What’s The Right Pillow For You? Here’s How To Choose
You'd probably be amazed at the number of pillows available if you spend even 10 minutes searching the Internet. How do you choose the right pillow for you? Let me show you how I pick the right pillow for you.
You may have read my review of the Leesa Hybrid pillows. If not, don’t worry. This demonstration will be done with the Leesa Hybrid, along with other accessories for sleep. Let's learn how to choose the best pillow!
Leesa Hybrid Pillow
This pillow's cover is quilted. Inside each pocket, a fluffy down-alternative is placed. The result is a classic cloud-like feeling. Click this link to get 15% off all Leesa products
How do I choose the perfect pillow?
Let's get back to square one. Your pillow's most essential job is to support your preferred sleeping position throughout the night. When I say "support", I don't mean it should feel soft and cozy. A pillow that supports your natural curve should maintain a neutral alignment between your head, neck and spine . A neutral spine not only relieves neck pain but also reduces pressure throughout the body.
Here's the trick: Each sleeping position needs a different pillow to maintain a healthy posture. Before I explain what each type of sleeper needs, let's not forget the fun aspect of pillow shopping. After you have covered all your needs and found a pillow with a neutral spine, it's time to look at the details that suit your needs. There are hundreds of pillows on the market, so it's worth looking around to find one that suits you best.
Your sleeping habits are only one aspect of your sleep. There's so much more to think about when looking for the perfect pillow. For instance, Hot Sleepers, memory-foam lovers , eco-friendly people, and Latex Lovers will all want different types of bulk pillows to suit their individual preferences. Your pillow should support your healthy posture but also fit in with your entire body.
These "wants" can be mixed and matched with other sleep styles. You can then determine how to maintain a neutral spine in each position and pick the features that you want for your pillow.
How to Choose the Right Pillow for Back Sleepers
You have to be there
Back sleepers require a "happy middle pillow" to ensure a healthy position. This means it has a medium loft and a medium stiffness. Back sleepers may find pillows that conform to pressure, such as memory foam, particularly helpful. Check out our list of top pillows for back sleepers to see the full range of options.
Now you might be asking, "But why does a back sleeper need a pillow that is medium firm and lofty?" Let's take an in-depth look.
Medium Loft - A medium loft will help relieve pressure on your neck and shoulders. It provides a comfortable buffer between your mattress and you. A pillow that is too high will cause your head to be lifted. If your pillow is not high enough, it will cause you to lie flat on your bed (that isn’t comfortable.
Medium Firmness - A pillow with a medium firmness will keep the head supported and aligned with your spine. It won't also flatten during the night. Your pillow will lose its shape if it is too soft.
Conform to Pressure - Materials that are designed to closely conform to pressure can help keep the head in a comfortable position and maintain a neutral alignment with the neck. Pillows with a tufted top (such as the Leesa hybrid pillow ) will provide extra cushion on which to rest your temples. Many back sleepers have their heads tilted one way or another.
Let's now learn more about the perfect construction of a back-sleeper pillow. Now let's look at some features that may help you get to your destination. These features aren't mandatory and they don't apply to back sleeping. However, the more you learn about sleep accessories the easier it will be for you to find the right fit.
Are you looking for something?
Customizable support -- More and more bedding brands are creating pillows that can be customized to suit individual needs. The Leesa Hybrid pillow, for example, has a removable middle insert that allows you to adjust the loft and firmness. Many pillows have adjustable fills. This means that you can take the cover fabric off and adjust the inner stuffing to get the best support for you . This is especially helpful for people who sleep in a combination or are still trying to find their ideal sleep style.
Cooling Qualities - Hot sleepers should choose pillows with cooling properties. For example, the Leesa Hybrid has a cooling gel pad on one end of the pillow that keeps it chilly throughout the night. Those who desire their entire pillow feel cool and crisp should look for pillows made with cool yarns or phase change material woven in the fabric. The phase change material is specifically designed to make your pillow feel cool and refreshing.
Bouncy Support -- You should also consider the type support you need from your pillow. Some people don't like a slow sink in their pillows and may feel trapped by the body-conforming foam. If you want a pillow with Dunlop and Talalay latex, then this is the right choice for you. These materials offer buoyant and springy support.
You may be thinking now, "Wow! My pillow can do all this!" Keep reading, side sleepers are next.
How to Choose the Right Pillow for Side Sleepers
You have to be there
Side sleepers should have a pillow with a high-loft and firmer support to maintain a healthy spine and posture. For side sleepers, fluffable materials such as Kapok or shapeable materials such down might be particularly helpful. Here's why:
High Loft -- The most important thing is to make sure your head is in neutral alignment with your spine with a pillow that has a higher profile. A lofty pillow can relieve pressure on your shoulder and ensure that it doesn't bear the brunt of your body weight. Your pillow may not be high enough if your shoulder feels like it is digging into the mattress.
Firm Support - Pillows that are medium or firm in support will keep your neck and head aligned with your spine all night. A pillow that is too soft will cause your head to sink over the 40-minute period, causing your spine to become stiff (hello, stiff neck).
Shapeable -- Firmer pillows may take some time to get used to. I recommend looking for fluffable materials such as Kapok, down or down-alternatives. These materials can be quite soft by themselves, so ensure your pillow is well stuffed and has a high loft. Side sleepers with wider shoulders will benefit from a pillow that has a higher loft. Side sleepers love the ability to hug the pillow with one arm, thanks to pillows that can be easily shaped.
If you're interested in a broad selection of pillows, I have compiled a list of the top pillows for side sleepers. Let's now look at some specific sleep accessories.
Are you looking for something?
Moisture-Wicking - Just because a pillow claims to be cooling, it doesn't mean that it is also moisture-wicking. If you are experiencing menopause, or are prone to night sweats it is best to choose fabrics that are naturally absorbed. Tencel and bamboo are great examples of fabrics that don't feel cool to your skin... but will wick moisture away while you sleep.
Natural and Organic -- If your skin is sensitive or prone to breakouts, pillows made of all-natural materials may be the best option. Organic cotton and cellulosic fibres are good choices for those who want organic, hypoallergenic material . You don't need to choose between the inner and cover fabrics. Many bedding brands only use natural materials for their sleep accessories.
Breathable foam -- Many people love the deep sink and slow pressure response of memory foam. But, what sleepers hate about memory foam is its tendency to trap body heat. This is what we can do to fix it. Instead of one piece of foam, choose pillows that are filled with shredded foam memory foam. You will have better airflow because the individual, popcorn-sized pieces of foam can move freely inside the pillow's cover. The pillow's cover allows for heat dissipation, so you can still enjoy the classic memory foam feeling.
We now know what side and back sleepers should look out for in a pillow. But did you know that many people switch between one or both positions while sleeping? My roundup of the best pillows for combination sleepers will help you choose the right pillow. Here's a tip for combination sleepers: Look out for pillows with adjustable fills You can customize your pillow to suit the position you prefer.
You have to be there
It can be difficult to find the right pillow for stomach sleeping. Experts recommend that you avoid the prone position entirely. It positions the upper cervical spine at the end-range rotation or extension. This means that you run the risk of straining your neck and placing pressure on your abdomen or lower back. (1)
Dr. Keith Poorbaugh, a Sleepopolis Expert Network physical therapist, told me that proper pillow support is the best way to reduce the risk of stomach pain for articular pain in your shoulder or spine. Let's find out.
Low Loft -- To maintain a neutral spine alignment, stomach-sleepers need a pillow with low loft (two inches) or less. A pillow with a loft that is too low will cause your head to be raised and your posture will suffer Your pillow should conform to the natural curve of your spine.
Soft Support - Pillows with soft support will provide a cushion between your mattress and you, while also keeping your head from being too elevated. A firmer pillow will make it more likely that your neck is out of alignment with your spine. This can lead to soreness.
Compressible fill -- For stomach sleepers, pillows filled with feathers and down alternatives are great. Why? These materials can be compressed to a very low loft. These materials are also extremely shapeable which makes them ideal for stomach sleepers who prefer to hug the underside of the pillow. A pillow with adjustable loft is a plus, since you can reduce the loft as needed.
Check out my roundup of the best pillows for stomach-sleepers. Let's look at some other features that you may want in your pillow before we do.
Are you looking for something?
Pillowcase Priority -- Pillows can be made in specific shapes to support particular body types or positions. Pillowcases are not recommended for people who prefer this design. If your shams are silky and decorative, you might want to choose a pillow with a traditional shape. If you do not want to use a pillowcase, choose cover fabrics that are hypoallergenic and smooth like Tencel or organic cotton.
No Animal Products -- Down is great for stomach sleepers, as it's flexible and can be compressed to a low loft. But not everyone wants to sleep on animals products. What can we do? Down alternatives such as micro-denier or poly gel fiber feel just like down but are made without any animal testing. This is a benefit for people who value easy care. Down alternative pillows can be machine washed (whereas foam usually needs to be spot cleaned).
Socially Conscious brand -- Do you want your pillow to be more than just a good night's sleep? Bedding brands that participate in social impact programs are worth looking into. Leesa donates bedding and mattresses to local shelters and plants one tree per mattress it sells. They aren’t the only ones. You'll be surprised at how many bedding brands are involved with charitable initiatives.
Last Thoughts
You know what I mean, people? There is an almost endless supply of pillows, but it can be a positive thing if you know what to search for. Now you know what to look out for. You should remember to keep your sleeping position healthy. Once you have that down, you can start exploring the different functions that your pillow can do. Sleep well and enjoy your sleep. Sleepopolis is here to help you if you feel lost in all the options.