How to choose the perfect pillow for a good night’s sleep

At risk of sounding like a fairy story, you need a pillow that is not too high, but not too low, not too soft but not too firm, something that is just right!  

The right pillow will provide the right level of support for your head and neck, keep your spine in alignment, and help you wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day.  

Back sleepers

• Opt for a medium loft, and a medium firmness.  
• You may find that pillows filled with materials that conform to pressure (like memory foam, for example), are particularly beneficial.
• A medium loft will help relieve pressure in the neck and shoulders and a medium firmness will keep your head supported to align with your spine.
• Contour/curved pillows can also be beneficial for extra neck support and shoulder pressure relief.  

Side sleepers

• Choose a medium-firm, high loft pillow.
• Pillows with a medium firm or firm level of support will keep your head and neck in line with your spine throughout the night. 
• If your pillow is too soft, your head will gradually sink down over the course of your 40 winks, throwing your spine out of neutral alignment.
• Contour/curved pillows can also be beneficial for extra neck support and shoulder pressure relief.  

Stomach sleepers

• Opt for a soft pillow with a low loft – around 5cm.
• If your pillow’s loft is even slightly too high, your head will be craned upwards, and your whole posture will be thrown out of whack.  
• The firmer the pillow, the more likely it is for your neck to be lifted out of alignment with your spine.

High quality pillow fillings:

• Memory foam pillows are made from a material that conforms to the shape of your head and neck. They provide excellent support and are ideal for people who sleep on their back or side.
• Down/feather pillows are lightweight, fluffy and provide excellent comfort, but may not provide enough support for people with neck pain.
• Latex pillows are made from natural or synthetic latex. They are firm and provide excellent support for people who sleep on their back or side. They also have the advantage of being hypoallergenic and dust mite resistant.

Happy pillow hunting!

Once you have found your pillow match:

Helpful hints for a good night's sleep

4 ways to faster sleep

You should also wash your pillows on a regular basis!

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