{"id":4509,"date":"2022-09-29T06:36:00","date_gmt":"2022-09-29T06:36:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ifoxany.com\/?p=4509"},"modified":"2022-09-29T06:36:26","modified_gmt":"2022-09-29T06:36:26","slug":"whats-the-right-pillow-for-you-heres-how-to-choose","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ifoxany.com\/index.php\/2022\/09\/29\/whats-the-right-pillow-for-you-heres-how-to-choose\/","title":{"rendered":"What\u2019s The Right Pillow For You? Here\u2019s How To Choose"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

If you\u2019ve spent even ten minutes browsing the Internet for a new pillow, you\u2019ve probably noticed there are a lot to choose from. So\u2026 how are you supposed to know which pillow is the right one for you? Well, allow me to take you through my personal process of picking the pillow that\u2019s going to keep your posture healthy, but also satisfy all your unique sleep needs.<\/p>

Some of you may remember my review of the\u00a0Leesa Hybrid pillow, but if not, don\u2019t worry! For this demonstration, I\u2019ll be using the Leesa Hybrid (alongside other sleep accessories) so that you can get a better sense of which type of pillow is perfect for you. Let\u2019s find out how to choose the right pillow!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Okay, let\u2019s start from square one. At the end of the day, your pillow\u2019s\u00a0most<\/em>\u00a0important job is to support you in your go-to sleeping position, all night long. And when I say, \u201csupport,\u201d I don\u2019t just mean that it feels soft and cozy.\u00a0The right pillow should keep your head, neck, and spine, all in neutral alignment, and support the natural curvature of your spine<\/strong>. Keeping a neutral spine not only\u00a0alleviates neck pain, it also relieves pressure throughout your entire body.<\/p>

Pro Tip<\/em><\/strong>:\u00a0If you\u2019re not exactly sure how to tell if your spine is in neutral alignment, check to make sure your ears are in line with your shoulders, and your chin is in line with your sternum.<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"What\u2019s\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Now, here\u2019s the tricky part: each sleeping position requires a different type of pillow in order to maintain healthy posture. But before I tell you exactly what each style of sleeper should look for, don\u2019t forget about the\u00a0fun<\/em>\u00a0part of pillow shopping!\u00a0Once you\u2019ve covered your body\u2019s needs, and you\u2019ve found a pillow that supports a neutral spine, you can dive into all the little details that satisfy your wants<\/strong>. There are, after all, hundreds of pillows out there, so you might as well find the one that\u2019s perfectly suited to you.<\/p>

You see, your sleeping position is just one reflection of your slumber habits, and there\u2019s a lot more to consider when you\u2019re on the hunt for your perfect pillow.\u00a0For example,\u00a0hot sleepers, memory foam fans, eco-friendly folks, and\u00a0latex lovers\u00a0are all likely to want specific types of pillows in order to accommodate their personal preferences<\/strong>. Remember: your pillow should always support a healthy posture, but it should also be compatible with your whole self.<\/p>

That said, I\u2019m going to mix-n-match some of these \u201cwants\u201d with different sleep styles. This way, you can find out exactly how to keep a neutral spine in each sleeping position, and then pick and choose which special features you\u2019d like your pillow to have!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Choosing The Right Pillow for Back Sleepers<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"What\u2019s\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Needs<\/h3>

In order to maintain healthy posture, back sleepers need what I refer to as a \u201chappy medium pillow,\u201d meaning it\u2019s got a\u00a0medium loft<\/strong>, and a\u00a0medium firmness<\/strong>. Additionally, back sleepers might find that pillows filled with materials that conform to pressure (like memory foam, for example), are particularly beneficial. To check out the wide range of available options, take a look at our list of the\u00a0best pillows for back sleepers.<\/p>

You might now be wondering, \u201cBut\u00a0why<\/em>\u00a0do back sleepers need a pillow with medium loft and firmness?\u201d Well, I\u2019m glad you asked. Let\u2019s take a closer look<\/strong>:<\/p>

  • Medium Loft<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 A medium loft is going to help relieve pressure in your neck and shoulders by providing a nice, cushy buffer between you and your mattress.\u00a0If your pillow is too lofty, your head will be craned upwards<\/strong>\u00a0(ouch, my neck!). If it\u2019s not lofty enough, you\u2019re pretty much lying flat on your mattress (well\u00a0this<\/em>\u00a0isn\u2019t comfortable.)<\/li>
  • Medium Firmness<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 A medium firmness will\u00a0keep your head supported enough to be aligned with the spine, and ensure that the pillow won\u2019t flatten<\/strong>\u00a0over the course of the night. If your pillow is too soft, it\u2019s likely to lose its shape under the weight of your head.<\/li>
  • Conform to Pressure<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 Materials designed to tightly conform to pressure can serve to keep the head feeling comfortably cradled, and held in neutral alignment with the neck. Additionally, pillows that feature a tufted top (like we see in the Leesa hybrid pillow)\u00a0are going to provide some extra cushion upon which you can rest your temples<\/strong>\u00a0(many back sleepers sleep with their head tilted to one side).<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"What\u2019s\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

    Now that we know more about the ideal construction of a back sleeper pillow, let\u2019s take a look at some special features that might ease your journey into dreamland. Remember: these features are not mandatory (and they are not specific to back sleeping), but the more you know about the world of sleep accessories, the better equipped you\u2019ll be to find the perfect fit.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

    \n\t\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

    Wants<\/h3>
    • Customizable Support<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 Bedding brands are increasingly designing pillows that sleepers can customize to meet their specific needs. For example, the Leesa Hybrid pillow features a removable middle insert, which allows you to experiment with loft and firmness. Additionally,\u00a0many pillows offer adjustable fills, meaning you can unzip the cover fabric and manipulate the internal stuffing until you\u2019ve found the feel and support that works best for your body<\/strong>. This is particularly helpful for combination sleepers, or folks who are still figuring out what their perfect sleep style is.<\/li>
    • Cooling Qualities<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 Hot sleepers should look for pillows with cooling properties. The Leesa Hybrid, for example, features a cooling gel pad on one side of the pillow, keeping that side chilly all night.\u00a0Meanwhile, sleepers who want their\u00a0whole<\/em>\u00a0pillow to feel icy-crisp should aim for pillows with cool yarn or phase change material woven into the fabric<\/strong>. Phase change material, in particular, is designed to make your pillow feel like it\u2019s been refrigerated \u2014 it\u2019s\u00a0very<\/em>\u00a0cool to the touch.<\/li>
    • Bouncy Support<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 Another thing to think about is the\u00a0kind<\/em>\u00a0of support you want from your pillow.\u00a0Some folks don\u2019t love a slow sink into their pillow, and might feel sort of trapped by body-conforming foam<\/strong>. So, if you prefer a lighter feel and a bouncy response to pressure, aim for pillows filled with\u00a0Dunlop or Talalay latex. These materials provide buoyant, springy support.<\/li><\/ul>

      By now you must be thinking, \u201cWow, I didn\u2019t know my pillow could do all\u00a0that<\/em>!\u201d Well, keep reading because side sleepers are up next.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

      \n\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t

      Choosing The Right Pillow For Side Sleepers<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"What\u2019s\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t
      \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

      Needs<\/h3>

      To keep a neutral spine and healthy posture, side sleepers need a pillow with a\u00a0high loft<\/strong>, and\u00a0firmer support<\/strong>. Side sleepers might also find that fluffable materials like Kapok, or shapeable materials like down, are particularly useful for the lateral position. Here\u2019s why:<\/p>

      • High Loft<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 Most importantly, a pillow with a taller profile is going to prop your head up so that it\u2019s in neutral alignment with your spine.\u00a0Additionally, a lofty pillow will relieve pressure in your shoulder, and make sure that it\u2019s not bearing the brunt of your body\u2019s weight<\/strong>. If you ever feel like your shoulder is deeply digging into your mattress, your pillow might not be lofty enough.<\/li>
      • Firm Support<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 Pillows with a medium firm or firm level of support will serve to keep your head and neck in line with your spine throughout the night.\u00a0If your pillow is too soft, your head will gradually sink down over the course of your 40 winks<\/strong>, throwing your spine out of neutral alignment (hello, stiff neck).<\/li>
      • Fluffy & Shapeable<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 Firmer pillows can take some getting used to, so I suggest searching for fluffable materials like Kapok, down, or down-alternatives. These materials are pretty soft on their own, so make sure your pillow is\u00a0amply<\/em>\u00a0stuffed, and the loft is high.\u00a0But finding a pillow that can be fluffed into a higher loft is often beneficial for side sleepers with broader shoulders<\/strong>. Also, pillows that are easily shaped allow you to reach one arm beneath the pillow in a cozy embrace, which is a go-to move for many side sleepers.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"What\u2019s\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

        Now, if you want to check out a wide range of pillow options, check out my roundup of the\u00a0best pillows for side sleepers. In the meantime, let\u2019s dive into some more specific sleep accessory desires.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

        \n\t\t\t\t
        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

        Wants<\/h3>
        • Moisture-Wicking<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 Just because a pillow is designed to be cooling doesn\u2019t necessarily mean it\u2019s designed to be moisture-wicking, too.\u00a0So, if you\u2019re going through menopause or prone to night sweats, it\u2019s best to aim for fabrics that are naturally absorbent<\/strong>. Polyester,\u00a0Tencel, and bamboo are all great examples of materials that aren\u2019t designed to feel cool to the touch\u2026 but\u00a0will<\/em>\u00a0wick away moisture while you sleep.<\/li>
        • Natural & Organic<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 If you\u2019ve got sensitive skin or are prone to breakouts, sticking with pillows made from all-natural materials might be the way to go.\u00a0Organic cotton, cellulosic fibers, and\u00a0natural latex\u00a0are all good options for sleepers looking for organic, hypoallergenic materials<\/strong>. And remember: you don\u2019t have to choose between the cover fabric and the internal fill. There are many bedding brands that exclusively use natural materials to craft its sleep accessories.<\/li>
        • Breathable Foam<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 There\u2019s a reason memory foam is so popular \u2014 many sleepers can\u2019t get enough of that deep sink and slow response to pressure.\u00a0However, what sleepers\u00a0don\u2019t<\/em>\u00a0always love about memory foam is that it tends to trap body heat<\/strong>. How do we remedy this? Aim for pillows filled with\u00a0shredded<\/em>\u00a0memory foam rather than one solid piece of foam. The individual, popcorn-sized shreds are able to move freely within the pillow\u2019s cover, allowing for much better breathability. This way, the pillow is dissipating your body\u2019s heat, and you\u2019re still enjoying that\u00a0classic memory foam feel.<\/li><\/ul>

          Now we know what back and side sleepers should look for in a pillow, but did you know that many sleepers switch back and forth between\u00a0both<\/em>\u00a0of these positions? If you\u2019re a combination back\/side sleeper, be sure to check out my roundup of the\u00a0best pillows for combo sleepers.\u00a0But here\u2019s a tip: combination sleepers should aim for pillows that feature adjustable fills<\/strong>. This way, you can personalize your pillow to accommodate the positions you sleep in the most.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

          \n\t\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t\t\t

          Choosing The Right Pillow For Stomach Sleepers<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"What\u2019s\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t\t
          \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

          Needs<\/h3>

          When it comes to stomach sleeping, finding the perfect pillow can be a little tricky.\u00a0In fact, some experts suggest avoiding the prone position altogether, as it tends to position the upper cervical spine at end-range rotation or extension<\/strong>. Essentially, this means you\u2019re at greater risk of straining your neck, and putting pressure on your lower back or abdomen. (1)<\/p>

          That said, I consulted physical therapist\u00a0Dr. Keith Poorbaugh\u00a0of the\u00a0Sleepopolis Expert Network, and he told me that,\u201cto mitigate the risk of stomach sleeping for articular pain in the shoulder or spine, the best option is to utilize proper pillow support.\u201d\u00a0And what\u00a0is<\/em>\u00a0proper pillow support for stomach sleepers, exactly? Well, let\u2019s check it out<\/strong>:<\/p>