Getting the right amount of quality sleep is vital to achieving a quality life. When you complete your hours of deep rest, your body feels revitalised and ready to face the day. You will also feel more energised, and your mood will improve.
Factors like too much caffeine intake, stress, using gadgets before sleep, and a sedentary lifestyle can affect your rest. However, another main reason why you can’t rest well at night might surprise you—your pillow.
Like shopping for a mattress that will support your body when you sleep, finding the right pillow can also take you to a restful slumber.
If you’ve been ignoring the quality of your pillow all this time, we hope that this article can change your mind and inspire you to make the necessary adjustments to improve your sleeping environment.
Why is a Good Pillow Important?
Your pillow choice has a direct impact on your spine, as it can make or break your posture when resting on your mattress. A good pillow supports your head and neck when you rest. It also promotes the neutral alignment of your spine based on your sleeping position.
Your pillow offers these major functions:
- Increasing your comfort during sleep
- Supporting the neutral alignment of your spine when lying down in your preferred sleeping position
- Providing support to some parts of your body where comfort is lacking
The head and neck support that a good pillow provides is vital to prevent your spine from receiving too much pressure. Sleeping without proper neck support, on the other hand, can negatively affect your sleep and may cause issues like back pain, joint pain, and muscle sores.
It’s even more important to look for a supportive pillow if you are suffering from chronic back pain, spinal issues, or mobility issues. A good pillow can allow you to rest and heal while relieving pressure on your body.
As many people have different needs, there’s also a range of pillows that can cater to different preferences. Several factors, like your sleeping position, body type, and comfort preference, must be considered when choosing a comfy pillow.
Selecting the Right Pillow
Choosing the right pillow for your sleep depends on many factors, mainly your personal preference. Below are some crucial factors that you can consider when shopping for a pillow in Singapore:
Before we dive into these factors, let’s first talk about the term loft. The loftiness of your pillow describes its height when being rested on. When buying a pillow in Singapore, you will usually encounter high, medium, and low loft pillow options.
Sleeping Position
Your sleeping position matters when choosing a mattress. It’s also important when buying a supportive pillow.
Side Sleepers
Side sleepers generally need a loftier pillow for a medium firm to firm mattress to fill in the gaps between their neck and shoulders. A medium-firm to firm pillow will also retain its shape and prevent your neck from being strained when lying on your side. A contoured pillow is also a great choice to help sink your head without straining your neck.
To improve your posture when sleeping on your side, try placing a pillow between your legs. This can reduce the stress on your spine. It's also extremely comfortable, especially if you frequently sleep in a foetal position.
Back Sleepers
When it comes to back sleeping, choose a pillow that is both thin and flat enough to prevent your neck from being too elevated. If you need more head support without straining your neck, try a contouring pillow, which has a gentle slope on your neck while comfortably sinking your head into the sleep surface.
To support your sleeping posture, place a pillow under your calves or below your knees. This will remove the pressure from your hips and lower back.
Stomach Sleepers
Stomach sleep is not the best position for your spine, also not for your neck. When you sleep on your stomach, neck on the side, you’re placing a strain on vital parts of your body, which can cause aches and pains. Twisting your neck during sleep can also place a strain on your neck.
If you’ve been waking up with a sore neck and back, it’s time to fix your sleeping position.
A good pillow for stomach sleepers is something thin to prevent too much elevation that can sink the back or strain the neck. Placing a pillow under the stomach is also helpful to maintain the neutral alignment of the spine.
Mattress Type
To enjoy a fuller and more restful sleep, your mattress and pillows should complement each other. When pairing a mattress with pillows, the general rule is to use a lower-loft pillow for softer mattresses to maintain balance. However, do note that you can alter your combination based on your preferences.
For side sleepers, a softer mattress is a good solution to contour the pressure points and distribute the weight. This way, you may need a thinner pillow to support your neck as your body sinks into the mattress.
Back sleepers need a medium-firm mattress to balance the contour and weight distribution. A medium-firm to softer pillow can provide you with the right comfort in this sleeping position.
When it comes to stomach sleeping, a firmer mattress is needed to prevent unnecessary sinkage. Try a soft and thin pillow or no pillow at all for well-balanced comfort.
Firmness Level
We may have the same sleeping positions, but our preferences can differ. While there are some firmness recommendations when choosing a pillow, this factor can be greatly influenced by your own preferences.
How firm do you want your pillow to be?
Takeaway
Your pillow is an essential sleeping item that should not be compromised. Your pillow choice can dramatically change the way you enjoy your sleep, so it’s important to make it right. With all the options available on the market, make sure to consider your sleeping position, mattress, health condition, and preferences to effectively narrow your choices.
DISCLAIMER: All the information, including the texts, images, and other materials on this website, are for educational purposes only. Although we strive to present accurate information to our readers, no material on the Somnuz website is a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified medical professional with regards to your health. NEVER disregard or delay seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read in this article.