How to choose a pillow for sleeping

A sound and healthy sleep affects the well-being and condition of a person. The quality of this process is influenced by many factors. It is not only the time of going to bed that is important, but also the pillow on which you have to sleep. The health of a person, his position during sleep, depends on its quality. Therefore, you need to figure out how to choose a pillow and what to pay special attention to.

Features and varieties of pillows

The pillow allows you to keep your body in the correct position. The spine should be straight, the muscles relaxed, and there are no unnatural postures or twisting. It is this position that is considered healthy and suitable for sound sleep.

The best sleep pillows come in several varieties. They have some features that must be considered when choosing.

Classic, anatomical, orthopedic

The classic model is one of the most common. It combines firmness and softness. It can be square or rectangular with natural filling or synthetic.

The classic version relieves pressure on the cervical spine, height adjustable. You can choose the right model for filler, size and stiffness.

Understanding which are the best orthopedic pillows for sleeping, you should understand that they are intended for people who need treatment or prevention of various problems with the neck and spine. Therefore, it is worth purchasing it only on the recommendation of a doctor. This model has a special shape that allows you to give the spine and neck the correct position when a person is lying.

The anatomical model is made of a special material that allows it to adapt to the features of the body shape, bends of the neck and spine. This allows you to get rid of fatigue and stress in these areas. When choosing an anatomical option, one should rely on the position that a person often takes during sleep. The wave model is not suitable for those who are used to lying on their back or side.

With memory effect

Another name is memorix. A special feature is that the pillow can take the shape of a lying body, and in the absence of pressure, it simply returns to its original position. The model allows you to reduce the pressure on the human skeleton. There are various fillers, including enveloping, plasticine, and more.An additional advantage of Memorix products is their ability to maintain normal blood circulation, reduce the number of turns during sleep and relax muscles.

Single-chamber, two-chamber, three-chamber

Modern models differ in different structures. They can combine several materials, have a special design. Among the common ones:

• Single chamber. This is a standard version, consisting of one one-piece cover and does not have extra compartments, fasteners. The filler fiber can be synthetic or natural.
• Two-chamber. Consists of several departments. Inside is a core made of synthetic material, while the outer shell is made of natural fibers. Both parts are the same. They fold together and fit into a single pouch.
• Three-chambered. The division in this case can be along, across or vertically. The three-chamber model holds its shape well, is soft, elastic and is able to support the spine during sleep. Due to the division into several parts, the filler does not get piled up. This is a suitable option for preventing the development of osteochondrosis.

How to choose a pillow for sleeping

When figuring out how to choose the right pillows for sleeping, several criteria must be taken into account. The parameters of the pillow, as well as the features of the position of the body, are important. These nuances will allow you to choose the most suitable product for your individual criteria.

Height

The choice of this parameter is influenced by the sleeping position. If the usual position is on the side, then the pillow should be high enough to fill the space between the ear and shoulder. It is recommended to measure the distance between the indicated parts of the body and choose exactly that height. For those who are accustomed to lying on their backs, you should purchase a product no higher than 10 cm. It is worth considering the option of an anatomical pillow with a special recess. Slim models are suitable for those who like to sleep on their stomachs. This will avoid a violent throwing back of the head.

Dimensions (edit)

The most common are a square product 70x70 and rectangular with parameters 50x70 cm. It is for these sizes that most manufacturers produce bedding. Square is larger, so it takes up more space and is more expensive. But it is worth choosing the size based on your own preferences and convenience.

Rigidity

This parameter is also influenced by the posture during sleep. For those who like to lie on their side, a rigid product is suitable. Those who sleep on their backs are advised to choose medium hardness. The softest pillow is for those who are used to lying on their stomach.

Forms

It was noted that most of the pillows are square and rectangular. They are suitable for people who do not have problems with the spine and cervical spine. If there are any diseases in this area, it is recommended to purchase an orthopedic model.But first you should consult a doctor.

There are also special maternity pillows available. They differ in shape, resembling a long roller. It can be folded at any angle. Allows you to reduce the load on the back and make the background in the last months of pregnancy more comfortable.

Features of the choice of filler

It was noted that fillers are subdivided into natural and synthetic. And in each of these categories, there are several types. It is necessary to familiarize yourself with each in order to choose the most suitable option. It is worth recalling that there are models in which both options are combined and the filler consists of artificial and natural fibers.

Natural fillers

Are of plant or animal origin. The most common is feather down, but there are other types as well. Among them:
Bamboo fiber. The material is resilient and soft. Eco-friendly, does not cause allergies, therefore it is suitable for baby pillows. Good air permeability. However, it quickly absorbs moisture;

• Seaweed. The product holds its shape well, is hygroscopic, breathable and does not become electrified. It is difficult to care for and is too soft.
• Cotton. The filler is affordable and allows air flow well. But it is heavy, quickly absorbs liquid, and quickly forms many lumps.
• Silk. The filler has good thermoregulation, wear resistance and long service life. The fiber does not start mites and does not have unpleasant odors. The cost is high and poor moisture permeability.
• Linen. It is easy to care for, durable, non-electrifying, breathable and non-allergenic. But the cost is high.
• Down-feather of a bird. The most popular filler. It supports heat exchange well, is hygroscopic, and quickly restores its shape. But it needs regular dry cleaning and can provoke allergies.
• Camel wool / down. Good air exchange, thermoregulation, lightness. The filler helps to relieve muscle soreness. Has insufficient rigidity, can cause allergies and requires special care.
• Sheep fluff / wool. Retains shape and heat, promotes muscle relaxation, does not absorb liquid. Such a filler must be regularly and carefully looked after. Not recommended for allergy sufferers and those suffering from asthma.

This is not a complete list of natural fillers. There are more original options, including corn or nettle fiber.

Synthetic fillers

They are popular for their affordability and lower cost. It's easy to look after them. Common synthetic fillers include:

• Memory foam. It adapts to the curves of the body, distributes the load evenly, has a long service life and is hypoallergenic. But during use, the color of the filler may change.
• Sintepon. Odorless and does not provoke allergies. It allows air to pass through well and maintains the desired thermoregulation. The synthetic winterizer is quite soft and can quickly deteriorate.
• Holofiber. Outwardly, it resembles small twisted balls. It is characterized by durability, elasticity, wear resistance and ease of maintenance. Does not absorb excess liquid.
• Artificial swan down.It is odorless, recovers quickly, can easily pass air and does not provoke allergies. It is unable to absorb liquid and is too soft.

Choosing a pillow for a child

There are many requirements for baby pillows. But there are a number of criteria that must be taken into account when choosing such a product. The most important are the size and the degree of elasticity. It is worth familiarizing yourself with them in more detail:

• Width and length. If in adult pillows these parameters can vary in a wide range, then children are advised to choose products 40x60 cm. The width of the pillow and mattress must match, so small discrepancies are acceptable.
• Thickness. It is important that during sleep the baby's head is in line with the body, without any deflections in the neck and spine. This is exactly the task a pillow should cope with. Therefore, the thickness of the product and the child's shoulders must match.
• The degree of elasticity. The product should not be too soft or hard. The degree of elasticity and density should be such that the pillow can support the head and neck so that they form a straight line with the spine. But do not forget about the comfortable sleep of the child. Therefore, the elasticity should be medium.

These are the most important criteria when choosing a baby pillow. It is also worth focusing on the composition of the filler fiber.

Sleep pillow rating

Manufacturers regularly release many different products. And it is important not to get confused and not lost among all this diversity. Therefore, it is recommended that you review the ranking of sleep pillows that have been found to be of the highest quality and most suitable for healthy sleep.

Best Anatomical Sleeping Pillow

She is Ascona Mediflex Anatomic with parameters 40x60 cm. She has an average level of rigidity, the filling is foam. Gives a good level of comfort and relieves tension and swelling in the cervical spine.

It has a unique shape, supplemented with a neck roll, which ensures normal blood flow, which is a good prevention of migraines. It was noted that elastic foam is used as a filler. It contains silver ions, which have a bactericidal effect. The pillow is equipped with a removable velor cover, which makes it more convenient to take care of the product. It should be noted that the pillow itself cannot be washed.

It is permissible to use not only for medicinal purposes, but also for prophylactic purposes, in order to reduce the load on the spine and relax the muscles. The product is suitable for those who like to sleep on their backs.

Best Swan Down Pillow

This is AlViTek Gobi (PVP-70) with parameters 70x70 cm. It has an average level of rigidity. The filler is a substitute for swan down. It has many advantages. The fiber has a highly sinuous structure. It is twisted into a spiral, treated with silicone, which makes it possible to increase the wear-resistant and elastic characteristics of the product.

The filler also has the properties of natural swan down, including softness and lightness. Therefore, sleeping on such a pillow is comfortable. The product is completely safe and does not cause allergies. The set includes a cover made of breathable cotton. Caring for the model is simple, it dries up pretty quickly. But the cover cannot be removed and washed separately. Also, the product does not absorb excess liquid.

Best premium pillow

She is Ormatek Ocean Fresh L (Satin), the size of which is 40x60 cm. It is anatomical and has a high degree of elasticity. Foam is used as a filler. It is thermoregulatory and is able to remember the last position of the body, to adapt to the structure of the head and neck. It is comfortable to sleep on it, regardless of the sleeping position.

The materials of the model have a porous structure, which creates good air permeability and helps to drain excess liquid. The fabric contains a cooling gel that maintains an optimal microclimate. Therefore, sleeping on such a pillow will not be hot.

The cover is made of satin. It can be easily removed and washed. The main disadvantage of the product is its cost.

The choice of pillow must be taken seriously. The health and quality of sleep depends on this. You need to take into account your own individual characteristics, dimensions of the product, the degree of its elasticity, features of care, etc. This will allow you to choose the most suitable option from the variety of offered models.

Video: how to choose the right pillow for sleeping