Pick Your Perfect Pillow

The pillow you choose to sleep on can greatly influence the quality of your sleep and how you feel when you wake up in the morning.  Many of us limit ourselves to the standard pillows we see at the store, never looking anymore deeply into what is available and what may work best for each of us individually.  We want you to have the best sleep possible, so we’ve compiled this list of pillows based on sleep positions and personal needs. 

Back Sleepers

Sleeping on your back is considered the healthiest way to sleep but is also the least common position.  Your spine is the most supported in this position; you’re less likely to get early wrinkles, and you can minimize the symptoms of acid reflux.  When you sleep on your back, your main concern should be keeping your head aligned with your shoulders to avoid neck pain which is the main complaint for back sleepers.  If the thickness of your pillow is too low, you strain your neck and upper back muscles and are more likely to snore. 

Aim for pillows with medium to high loft (thickness) which will offer more support for your head and neck.  There are even pillows on the market that give you the ability to adjust the loft which means you don’t have to go through the process of trying it out in store or returning an item you bought online. You also want it to conform closely to you, not propping your head up so high that it’s compressing your vertebrae. When you sleep on your back, make sure your neck is straight.  If you bend your neck to one side, you’re going to wake up with neck pain even if you have a supportive pillow because you’re disrupting your alignment. 

Stomach Sleepers

Sleeping on your stomach is actually the least recommended position for sleep.  It puts too much strain on your spine and lower back, and sleeping with your head to the side puts added strain on your neck.  You’re also more likely to get premature wrinkles from having your face against the pillow.  But when stomach sleep is the best sleep you can get, you need a pillow to help combat the negatives of it. 

Stomach sleepers need pillows with very low loft to keep their necks in alignment.  A three-inch thickness is about the ideal measurement.  It’s also important that they’re breathable; you don’t want your face to sink into a pillow and struggle with breathing through the night.

Side Sleepers

Sleeping on your side is the most common sleep position, and it is a good position for those who struggle with snoring.  You’re less likely to have neck and back pain if your torso and legs are fairly straight, not curled up in the fetal position.  You are prone to getting premature wrinkles since half of your face is still rested against a pillow much like stomach sleepers. 

Side sleepers should get a firm pillow with high loft.  You need the added support to keep your head aligned with your spine while lying on your side.  You should also sleep with an extra pillow between your knees to continue the spine alignment from beginning to end.

Your biggest takeaway for picking the right pillow should be choosing the one that will help align your spine.  You may prefer memory foam or contoured pillows, which is fine. The important thing is that the loft and firmness match your sleeping position.  Buying a plain, standard pillow probably isn’t going to cut it.  Make your pillow purchase personal to you!  Once you cover it with your Bamboo pillow cover, you can rest assured knowing that the bamboo fabric is helping prevent the premature wrinkles for both side and stomach sleepers and prolonging the life of your new pillow thanks to its antimicrobial properties.  Now go out, and further improve your sleep by purchasing a pillow that perfectly matches you!