night sweats. If you use temperature adjusting pillows, you will never wake up with a soaking pillow case again

Anti-stress Pillows

Life of modern women is usually pretty stressful. Millions of women experience different types of stress every day and for them relaxed restful sleep is very important.

Modern medical technologies developed different types of anti-stress pillow which are designed for stressed people. Some anti-stress pillows are infused with an aroma-therapeutic blend of lavender, chamomile and/or citrus. Aromatized anti-stress pillows help to soothe the senses, relax the mind and calm frazzled nerves.

Anti-stress pillows characterized by low resilience. Anti-stress pillows have been specially designed to fit different needs and to confer the best relaxation ever. Having an anatomically correct profile and a unique pressure-relieving shape, the anti-stress pillows provide maximum support, allowing the muscles of the neck and shoulders to relax completely during sleep.

Some anti-stress pillows made of special hyperlux foam which designed to enhance cervical support and give the best relaxation during long night sleep.

Anti-stress pillows with ergonomic nodules can stimulate the circulatory system. All anti-stress pillows provide more comfortable sleeping environment and reduces pressure that can restrict blood flow (main cause of pain and disrupt sleep). At the same time, anti-stress pillows provide perfect support to the spinal cord and body.

Pregnancy Pillows

Pregnancy is a huge stress for women body. During pregnancy women experience pretty complicated body changes which insure normal baby development. Increased weight, enlarged belly and breasts could create a lot of problems during normal sleep. It is essential to get enough and comfortable sleep during pregnancy. The ideal solution for pregnant women could be pregnancy pillows and/or maternity pillow because they are designed to support the entire pregnant body posture during relaxation in the bed (from head to toe).

Most pregnancy sleeping pillows are usually designed to position in between the legs and knees while the woman sleeps on her side of the bed – these sleeping pillows help pregnant women to choose the comfortable preferred positions during sleep and/or relaxation. Special sleeping pillows could be very useful during last months of pregnancy. There are several health benefits of different types of sleeping pillows for pregnancy.

Pregnancy sleeping pillows help women to get relaxed and comfortable sleep insuring longer sleep.

Specific sleeping pillows for pregnancy can support neck, shoulders, belly, legs and even baby after delivery (during breastfeeding and sleep).

Pregnancy sleeping pillows relief different types of pain typical for pregnancy – muscles’ pain, back pain and/or legs’ pain.

Water Pillows

With water pillows you can wake up refreshed and revived. Water pillows are the best supportive pillows for neck pain. With water pillows you can stop chronic pain and stiffness because water pillows give your neck, back and shoulders the comfort of customizable support.

Water pillows are comfortable and fully adjustable – you can modify your level of comfort whenever you desire by adjusting the volume of water in your pillow. If you prefer a firm therapeutic neck pillow, then fill the water pillow with more water and if you enjoy a softer neck pillow, limit the amount of water that you put in your pillow. So you get exactly the support you need by adjusting the amount of water in the water bladder: soft, medium or firm.

Water pillow can be customized – it responds to changes in your sleeping position to give you on-going adjusting support.

In most cases water pillows have the thermal insulator layer which prevents the water layer from heating up due to heat loss from the head and neck, keeping your water pillow cool and comfortable during whole night sleep.

Adjustable Pillows

In most cases standard pillows cannot fully support restful sleep. The adjustable pillows give you the possibility to adjust the softness of your pillow from very soft to medium, firm or thick. Actually the adjustable pillows give you the full freedom in personalizing your pillow for your unique requirements, making it perfectly fit your body, sleeping position and comfort.

Adjustable pillows are the revolutionary pillows that blend the hi-tech of fiberfill with the freedom of air. These innovative memory foam pillows have been improved with an inflatable inside.

Adjustable pillow are created to hold your head and neck in most comfortable position bringing complete support and relaxation during sleep.

There are different types of adjustable pillows for back and/or side sleepers – adjustable pillows fit your individual size, shape and sleeping position. Adjustable pillows promote a healthy position to maintain the natural curvature of the neck during sleeping, alleviating pain in neck, shoulder (sore shoulder muscles) and back areas. At the same time, the adjustable pillows relieve pain and dull annoyances caused by headaches and arthritis.

If you have trouble finding a pillow that is soft or firm enough, an adjustable pillow could help you to sleep more comfortably.

Leg Pillows

First leg pillows were designed for knees 20-25 years ago and were very popular in XIX century (especially among women suffering from varicose veins and leg pains). It is well known that leg pillow wedge minimizes the chances of blood pooling in your leg veins and nudges the blood back to the heart for improved blood circulation.

Leg pillows support and align our lower body, relieving pressure on lower back, hips, legs, knees and spine while you sleep. Leg pillows fit the curves of your legs – insuring comfortable long night sleep.

Ergonomic leg, knee and hip pillows designed to fit your lower body support needs. Leg pillows are designed to relieve lower back pain, relax muscles and reduce pressure on hips, knees and ankles. It is very easy and affordable way to reduce pressure and provide comfort for lower back, hips and knees during whole night.

Elevate tired legs and relieve pressure on your sore, aching back with this comfortable foam leg pillow. This wedge pillow is perfect to use in bed or on the couch.

Knee pillows

Knee pillows help to relieve pressure in the hips and lower back and are a helpful tool for anyone who has an achy back or who wants extra support for the spine. In most cases knee pillows are used for side sleepers. This type of sleeping device helps to open the hips, keeps the knees separated, encourages circulation and keeps stress off the spine and lower back.

If you are sleeping on the side, bending the knees and placing a pillow between the knees prevents the knees from coming together and keeps the spine in the neutral position. When there is no support between the legs, the upper leg rotates downward, pulling the pelvis, and distorting the natural line of the spine. Adding support between the knees can prevent back pain induced by these types of forces and allow the back to heal and more properly rest while sleeping.

Usually the firm pillow between the knees works better than a softer pillow because it serves somewhat as a kickstand to keep the upper leg from rotating over the lower leg.

When sleeping on the back, placing a pillow underneath the back of the knees helps reduce the load on the lower back. Some people even prefer to have two pillows to elevate their knees higher. With two or more pillows underneath the knees, the lumbar spine is flattened, putting less force on the pain sensitive facet joints of the spine.

Knee pillows soothe your back and hips as you sleep. Doctors recommend using a knee pillow to help circulation and relieve lower back and leg discomfort.

Neck and shoulder pain relief pillows

Neck and/or shoulder problems can cause pain, headaches and a loss of energy. If you wake up in the morning with a stiff and painful neck and/or painful shoulders, it is likely that there is a problem with your sleep pillow and/or sleeping position (because of wrong pillows).

The main function of a pillow is to support your head, neck and shoulders. Sleep pillows should keep alignment between the head, neck and shoulders without tilting or lifting the head. The best sleeping positions are on your back or side. In the side sleeping position, the pillow should be higher due to the width of the shoulders. Unfortunately, most pillows do not perform this function.

Choosing the right pillow you can prevent neck and shoulder pain. For example, water filled pillow reacts to changes in positions and supports the head and neck equally in the side or back sleeping positions. This is important because once you are asleep, you change positions throughout the night and unless a position causes so much pain that it wake you up, you may spend hours in an unsupported position that can stress the neck. It is very beneficial to have a pillow that can automatically adjust and accommodate these changes.

Pillows to help neck and shoulder pain should be chosen carefully - if they are too firm or too soft for your specific complaint, they may result in further pain.

Acupressure Pillows

Acupressure pillows are recommended to women suffering from neck pain, tense neck muscles, headaches, migraines, insomnia, stress or anxiety. Market full of different types and different shapes of acupressure pillows. It is pretty effective easy natural method which can be used at home.

All acupressure pillows are designed to fit very comfortably under the neck and head. If you use the acupressure pillows on your neck, it would stimulate blood circulation and the flow of oxygen rich blood to the neck and head. The acupressure pillows could be also used in-between the thighs and knees to target specific painful areas.

Acupressure pillows are made from high quality materials. Usually acupressure pillows have hundreds or thousands of contact points that stimulate blood circulation to the neck and head.

Acupressure pillows can be used for self-treatment, for relaxation and increased wellbeing by providing the best massage on your neck stress. Acupressure pillows may improve circulation, increase energy levels, relieve chronic neck and back pain, reduce stress and anxiety.

Acupressure pillows can also be applied to the hip, back, limbs, feet or other body areas, depending on how it is positioned most comfortably.

Travel Pillows

Most women love their own pillows and can sleep comfortable only with personal pillows. But what to do if you are travelling (for business and/or for vacation)? The perfect solution is travel pillows which should be a part of your luggage.  

There are several different types of travel pillows – inflatable travel pillows, the compressible pillows, down travel pillows, air-core pillows. Shape of travel pillows also can be different.

Most common are "U" shaped travel pillows that are curved to fit snuggly around the neck and can be used for sleeping or supporting the head when in a seated position. These types of pillows prevent the head from bending too far to one side or the other. "U" shaped travel pillows also create a support so that the weight of the head is partially taken care of by the pillow - this relieves some of the work done by the muscles keeping the head up and may be beneficial while sleeping in a sitting position (in airplane, train or car).

Choose the best travel pillow and support your blood circulation to the neck and head. Make your travel comfortable and healthy by always keeping your travel pillows in your suitcase.