Determine Your Correct Pillow Type Based on These Sleeping Habits
Sleep allows your body to recharge, repair, and fight diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. It can be a challenge to get enough sleep (both before the pandemic and now), and for many of us, one of the biggest challenges is finding the right pillow. I’ve spent countless amounts of money on pillows thinking I found the perfect one, and you may have tried it all too, from memory foam and cooling gel to hard pillows, soft pillows, side sleeping pillows and more.
Bad news: there is no one perfect pillow. Each pillow has a different function and there is no one size fits all. The good news is that there are some things you can think of to help you find the right pillow for you.
Assess your health status
The way we sleep affects countless conditions that many of us experience, from sinus problems to dizziness and heartburn . If you have sleep apnea and use a CPAP machine, the pillow you use can also interfere with your mask and interfere with airflow delivery, especially when using lateral sleep, which often requires special CPAP pillows . Understanding your health is the first step in finding the pillow that works best for you.
Consider your sleeping habits
Habits such as sleeping on your back, side and abdomen require different types of pillow support. Matthew O’Rourke, a physical therapist at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, told Harvard Health: “Try to keep your spine relatively straight. But everyone will have a slightly different recipe. ” Spine-Health has helpful instructions on which pillows provide adequate support for your back, but here’s a quick rundown of what you should know:
If you sleep on your side
Side sleepers need a firm pillow that supports the neck and stays at shoulder level. Also consider placing a small pillow between your legs to properly align your spine and neck while you sleep.
If you sleep on your back
Those who sleep on their backs generally need a lower or softer pillow. Hard pillows will force the head to tilt forward, which will put stress on the neck and airway. The Rochester Health Center recommends placing a pillow under your knees to properly align your spine while sleeping on your back.
If you sleep on your stomach
The worst is for those who sleep on their stomachs, as this position tends to put the most strain on the body. It is recommended to use a flat pillow or not use a pillow at all to avoid stress on the neck and back. Place a pillow under your pelvis to relieve some of the strain on your neck and back.
Bottom line
The type of pillow you choose is a personal preference, but try to match your sleeping habits. While I love a fluffier pillow, I know that a harder pillow, such as a pillow cube, is better for sleeping on your side. I will save the joy of down pillows for you sleeping.