Choosing the Right Pillow For You
WHAT PILLOW IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Like the choice of a mattress, the choice of a pillow is a very personal matter. Although some people can sleep with their head on a block of wood, most of us are very particular about the type of pillow we use. Your head weighs more than 10 pounds, so your pillow needs to provide you with support as well as comfort.
THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING YOUR PILLOW -
Consider what position you like to sleep in when choosing your pillow. If you sleep on your back or stomach you might prefer a soft pillow or medium pillow that is not too thick and will mould to your head and neck to give you comfortable gentle support. Choose a firm pillow or dense pillow if you sleep on your side, as this will offer the most support for your spine, head and neck in that position. If you have wide shoulders and sleep on your side you may prefer to use two pillows – a popular combination is a firmer bottom pillow and a softer top pillow. If you suffer from neck problems, a memory foam pillow may provide the shape and tension you are after.
Find a pillow that makes you feel comfortable. Just because a friend or relative uses a particular type of pillow and finds it perfect for them, that doesn’t mean that it will be perfect for you. And when your pillow starts to lose its shape or support, it’s time to get a new one. Experiment with a variety of types, and stick with the one that provides you with the best night’s sleep.
The life cycle of a pillow is usually 2-4 years. Once pillows start to age, they no longer provide the support required for a good night’s sleep and can also become unhygienic. There are a few warning signs which may indicate that it is time for a new pillow, such as: the cover of your pillow becoming discoloured, you waking up with a neck ache and you waking up feeling wheezy or with a runny/blocked nose. It is worth remembering that we all loose up to 1 pint of sweat per night which stains and dirties the pillow cover, allows unhealthy fungi to grow inside and attracts dusts mites which can cause allergic reactions.
If you’re trying to determine whether your pillow is ready for replacement, try these tests. If you own a polyester pillow, fold it in half and place a shoe on top. If the pillow unfolds and knocks the shoe off, it’s still good. If the shoe wins. the pillow probably needs replacing.
If you have a feather pillow, fold it in half and squeeze out as much air as you can. (Leave the shoe out of this contest) When you release the pillow , it should unfold on it’s own. If not, its goose is cooked and the pillow needs to be replaced.
