Most of us have woken up with a sore neck more than once in our lives and have just thought we’d slept funny and never considered that the pillow could actually be the reason why. A good night’s sleep has mostly been attributed to the right mattress, the quality and quantity of light in the room, and some peace and quiet. Hardly has the type of pillow one is using been a big issue yet, according to clinical evidence, two-thirds of middle-aged persons suffer from neck pain caused by the pillow they sleep on.
As you sleep, the position of your neck matters because it also affects your spine. It is recommended to keep your spine in alignment with your neck so as to avoid the majority of the aches and pains we experience when we wake up. A good pillow helps to support your neck, shoulders, back, and hips, allowing you to wake up pain-free.
We took to the mall to find out from those that sell beds and linen if there really is a difference in the pillows’ performance material-wise, or if it was a matter of size and texture. We were intrigued by the many types of pillows you can find around, more so, by the ones you’ll find on Aldi offers next week. Aldi has pillows with materials that contour to your shape (memory foam), keep you cool, wick away moisture, or resist mould and dust mites (helpful for allergy sufferers) – the variety is so vast.
We checked out Soak and Sleep as well, they have the feather-type pillows from Hungarian goose down, duck feather and down, pure silk and some with wool from as far as New Zealand. Their pillows are designed for that soft-snuggly feel – ideal for warmth. It’s not just about standard, king size, or soft and hard anymore. There is plenty of information on the pillow type to help you choose the correct one.
We also discovered that pillow choice should further be according to your sleeping position for you to get maximum support. Here’s what we learnt:
For those that sleep on their back
Your pillow should prop up your head and neck, but not to the point where your neck is at an uncomfortable angle. Because you want your spine and neck to stay aligned while you sleep, back sleepers should go for a medium-thick pillow that is neither too full nor too flat.
For those that sleep on their stomachs
This is said to be the most stressful position for your neck and back, and it is recommended that you change to either your side or back. However, it’s not an overnight change, so for the best pillow support, choose one that is soft and less full, so as to keep your spine as neutral as possible.
For those that sleep on their side
A fuller, firmer pillow will give you the support you need if you are a side sleeper. Because most pressure is on your shoulder as you sleep, such a pillow will alleviate this pressure, allowing you to support your neck as needed.
It was also interesting to note that some pillows are now being made for those with sleep disorders like jet lag or restless leg syndrome and sleep apnea, or ailments like heartburn. Though symptoms may be staved off by your sleeping position, we were warned that pillows will not treat or cure these disorders, treatment will. A good pillow will help your posture and that will just help you to sleep better.
