How to choose a pillow

Correct and healthy sleep, which will be regular, allows you to charge a person with energy, and also gives an excellent state of health, well-being and mood. A person who is in complete comfort of a night's rest can get a similar effect. The pillow, which is necessarily included in the bedding, serves this, can have a significant effect on the duration of sleep, the state of a person after it. You need to know how to choose a pillow, as it will help relieve stress, improve blood circulation, and also relieve pain. The article describes the main types, characteristics of choosing the right product for a good sleep.

Types of sleep pillows

The sleep pillow is a bedding set that helps provide secure head and neck support while lying down. It must be used because of the human anatomical features, since it is easy to maintain the neck in the correct position with it, without deforming the spine.

Without the use of such a product, the cervical muscles during sleep gradually begin to bend, tense, therefore, after a night's rest, a person feels tired and weak. Experts advise replacing such a product once every 3 years, but there are also models on sale that can be safely used for up to 5 years if you provide proper care.

Over the years, dust and other allergens accumulate inside the pillows, all this can be eliminated by machine washing, but not many types allow this, so you have to take the accessories to dry cleaning. In addition, not all people follow the rules of use and care, which causes a reduction in the service life.

To understand how to choose the right pillow for sleeping, you need to understand the main types and fillers that are used by manufacturers.

Classic

Such options are considered the most popular among people, they are used for night rest. They are characterized by softness and elasticity at the same time, so they are often bought. Products have classic shapes in the form of a square or rectangle. The total length can vary within 40-80 cm, and the width is no more than 30-50 cm. There are separate European sizes on sale, which depend on the user. For example, 70x70 cm options are recommended for adults, and 40x60 cm for a child. In this type of product, natural or synthetic fillers can be used.

Pros:

• During sleep, there is no pressure in the area of ​​the cervical vertebra.
• You can independently adjust the height for yourself.
• Large selection of fillers in this option.
• There are many sizes, shapes, and levels of hardness commercially available.
• The cost is in a wide range and depends on many factors.

Minuses:

• Often, when choosing a natural filler, a person develops an allergy.
• The term of use is short.
• Long-term use leads to the absorption of odors.
• Special care must be taken.
• Synthetic models of fillers will not allow air to pass through well and are characterized by increased softness, so they cannot be used for people with neck diseases.

Orthopedic

Many people, when studying the question of which pillow to choose for a child or themselves, immediately think that orthopedic models will be ideal, but this is not always the case. These products are recommended for a more comfortable neck and head position during a night's rest. They are easy to distinguish visually, because they have a special shape, in the form of a roller, a rectangle with a separate place under the neck. All this helps to eliminate the irregular shape of the neck during sleep.

There are several layers of filler inside, so the product can remember the shape of the sleeping person's body, which allows you to achieve an optimal position throughout the night. Such options are often made fake, so you should be extremely careful. To do this, simply give the correct, orthopedic shape, but inside the filler in 1 layer, similar to the classic look.

Orthopedic products should be used for various neck problems, including injuries, osteochondrosis, displacement and other defects. Inside, manufacturers fill the product with natural or synthetic materials.

Pros:

• Provides firm and elastic support to the neck and head.
• The pillow helps relieve stress on the cervical vertebrae.
• There is no impaired blood circulation in soft tissues.
• Does not provoke allergies.
• Possesses memory, which allows you to remember the forms of a particular person.

Minuses:

• Almost does not change shape over the years.
• Normal sleep takes time to get used to, so it is not recommended for people with insomnia.
• Large amount of counterfeit goods.
• High price, which is in the range of 2500-13000 rubles.
• Stiffness and hard side, which can provoke pain in the cervical spine out of habit.

Types of fillers

Fillers must be selected based on the individual characteristics of the organism, as well as personal preferences, the desired result. There are many options, but the most common ones are described below.

Synthetic materials

Such products are characterized by a relatively low cost, and manufacturers use as the main material:

• Sintepon is the cheapest option, which is made on the basis of non-woven fabric.
• Silicone - synthetic winterizer, which is treated with silicone.
• Holofiber - characterized by a springy base.
• Comforrel - inside the product there will be balls of synthetic fibers.
• Polyester is a spiral fiber that is empty inside and undergoes additional silicone treatment.
• Artificial down - differs in volume, inside the material is twisted in a spiral.

Some companies offer combination products, which make the structure more complex and the pillow itself harder.

Pros:

• Lightweight cushion with optimal elasticity.
• An excellent option for a person with allergies.
• Dust and allergens do not accumulate inside.
• They allow you to quickly restore the original shape.
• Easy maintenance.
• They have a thermal insulation effect.
• Optimal cost.

Minuses:

• Short service life.
• Moisture does not penetrate, therefore, in case of strong sweating, refuse synthetic filler.

Sheep's wool

Products made from sheep wool include lanolin wax. Such a substance is widely used in cosmetology and the creation of pharmaceutical preparations, since it contains many useful elements for the human body. Lanolin is used for respiratory ailments, migraines and other health problems, and wool pillows are soft and can be suitable for anyone.

Pros:

• It has a mild healing effect.
• The pillow can maintain a normal body temperature in winter and summer.
• Excellent air permeability due to the shape of the fibers.

Minuses:

• Not recommended for people prone to allergies.
• When used, the filler quickly falls off, after which it cannot be restored to its shape.
• It is necessary to carry out drying, cleaning and airing outside from time to time.
• It is forbidden to wash with a machine; manual processing is permissible only at temperatures up to 30 degrees.

Down and feather

This filler is classic, it is used for pillows more often than others. Manufacturers use raw geese, swans, chickens, duck feathers and down. Some pillows can be made using a special technology, when down and feathers are placed in separate parts of the pillow in the form of pockets, which makes it possible to easily regain shape after washing. In addition, several layers are used for filling at once. Thus, there will be a hard base for the neck, soft under the nape. This has a cushioning effect.

Pros:

• Down and feather pillows easily take shape and return to their original position.
• They help to keep warm for a long time.
• The material is completely pure, natural.
• Excellent air permeability.
• Machine wash allowed.

Minuses:

• Overpriced.
• If you do not provide proper care, then ticks appear inside.
• Long drying time.
• Allergies may occur due to the accumulation of allergens, dust and other things.

Bamboo fiber

Such products can be called one of the best. They do not cause allergies, help improve sleep quality and are easy to care for. Bamboo fiber contains pectin, which has a positive effect on human skin.

During the manufacture of the filler, the plant is processed into cellulose, fibers and yarn, and harmful additives and other substances are not used. When choosing such a material, you should pay attention to its amount, which should not decrease less than 60%. This will let you know that you are holding a real bamboo pillow, not a fake. Information is often indicated on a tag or packaging.

Pros:

• Products are capable of absorbing and permeating moisture.
• Excellent air permeability.
• The filler allows for a thermoregulatory effect.
• The plant material can be used by a person with allergies, asthma, dermatitis.
• The rigidity is different.
• After sleep, fatigue disappears, tension in the neck is relieved.
• The material inside the product does not get lost, so the elasticity will be maintained for a long time.
• Machine washable.

Minuses:

• Fakes are often found on sale.
• Overpriced product.

Sleep pillow selection options

Having studied the main types, you need to figure out in more detail how to choose a pillow for sleeping, because there are many different parameters for this.

The form

When choosing a form, it should be understood that different options are presented in stores. Classic, in the form of a rectangle or square should be bought if there are no health problems. In the presence of disorders of the musculoskeletal system or defects in the cervical spine, orthopedic models should be preferred, in which there will be a separate part for the head, as well as channels under the neck, or simply buy a roller.

Experts cannot say unequivocally how correctly to use orthopedic products for a completely healthy person. Even major studies in this area do not provide a clear picture of the impact on sleep quality. Some experts are sure that this type of product is only suitable for short-term rest or work in a horizontal position, because the pillow has solid sides and the entire structure is rigid, which can cause pain, discomfort and problems with the vertebra in the future.

At the same time, medical workers are confident that the daily use of such a product does not cause negative consequences for the human body, its quality of sleep. When choosing, you need to focus not only on the shape, but also the filler, dimensions and other features that you use in the kit.

Dimensions and degree of rigidity

The quality of a pillow will generally depend on its shape, size, and level of firmness. It is equally important to pay attention to functionality during a night's rest.

If we consider the height, then many modern goods are in the range of 5-16 cm, and the indicator itself is considered when the pillow is fully extended. For many people, an option within 9-15 cm is suitable, but if sleep is uncomfortable, then you need to personally assess the height. It should be approximately equal to shoulder width.

The dimensions of the product are all adjusted to European standards, this is how pillowcases are chosen. For example, for children it is considered to be the optimal size of 50x50 or 60x40 cm, and adults can use 70x70 or 50x70 cm.

The right product for a night's rest must also be chosen in terms of rigidity. In this case, you need to focus on your favorite position during sleep. For those who prefer to rest on their side, it is better to choose rigid products that will have a reliable fixation of the head and neck. A person sleeping on his back can use medium hardness, and if sleep is carried out more often on his stomach, then choose only soft products.

Sewing

In the presence of large seams, discomfort may appear during rest, therefore, when choosing a pillow for yourself, it is better to give preference to small stitches. In addition, be sure to check the strength, which will allow the product to be washed or sent to dry cleaning. To do this, it is enough to pull the material a little in different directions, if there is a slight discrepancy - the seams are of poor quality.

Filling and cover

The type of filler depends on personal preference, so the choice can be both natural and synthetic material. All of them are good, they have certain advantages and features that must be taken into account when choosing.

In the end, it should be noted that the base - the pillow cover - should be made of strong and durable material. Due to this, the inner filling will be reliably hidden inside and will not be able to get out, and the cover must be chosen so that it “breathes” and is light.

Which pillow to choose for sleeping

Having dealt with the main provisions, you can make a small conclusion on the final choice. Experts recommend buying based on the following tips:

• For a complete repetition of the shape of the head and neck, it is necessary to use orthopedic types, and people who prefer classic models should prefer a square or rectangular shape.
• If a person has consistently low blood pressure, then focus on soft products that will raise their head to a small height. It is better to choose synthetics, down-feather or sheep's wool as a filler.
• For a person who has high pressure, rigid products that can raise their head high are preferable, feather filling is used for this.
• If you are allergic to certain materials, it is best to opt for synthetic fillers that will not collect dust inside, on the other hand, you can use plant components, bamboo will be the best.
• Connoisseurs of environmentally friendly products need to buy pillows of any kind, exclusively from natural materials of animal or vegetable origin.

Experts also advise the following:

• Choose a pillow for the season. For example, for the summer season, it is better to buy a product made of materials that have low thermal conductivity, which will provide an optimal level of comfort.
• You should not get carried away with orthopedic models. They cannot cure all diseases, but are needed only for people with problems of the cervical region or the spine in general. If the product is used by a healthy person, there are risks of future violations.
• Cost is not the main factor of choice. The price does not depend on the quality and functionality, each type and filler has certain properties that are suitable for specific purposes.

Knowing how to choose an orthopedic pillow or a classic model, it will not be difficult to find a suitable product for a healthy and full sleep, after which there will be a charge of strength and energy.