Whether you wake up with a face expression pleasantly saying “ahh”, instead of “ow” has much to do with the pillow you sleep on. It doesn’t matter whether you get the much needed dose of z’s throughout the night (7-9 hours), whether you’re a new parent who’s constantly being woken up during the night, or a student cramming for the finals, the pillow you sleep on is a huge piece in the slumber puzzle. Choose the wrong one and you’ll end up trading winks of sleep for turning and tossing. Here are some useful tips to bear in mind as you shop for the right headrest.
Decide on the Type
- If you prefer the feeling of being cradled, go for a malleable goose down or feather filling. Choose these if you want to keep yourself warm throughout the night as they retain warmth and will help you feel more cozy during winter time. Also,pay attention to the fill power (it should be found on the label of the pillow). The fill power refers to the amount of filling the pillow has – the more filling, the plumper and longer-lasting the pillow will be.
- What makes the bamboo memory foam pillow different from the rest is its cover and shredded memory foam. Most memory foam pillows contain solid chunks of material and their high-density can have a lot of negative effects among which the most common one is the heat retention which makes them hot and uncomfortable to use. The bamboo memory foam pillow however, is filled with shredded memory foam which helps to naturally regulate thermo temperatures and consequently makes the pillow highly breathable. Its covers are quite soft, can wick moisture away from the skin, resist odour retention and naturally dry faster than other fabrics. Plus, since bamboo is naturally harvested, it contains no pesticides or other harmful chemicals.
- Polyester is also a choice to consider as it can provide good support and can hold its shape well. Polyester pillows come in various levels of firmness, so you can choose the one that suits your sleeping patterns best. Also, they can be machine washed and dried. Nevertheless, polyester is the least durable option among all these materials and it may feel warm and uncomfortable on hot days since it does not breathe well. You’d need to replace these pillows every year or two as their fibres compress and make the pillow uncomfortable and flat. Plus, it can harbor mites and dust.
How Big Is Big Enough?
There are three factors you will need to bear in mind when choosing the size of your pillow: how many pillows you will need, how you will use them, and of course, the size of your bed. The pillow size should roughly correspond to your mattress – standard, queen or king. Nevertheless, that does not necessarily mean you are obliged to play by the rules. If you have a smaller bed, you can also go with an oversized pillow to make yourself feel cosier and as if hugging a fluffy teddy bear. Or, on the other hand, if you want your bed space to be taken up as less as possible by pillows, place standard ones on your king-size mattress. Buy smaller size pillows if you want to create a cozy nook and prop yourself against pillows while reading or just resting your head. Create your own kind of fluffy paradise.
What’s Your Sleeping Position?
Don’t forget that the way you sleep will affect the height of your pillow as different sleeping positions need different types of support. People who usually sleep on their back and stomach should go for a flatter pillow as this type will help keep their neck properly aligned. For those sleeping on one side, a loftier pillow which fills the gap between the neck and the head would be a much better choice. Choose your comfort level – it’s entirely up to you how you will wake up – whether refreshed or grumpy.
