Do you often wake up with headaches? Are neck, shoulder or arm pain daily struggles in the morning? Do you know that your pillow might be the cause?
Although it seems to be a small matter compared to the mattress, a pillow also plays a vital role in establishing a restorative sleep. Sleeping on the wrong kind of pillow for 7-8 hours can affect your rest and you may even suffer from body aches due to the lack of support. Therefore, finding a good pillow is important and is actually an essential investment for your health!
Everyone has different preferences and sleeping habits, and with the amount of time spent in bed, you want to choose a pillow that suits you. So brush off the ‘one-size-fits-all’, don’t settle for something that brings discomfort! Here’s our pillow guide to help you figure out what kind of pillow you should get.
What are your sleeping patterns and habits?
The first step is to determine what kind of sleeper you are. Do you sleep on your side? On your belly? Do you lie on your back? Or a combination of them all? Knowing the way you sleep tells you what sort of support your neck and spine require when you’re in bed which, in its turn, dictates your pillow selection.
Back sleepers should get pillows that will not push their head forward. When the head is raised too high, it can cause stress to the neck. A soft or thin pillow is good enough to give the support needed for the head and neck.
Stomach sleepers, similar to back sleepers, require flat pillows. Choosing a soft, thinner pillow keeps the neck in a neutral position instead of pushing it backward to an uncomfortable angle which can cause back and neck injury.
Side sleepers will require a higher pillow that aligns the neck and spine. Depending on the width of your shoulder, the ideal thickness of your pillow should fill the space between the neck and the shoulder. Thus, for someone with a wide shoulder, a thicker or firmer pillow is a great option.
Pro tip: Bear in mind that aside from your sleeping position, your mattress firmness also has an effect on your pillow choice. If you sleep on a firm mattress, then your body will not sink as much as when you’re lying on a softer mattress. Therefore, the pillow height required to fill up the space between the neck and shoulder will be different too.
What kind of material should the pillow be?
Beside pillow shape and firmness, you should also consider what is inside. Pillows can be made from a vast range of materials, and each one has different benefits and drawbacks. When selecting your pillow, you have to keep in mind your needs - are you a hot sleeper, are you sensitive towards certain materials, what kind of maintenance level you prefer, and so on.
Here are the main types of pillows based on materials.
Microfiber Pillows
Microfiber is a synthetic fiber and it makes one of the most affordable pillows you will find. Though easily washable, microfiber pillows do not last very long and wear out easily. Sweaty sleepers have to bear in mind that the material is not airy too.
Memory Foam Pillows
Memory foam has been trending in recent years due to its ability to mould into a person’s neck and back, giving good support. Despite the comfort, this synthetic foam is dense and heat-retentive, not suitable for hot and humid climates.
Down/Feather Pillows
As the name describes, feather pillows are soft and can be moulded to suit your neck. Reflecting luxuriousness and sophistication, these pillows unfortunately come at a high unethical price where feathers are often plucked down forcefully from live birds. In addition, it can be quite a hassle to maintain these pillows. Not only professional cleaning is required, the pillows can get flattened easily.
Kapok Pillows
Kapok (or ceiba pentandra) is a vegan and cruelty-free alternative to a down pillow. Derived from ceiba trees, they are soft, eco-friendly and free from toxic materials. However, it is highly flammable and overtime, it will lose its shape. The fine fibre can also trigger allergies for those who have sensitive airways.
Latex Pillows
Latex foam is often confused with memory foam because both contour to the shape of the head and neck. The predominant differentiating factor is the way they are manufactured and how latex “rebounds” after use. Memory foam is a foam made from petroleum, and has a slow release effect when pressure is applied. On the other hand, natural latex is chemical-free and resilient as it is made from the sap of the rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis.
With an open cell structure and pin-core holes, latex pillows provide great ventilation so you will feel comfy throughout the night, especially during hot and humid days. What’s more, you can enjoy a peace of mind with its anti-mould and dust mites resistant features.
Our Heveya® natural organic latex pillow is an ideal pillow that offers ample support and durability. It comes in different firmness options, shapes and sizes to fit your sleeping style and preferences. Though the pillow is on a higher price range among the other types of pillows, it’s a wise investment for your sleep.
Get the best of your sleep
The best way to find your preferred pillow is to take your time to test it in the showroom. At Heveya® Bali, you can approach our sleep consultant to assess your sleeping position and spinal alignment, and recommend which pillow fits you best. If visiting the store is a hassle, you can use our online pillow selector to match you with the right Heveya® pillow.
Putting the right pillow with the right mattress should help you reap the full health benefit of a good night’s sleep. Unsure of how to pick a mattress or where to get one? Check out our Heveya® mattresses that are also made of the same organic certified latex material as our pillows. Investing in a natural organic mattress and pillow is not just healthier for you, but also for the planet!
