Choosing the right pillow for you is a very important decision that one has to make. A majority of people use the hit and miss technique when buying pillows which involves buying as many pillows as possible until they find one they are comfortable with. However, this method can be very expensive not to mention it can lead to added tension and stress to your upper back and your neck.

Importance of having the right pillow

One of the major causes of neck and back problems is incorrect spinal posture and 1/3 of your life is spent in sleep which makes correct sleeping posture very important. Your joints and muscles will be affected if your pillow is the wrong height and in some cases, snoring and breathing problems can be caused by incorrect neck and head positioning. Incorrect sleeping posture can prevent you from having a good night’s sleep and also result in headaches and neck stiffness.

Qualities of a good pillow

A good pillow should be designed to support the neck and head in a neutral position of alignment with the rest of the spine. The required height of the pillow will depend on the position you sleep in which should either be on your back or your side depending on your spinal health.

Your pillow should provide continual support to your head and neck without the constant need to adjust your sleeping position to achieve comfort. There should be no space between the pillow and your neck.

A good pillow will provide your head and neck with support all through the night giving you a good night’s sleep.

Choosing the right pillow

Your pillow can affect how you go about your day and you wouldn’t even know it. It affects the way your neck and your spine align which could put more strain on or alleviate your back, induce headaches or affect how restful your sleep is overall.

For you to ascertain the best pillow for you will need to consider the position you sleep in for most of the night as well as the shape of your spine.

Stomach sleepers

People who sleep on their stomachs do not require as much support for their heads when sleeping. The thinner the pillow is, the better seeing as it will keep the head from rising too much which will put a strain on the neck. Most of the time, stomach sleepers find comfort from placing a pillow under their stomachs to keep lower back pain at bay.

Side sleepers

Such sleepers need a contoured pillow which offers firm support. It is healthy in some instances for side sleepers to place a pillow between their legs which allows the spine to remain aligned and leaves the back less strained from this sleeping position.

Back sleepers

A flat, thin pillow is recommended for such sleepers as it supports the spine and the head. Wedge pillows are excellent for providing such support.

Did You Know? A pillow that’s been used for three years has dried the sweat and saliva and dried skin, as well as dead and live dust musts which are very powerful allergens and can also trigger and aggravate allergies.

Choosing the right pillow is just as important as choosing the right bed.