There are few things worse than waking up in the morning with a stiff neck or buying a new pillow only for it to become as flat as a pancake after only a few months, right?
Choosing the right type of pillows is arguably up there with being as important as choosing a mattress. The right pillows will support your spine, but will also aid the quality sleep that you’re getting each night.
Quite often we can be easily influenced by a cheaper price point, but the extra time and money that goes into choosing the right pillows for YOU will be the best investment of time and money that you make.
Fed up of getting poor quality sleep and a sore neck in the process? We caught up with the sleep experts at Simba Sleep to get the low down on what to look for when buying pillows.
How To Choose The Right Pillows For Better Sleep
Why Is Choosing The Right Pillow So Important?
Choosing the right pillow is crucial because it ensures proper spinal alignment, reducing neck and back pain. A good pillow enhances comfort and sleep quality, helping you wake up refreshed and without discomfort.
It also supports proper breathing, which can reduce snoring and symptoms of sleep apnea, contributing to better overall health.
Simba Sleep added, “A good pillow will provide the right level support for your neck and spine. But that’s not the only factor that makes a pillow right for you. Here’s what to look out for when you’re searching for one:
– It should be supportive and comfortable.
– It should work for you whatever position you lie in – side, front or back.
– It should be made from breathable materials.
– It should be easy to clean, with removable, washable covers”.
How Many Pillows Is Best?
I spent so many years sleeping on 2 sub standard pillows and constantly waking up with a sore neck and shoulder. It was only when I tried the Hybrid Pillows by Simba Sleep that I realised how wrong I had been doing this sleeping thing for so many years. But ultimately, it does come down to having that one right pillow that is supportive enough on its own.
Simba Sleep said, “Whilst sleeping with two or more pillows can be a popular choice, less is actually best. In fact, a single, high quality pillow is all you need”.
Simba Sleep also explained that there are a couple of reasons why opting for one pillow is beneficial, and as we mentioned earlier, this is all to do with keeping your neck, spine, and head in a comfortable neutral alignment. The way that you sleep can also affect this position and how many pillows is considered your ideal.
Firstly, if you’re sleeping with multiple pillows, your spine and neck may end up being curved upwards. The additional wadding pushes these areas away from their neutral alignment, resulting in waking up with soreness.
On the other hand, sleeping on multiple pillows can cause them to flatten over time. This can lead to your spine and neck curving downwards due to inadequate support, which can again result in waking up with neck and back pain. This totally explains why my pillows got flat so quickly, and why my neck constantly suffered. I do also suffer from asthma and a cough at night times so I did try to keep myself well propped up at night, but it’s had the reverse effect on my sleep!
Since switching to their Hybrid Pillow I have consistently been tracking an improvement in my sleep through my Fitbit with a higher sleep score each night, and I’m no longer waking up with a stiff neck. It really does give personalised comfort whilst actually helping me sleep better too. It seems too good to be true, but it really does work!
What Types of Pillows Are There?
There are a huge range of types of pillows on the market that all have their pros and cons. Some of the most popular types include, Hybrid pillows, polyester, memory foam, feather/down, buckwheat and latex pillows.
Memory foam pillows are made from viscoelastic foam that moulds to the shape of your head and neck, providing excellent support and alignment. They are ideal for people with neck and back pain as they help maintain proper spinal alignment.
Hybrid pillows are a fresher, and more adaptable approach to memory foam. They are designed for personalised comfort with a unique fusion of superb, down-like cushioning with innovative tech. They often come with a detachable cover too, yes pillows have pillow cases, but they do get dirty over time whilst also collecting dust and allergens.
Feather and down pillows are most commonly seen on the high street, loved for their affordable cost. They are filled with feathers or down (the soft underlayer of feathers). They are soft, lightweight, and easily mouldable, making them a popular choice for those who like to fluff and adjust their pillow frequently.
Their main drawback is that they need constant fluffing to retain their shape and they’re the type of pillow that over time will become as flat as a pancake. If you’re looking for longevity, these aren’t the best type of pillows to choose.
It all comes down to preference of what you choose, but remember to think about how you sleep at night and how the pillows you choose can best support that.
Ultimately, choosing the right pillows all comes down to how YOU sleep and adapting your pillows to support that.
Hybrid pillows are an option that are well suited to most sleepers, you only need the one pillow and they come with a washable cover so you can keep on top of allergens and dust that occurs over time too. I love mine!
Any questions about choosing the right pillows? Leave a comment below and I’ll come straight back!