The Benefits of Using Pillows While Sleeping

UNION CITY, N.J. - April 25, 2013 - PRLog -- It might seem at first that a pillow is nothing more than an object on which you rest your head before falling asleep. What if your pillow could actually affect the quality of your sleep? Would you consider making changes to the importance you give to your pillow selection?

Some basics in choosing a good pillow:

The obvious statement is to choose a pillow that will not only support your neck but also your head and upper spine. Your choice of pillow is an essential part of getting a great night’s sleep that will ultimately allow you to wake up feeling refreshed instead of tired and groggy. Getting sufficient sleep is not only essential for your health, but it will also help you age well.

Do you know how to choose a pillow that will offer a better night’s sleep?

When you set foot into the linen and bedding section of a department store to look for pillows, you might as well be reading Egyptian hieroglyphics because the array of choices can be confusing. The best scenario in selecting the best pillow would be to break down the choices into more manageable, understandable parts so you can get a clear picture of your options.

So how do you go about making sense of all of your options in choosing the right pillow for you?

Are you a back sleep or do you sleep in a fetus position? Maybe you are more comfortable lying on your stomach. The pillow you choose should reflect your maintain sleeping style because each position needs a different level of pillow support.
Stomach sleepers, you only need a relatively flat pillow for support, just to keep your head and neck in alignment with your spine.

Side sleepers, you require a pillow that will support your neck and head to ensure that your spine is relaxed in a horizontal position. If just your head or neck is tilted, you could suffer from headaches and other problems.

Back sleepers need a pillow that will support the head, neck, shoulders and spine. Your cervical spine has a natural curve in it and the pillow should conform to that curve for maximum comfort and protection.

Your personal preference guides you on this particular portion of choosing the right pillow for your needs. Stomach sleepers typically want a softer pillow whereas back or side sleepers need a firmer choice of pillow. What constitutes firm is the amount of filling in the pillow, whether is foam, feathers or other material. The more material you have, obviously the firmer the pillow.

If you have allergies, then you want to consider any pillow that is deemed hypoallergenic. In the old days, that meant you couldn’t even consider having a goose down or feather pillow. These days with ultra-cleaning techniques, this option is absolutely possible for allergy sufferers.

Latex pillows are also available. Latex offers up a contoured pillow that works for supporting the neck and head thus avoiding undue pressure on the spine. In terms of pillow filers, you’ll be able to choose among the following:

-   Cotton and wool pillows
-   Memory foam pillows
-   Water-filler pillows
-   Buckwheat pillows

What your pillow is created encased in is also of importance. Some people prefer a zipped up casing that protects the pillow itself from stains and protects the user from any errant feathers sticking out or faint fumes from foam pillows. These enclosed casing also help allergy sufferers as well by protecting them from any dust mites harboring in the pillow. Others will use a regular old pillowcase to cover their pillows, in a variety of materials like flannel or cotton.

Usually there are two main sizes – a standard and a king size. Keep the size of your bed into account when shopping for pillows, but don’t rule out your personal preference for size either.  Some side sleepers like the long pillows, also known as body pillows. They will sleep hugged up against the pillow with a leg thrown over it for comfort.

So next time you are tempted to skimp at a pillow after taking a quick glance at the price, you might remember that your pillow greatly affects the quality of your sleep. Spend the extra money on a good quality pillow that will make a world of a difference. After all, we spend 1/3 of our lives in bed, we might as well make that time as comfortable as possible.

Visit http://pillowforbettersleep.com/ for details.