Pillow Talk: How Your Choice of Pillow Impacts Your Health and Well-being
Getting a good night’s rest is essential for your well-being. Quality slumber boosts your mental performance, mood, and health. The risk of diseases increases when you don’t sleep well regularly.
Do you know that pillows make a difference between a restful night, and a disruptive one? How often do you wake to fluff or adjust your pillow to get comfortable?
Everyone has a unique sleeping position, so it’s important to identify the best pillow for you. Is there such a thing as an ideal pillow?
Explore the qualities of a perfect pillow and how it impacts your sleep and health. Let’s dive in.
How sleep impacts your health
In today’s hectic life, many people don’t realize that quality sleep is as vital as diet and exercise. It’s essential for your mental and physical well-being.
Your body repairs itself when you sleep. Your brain plays a critical role in this process, according to Dr. Maiken Nedergaard. She researches sleep at the University of Rochester.
Dr. Nedergaard says that your brain works while you slumber. Rest helps it to learn, create, and remember.
The brain also acts like the kidney, removing toxins from your system. Sleep is the time everything in your body uses for repair. That’s according to Dr. Kenneth Wright, Jr., a University of Colorado sleep researcher.
These vital processes don’t perform effectively, if you don’t sleep enough.
How the right pillow improves your sleep
Although many factors influence sleep quality, maintaining proper posture is vital. You may experience neck and back pain if your spine isn’t aligned when you slumber. This condition arises when you lie on a poor-quality bed. Using unsuitable pillows for sleeping is another factor.
Ergonomics matter when it comes to pillows. A good one supports your head and neck. It prevents your neck from prolonged and excessive bending while you sleep.
Below are some indications that you may need a new pillow.
- You don’t get quality sleep
- Waking up with a stiff neck or in pain
- Not feeling well-rested in the morning
- Your ear or inner ear hurts
- Snoring
Here are some ways that the right pillow helps to improve your sleep.
- Offers comfort: You’ll sleep better if you don’t keep adjusting your pillow to get comfortable.
- Reduces snoring: Strained neck muscles may cause snoring, disrupting your sleep. The right pillow supports your neck and keeps the airways open, reducing snoring.
- Relieves tension: Headaches and pain affect your sleep quality. A good pillow distributes your body weight more evenly, reducing discomfort.
Choosing the best pillow
Finding your best pillow requires an understanding of its function. It supports your head and neck, keeping them aligned with your spine. The ideal pillow must perform this role in any position, as most people move about when they sleep.
Below, we’ve listed a few other factors to consider.
Sleeping position
Whether you prefer to sleep on your side, back, or front, you need a pillow that provides a specific loft.
- Side sleepers: You need the most support if you sleep on your side. Sleep on a pillow that keeps your head, neck, and shoulders in a neutral position.
- Back sleepers: Choose a pillow that’s not too lofty or thin. Your neck shouldn’t arch too far upward or sink too deep. The pillow must fit the natural curve of your neck and keep it and your spine aligned.
- Tummy sleepers: You risk elevating and hurting your head and neck when you sleep on your stomach. Thinner pillows are ideal to prevent such problems.
Pillow fill
The fill is the most important aspect of the pillow, as it impacts support and comfort. The best pillow should use a material that benefits your sleeping position.
Here are the options to consider.
Down: This is a feathery fluff from the underbelly of a goose or duck. The material makes pillows soft and breathable. It’s like sleeping on a cloud. You may opt for a firmer fill if you need more support. Down pillows are generally expensive.
Feathers: This fill also comes from a duck or goose but from their outer layer. Feathers are flatter with quills. Pillows with a mix of feathers and down are less costly. Ensure the cover prevents the quills from poking through.
Down alternative: These are pillows with a polyester fill to mimic natural down. They’re less expensive and hypoallergenic.
Memory foam: This polyurethane foam comes in solid or cluster form. It provides excellent support as it ‘remembers’ the ideal spot for your head and neck.
Latex: The natural material comes from the rubber tree and is available as solid or clusters. The pillows offer more bounce than memory foam and maintain their shape for many years.
Wool: These pillows are breathable and soft but don’t provide much support. Pillows with wool filling tend to flatten or clump over time.
Pillow size
Size matters when buying a pillow. Many people select pillows based on their bed size. Choosing a large one because you sleep on a king-sized bed can lead to pain. It may look proportionate to your bed, but isn’t good for your sleep posture.
Your pillow should correspond to your body size. One that’s too small or big can hurt your neck and affect sleep quality. An unsuitable pillow can straighten your spine, causing pain.
The best pillow should allow a neck roll. This movement helps maintain and improve your spine’s normal C-curve. A contoured pillow is better than a flat one as it offers better head and neck support.
Pillow fabric
Pillow covers serve more than a decorative function. They protect you from dust and bacteria and keep the pillow clean. It’s easier to wash a pillowcase than a pillow.
Ensure the fabric is thick if you use a down pillow to prevent the quill from poking through. While decorative pillows brighten up your room, avoid using them to sleep. The stitches and beads can irritate your skin.
The ideal material prevents skin issues by retaining moisture, reducing friction, and protecting against allergic reactions.
Some fabrics absorb your body’s natural oils, resulting in drier skin and mane when you wake up. Choose a material that helps your hair and skin retain moisture during slumber.
A smooth texture reduces friction even if you toss and turn a lot. You minimize the risk of tangled, frizzy hair and wrinkles. This fabric type benefits people with sensitive skin.
Innovative pillow design
Finding the best pillow used to be a challenge. Not anymore. Our Sleepgram Adjustable Pillow allows all sleeper types to enjoy a comfortable slumber.
Here’s why our 3-in-1 Adjustable Pillow meets the criteria of the best pillow.
- We fill our pillows with a microfiber-polyester alternative to down. They provide better ventilation and alignment than other foams.
- You can customize the loft, as our pillows come with two inserts. Use the soft one to feel like sleeping on a cloud. Swap it for the more firm one if you prefer added support. Adjust the pillow to your comfort by adding or removing the inserts.
- Our pillows allow you to adjust the height to perfectly align your neck and spine.
- The 100% cotton outer layer has nano-fibers, 1/10th the size of a human hair, to keep your face cool while you sleep.
- Our dust mite-resistant and hypoallergenic pillows are perfect for people with allergies.
- You may wash the pillows in the washing machine.
Pillow care tips
Caring for your pillow is vital to keeping it in excellent condition. Regular use makes it accumulate mold, fungus, old dead skin cells, and dust mites. This is why we recommend you replace your pillow every two years even if it still provides support.
Meanwhile, here are some pillow care steps to include in your routine.
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Fluff your pillow daily. It only takes a few minutes to remove dust and restore its shape.
- Hang your pillow on a clothesline in the sun for a few hours to rid dust mites.
- Wash your pillow every 4–6 months or when it’s dirty. Check if your pillow is machine-washable. Remember to dry it out completely afterward to avoid mildew.
- Using a pillow protector keeps your pillow clean longer. Remove the pillowcase and wash it weekly.
- Check your pillow regularly to ensure it provides enough support. It’s a sign to replace it if it feels lumpy or uncomfortable. A good rule of thumb is to get a new pillow every two years.
What our satisfied customers say
Although we’re proud of our innovative adjustable pillow, don’t take our word for it. Here are some unedited online testimonials from our customers:
Chris: “Just washed and with just the large insert. I've had these pillows for about 4 years. The best pillows I've ever had. I would ever get anything else.”
KYLE VAN E.: “We really enjoy these pillows. Went from having pain in my neck and shoulders to no pain!”
Janice T.: “Love these pillows! No neck pain, no headaches!”
Michele H.: “Omg! The first night I could tell a tremendous difference! Woke up the next morning with NO neck pain for the first time since maybe forever! Thank you so much for such an awesome pillow! I’m hooked!”
Robert C.: “Fantastic! My neck pain is GONE. I set it up for medium. Puts all the other pillows to shame. Thanks.”
Wendy G.: “I have never slept on a pillow as nice as this one. My neck pain and morning headaches have disappeared. I am 72 years old.”
Rose: “Best ever. The unique concept of having various inserts to fit a person’s needs is innovative to say the least. I’m sleeping better and no more neck strain when I wake up. Superior quality and customer support”
Why you should get a Sleepgram pillow
Quality sleep is vital to your health. A proper pillow that aligns your head, neck, and spine helps you get the rest you need without aches and pains.
Our Sleepgram pillow is ideal as you can adjust the height and firmness to maintain a proper posture. The pillows are dust mite-resistant and hypoallergenic. There’s a minimal risk of allergies and skin issues.
We use fabric that keeps you cool, enabling you to sleep comfortably. Our machine-washable pillows make cleaning a breeze.
We offer a 5-year warranty, guaranteeing that our pillows won’t go flat.
Browse our pillows and place your order at www.sleepgram.com.
Your satisfaction is our priority. If you’re unhappy with our pillow, return it within 100 days. We’ll refund your money, no questions asked. Contact our customer support via email or call toll-free for a fast response.