HOW TO CHOOSE PILLOWS

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.

Good restful night sleep is very necessary for health, good mood and working potential. Sleep with right comfortable pillow could give you pleasure, quality of our sleep and health.

It is well known that wrong pillow could create several problems including mood swings, headaches, neck pain, shoulder and arm numbness, discomfort, allergy, sneezing and wheezing.

Scientists discovered that “old” pillows contain skin cells, mold, mildew, fungus and dust mites, which could trigger several health conditions.

SO, how to choose the right pillows and when is the time to buy a new pillow?

IMPORTANT TO KNOW
RULE ONE - buy a pillow every 12 to 18 months.
RULE TWO - after two years, your pillow definitely got to go.

How to choose pillows for different sleeping styles

Sleep position is very important because in different sleep positions you would need different types of support for your neck and head. Pillow should help keep your head in so called “neutral alignment” which means your head is sitting squarely on your shoulders without bending back too far or reaching too far forward.

If you sleep on your back, you would need thinner pillows, so your head is not thrown too far forward. It is also important to look for pillows with extra loft in the bottom third of the pillow to cradle the neck.

If you sleep on your side (right or left), you would need firmer pillows to fill in the distance between the ear and outside shoulder.

If you sleep on your stomach, you would need very thin (almost flat) pillows. Some stomach sleepers don’t use any pillows. You can also use special pillows developed for stomach sleepers.

Natural stuffed Pillow (Down-feather Pillows)

Natural stuffed pillows could be stuffed with feather, down or a combination of both (50/50). Down-feather Pillows are very soft and they are known as best sleep pillows because you can move the stuffing differently (pretty flexible) and you can have the most support where you need it. Down-feather pillows can be recommended to people who like soft pillows.

Down is not a feather – it is the fluffy insulation under the feathers that keep ducks and geese warm and protected from outdoor elements. Usually natural stuffed pillows labeled as "allergy free" – they have been sanitized of all impurities that typically affect allergy sufferers.

Foam Pillows

Foam is good for density - the higher the density, the less breakdown, better is the support.

Memory foam Pillows

Memory foam pillows are very popular because they reduce pressure points by continuously molding and adjusting to the shape of your body (changing shape while you are changing your position during night). Memory foam pillows are dense, sponge-like pillows that mold around the head and neck for extra support. These pillows could be recommended to people who like firm pillows. Memory foam pillows are good for neck, shoulder and spine support.

Latex Pillows

Latex pillows are firm – they resist mold and dust mites. Latex pillows could help with back and neck alignment (especially pillows contoured for neck support).

Wool and Cotton Pillows

These pillows are hypoallergenic and resist mold and dust mites. Wool and cotton pillows are firm.

Synthetic Pillows

Synthetic Pillows can be stuffed with polyester fibers. Synthetic stuffing usually is soft, easy to change stuffing position and adapt to your personal needs. In most cases synthetic pillows have a shorter life span and will not conform to the head and neck as well as a natural stuffed pillow. Synthetic pillows can be stuffed with polyester clusters coated with silicone to feel and move like down.

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.

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.

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.

How to choose pillows - different sizes

Standard Pillow: 20" x 26"

Queen Pillow: 20" x 30"

King Pillow: 20" x 36"

European Pillow: 26" x 26"

Body Pillow: 20" x 54"

Travel Pillow: 12" x 16"

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.

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

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.

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.

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.