It is very important to make this decision correctly, choosing the right product for you to avoid many problems such as tiredness or back pain, which can later lead to serious health issues. Buying the right pillow is as important as choosing a good bed base or a good mattress.
The pillow keeps the spine straight during the rest of the body and mind for many hours. In specific cases of certain backs, it is possible to sleep without one, but most of the time its use is essential.
With a good pillow you can avoid: snoring, back pain, neck, shoulder, arm, cervical pain, breathing problems, insomnia, nightmares, and tiredness among other problems.
PILLOW MATERIALS:
Possibly the most important element of a pillow is the material it is made of. They can be natural or not, treated or untreated, soft…
Some of the most common and recommended materials are the following:
Feather Pillows
Pillows filled with feathers are comfortable and very pleasant. They are the traditional ones. They have some problems as they can cause some allergies and are not the most hygienic. In summer they are the worst as they tend to be very hot. The price ranges between 15 and 60 euros.
Latex Pillows
Latex cushions adapt well to the body contour and provide good support to the neck and back. They allow a good cervical position. Their material is one of the most hygienic and can be washed without problem. Their price is usually high.
Synthetic Fiber Pillows
They are very economical and not very durable. They are firm and a bit thick. Fiber pillows can be washed but may lose their shape. This cushion is recommended for sleeping on your back and they tend to be fresh and breathable. Their price usually ranges from 7 to 30 euros.
Viscoelastic Pillows
These cushions have great adaptability. With them, cervical rest is greater than with any other type. They are thermo-sensitive; when cold they are a bit hard but with body heat contact they become softer. Their price usually ranges from about 20 euros to about 60.
Viscoelastic Aloe Vera Pillows
A viscoelastic aloe vera pillow has a treatment on the outer layer of the pillow with aloe vera resin, as its name indicates. Aloe vera produces a resin that has properties for skin cell regeneration, hydration, etc.
Gel Pillows
They are possibly the cushions with the greatest adaptability on the current market. It could be said they are specially designed for hot sleepers since the gel layer they have is to achieve freshness and lower the temperature.
SLEEPING POSTURE
Just like mattresses or pillows, posture is also very important to achieve better rest.
But we know it is difficult to change habits; luckily, we have pillows that adapt to our sleeping posture.
Sleeping on your side:
This is the way most people choose to sleep. The ideal pillow for sleeping this way should be medium, neither too soft nor too hard; neither too high nor too thin. It is very important to keep the spine aligned this way. If sleeping on your side, it is recommended to adopt the fetal position, as the back rests better and respiratory problems during sleep are avoided since it prevents the airways from closing.
Sleeping on your back:
This is the most correct posture but, anyway, we must pay attention to the pillow. It should be low, but not too much, and not too soft. The head should be slightly tilted back to breathe better and avoid airway closure.
Sleeping on your stomach:
This is possibly the worst posture for resting, as it is a forced posture because we have to turn the head to breathe, which can lead to neck pain. For people who sleep in this posture, a soft and not very wide pillow is recommended, allowing the head to stay aligned with the body.
PILLOWS FOR SPECIFIC SITUATIONS
Children:
Children’s rest is one of the main concerns of parents.
Babies should not sleep with a pillow during their first years as they could suffocate; however, they can sleep on a very small-sized pillow. When they are about two years old, they can start using one that is thin and a bit firm, which helps them sleep more comfortably and slightly elevates their head, improving their posture. Pillows should be made of cotton over any other material.
Pillows for pregnant women:
The time when a woman is pregnant is beautiful, but as the pregnancy progresses, it becomes increasingly difficult to sleep and rest, as it is hard to find a comfortable position. Fortunately, there is a solution to this problem.
The use of pillows specially designed for pregnant women is a great alternative to conventional pillows to achieve a more peaceful sleep and better rest.
Health professionals recommend pregnant women sleep on their side, specifically the left side, with knees slightly bent, to increase the amount of oxygen reaching the baby. Pregnancy pillows help achieve this posture more comfortably and pleasantly thanks to their ergonomic structure.
Ergonomic or orthopedic pillows:
The best way to relieve pressure from the entire upper body are these pillows. They have specific shapes to adapt more easily. In this group of large pillows, we find cervical pillows. This type of cushion can even relieve headaches and migraines.
HYGIENE AND CARE
It is very important to keep the cushion clean and free of mites to avoid allergies or other health problems.
The first thing to do to keep the cushion clean is to put a cover on it; this will prevent stains and can be washed without problems.
Another tip to care for the cushion is to establish a daily routine of shaking it to avoid dust accumulation.
Depending on the cushion’s manufacturing material, it can also be washed in the washing machine.
Finally, it is recommended to change our cushions every 2-3 years to avoid mite accumulation.
OUR RECOMMENDATION
