How to Choose the Right Pillow.....for You | The Bed King

How to Choose the Right Pillow.....for You

Choosing the right pillow can make all the difference between a good night’s sleep and waking up stiff and tired.  Your pillow plays an important role in the quality of your sleep, and the size and shape of your pillow depends entirely on your preferred sleeping position and mattress.  

Importance of Using the Correct Pillow

The right pillow invites comfort and relaxation; it restores the body and mind with a good night’s rest and keeps the spine and neck aligned - leaving you feeling awake and refreshed. 

The wrong pillow compromises your sleep quality by pushing the spine out of alignment, resulting in neck and back pain, and aggravating conditions such as snoring, headaches, insomnia and numbness. 

So how do you go about choosing the right pillow? 

Supporting Your Sleep Position 

The size and shape of your pillow depends on your preferred sleeping position, and numerous studies have shown that using the correct pillow not only reduces aches and pains, but actually improves your sleep quality too! 

You may chop and change positions during your slumber, and you may find it hard to pinpoint your preferred sleeping position, but most of your sleep is spent in a preferred position.  

So the importance of knowing what pillow compliments your position can make all the difference between rest and rejuvenation or pain and tiredness. 

What Pillow Supports Your Sleep Position? 

Each position requires a different level of comfort and support, your pillow should support your spine and neck and this support should determine your comfort levels and quality of sleep.  Whether you sleep on your back, side or stomach, discover what pillow best supports your position. 

• Back Sleeper
  Your pillow should follow the natural curvature of your spine and support your head, neck and shoulders during sleep.  The best pillow for this position is a firm one, and you should feel relaxed and supported during sleep. 
• Side Sleeper
  Your body requires a little more support in this position and an ideal pillow should fill the gaps between your head and mattress, allowing your body to evenly distribute your weight and keep your spine in alignment.  The best pillow for this position is again, a firmer pillow.
• Stomach Sleeper
  With this position already placing strain on your spine and muscles, you need a fairly flat pillow that keeps your neck and head aligned with your spine.  The best pillow for this position is a softer pillow. 

It’s important to maintain the natural curve of your spine whether sleeping on your back, side or stomach.  If your pillow is too high, your neck bends too far forward or sideways, causing your neck and shoulder muscles to strain.  This could lead to narrowing of your windpipe resulting in obstructed breathing and conditions such as snoring. 

On the other hand, if your pillow is too low, whether sleeping sideways or on your back, your neck can get pushed out of alignment, causing muscle strain. 

Other Factors to Consider When Buying a Pillow 

Your build and mattress are just as important as your sleeping position, so consider these factors when purchasing a pillow:  

• If you have a smaller frame and sleep on your back you will need a low profile pillow
• If you are on the larger side, with broad shoulders and sleep on your side, consider a high profile pillow
• Your mattress influences your pillow choice too, with a firmer mattress requiring a firmer pillow and a softer mattress requiring a softer pillow. 

When purchasing a pillow, consider your sleeping position, medical condition, build and mattress.  Your pillow should compliment these factors and provide you with the right level of comfort and support.  Don’t let the wrong pillow rob you of much needed rest and rejuvenation! 

Compliment your sleep position with Bed King’s comfortable and supporting range of pillows, bedding, mattresses and bedroom furniture available at www.bedking.co.za