While we generally take a special interest in choosing our bed, the choice of our pillow is often made in haste. Yet, the quality of our sleep depends as much on this small piece of bedding as on our mattresses and box springs! Poorly chosen or too infrequently renewed, our pillow can cause back pain, neck pain, allergies, numbness and even snoring. In order to help you find your way among the many models on the market, here is a small guide of the elements to take into consideration in order to choose your pillow and sleep better !
If you sleep on your back
In order to maintain your neck sufficiently without raising it too much, a medium thickness pillow is ideal. The most important thing is to allow your head to be well positioned, so as not to put unnecessary weight on your upper back and spine. Down, synthetic (polyester) or "memory foam" (polyurethane) pillows are ideal for providing the right support. You can also relieve the pressure of your lumbar (lower back) by placing a second pillow under your knees.
If you sleep on your side
People sleeping in the side position should Prefer firm pillows of medium to high thickness. These pillows will better adapt to the shape of the neck and provide the necessary height and support for the head to maintain proper alignment of the spine. The best pillows for this position are made of down, memory foam or synthetic materials of medium to high density. A little extra: placing a soft pillow between your knees will optimize the feeling of comfort by helping to align your hips.
If you sleep on your stomach
When you sleep on your stomach, the best ally for a good sleep is a soft pillow made of synthetic material and as thin as possible, or even no pillow at all! As this position puts a lot of strain on the lumbar region, you may appreciate placing another pillow under your hips to relieve your back.
Other criteria to consider
- For a better comfort, your various sleep problems and your health condition will have to be taken into account in your choice of the thickness and the material of your pillow. Thus, those of you who are prone to back and neck pain will prefer orthopedic pillowsThese pillows are specially designed to support the neck and ensure proper alignment of the spine. People with allergies or asthma should pay attention to the composition of their pillow, avoiding down pillows and choosing hypoallergenic pillows instead. Pregnant women, heavy snorers and people with sleep apnea can also find pillows specifically designed to relieve them.
- Your size will also be a criterion to be taken into account, the different sizes of pillows proposed (small, medium, large) having been imagined to adapt to the curve of the neck of each one.
- Quality: a medium priced pillow will often be of good quality and will have a sufficient life span.
Things to remember
To choose your pillow, the most important criterion will be the position in which you usually sleep. Your sleep and health problems will have to refine your choice of the material and thickness of your pillow. Finally, your size and the quality of the pillow should be taken into consideration. And above all, to benefit from the best possible sleep comfort, don't forget to change your pillow every 1.5 to 2 years to continue to enjoy good support and avoid allergies!
