Just like a mattress, a pillow is a personal preference.Your head weighs more than 10 pounds, so your pillow needs to provide you with support as well as comfort.
Test Your Pillow:
You should do the following to determine wheather your pillow is ready for replacement:
- If you own a polyester pillow, fold it in half and place a shoe on top. If the pillow unfolds and knocks the shoe off, it is still good. If the shoe wins, the pillow probably needs replacing.
- If you have a feather pillow, fold it in half and squeeze out as much air as you can. (Leave the shoe out of this contest.) When you release the pillow, it should unfold on its own. If not, its goose is cooked and the pillow needs to be replaced.
Just like a mattress, a pillow is a personal preference.Your head weighs more than 10 pounds, so your pillow needs to provide you with support as well as comfort.
A good pillow supports you in just the right places.
- It should keep your head in line with your back and spine. But different sleeping positions require different pillows. If you tend to sleep on your side, you need a firm pillow that supports your head and neck.
- If you prefer sleeping on your back, a medium to firm pillow will offer you more cushion.
- Those who sleep on their stomach should choose a soft pillow to ease strain on the neck.
Other types of pillows include orthopedic styles which are are designed to relieve pain and stiffness in the neck or back. Orthopedic pillows are more expensive than conventional pillows, but medical insurance may cover their purchase if your doctor prescribes them. You can purchase these pillows at a surgical supply store.
Also available are pillows designed to reduce or eliminate snoring. Despite the rather optimistic claims about these pillows, they are rarely effective. It's better to address the snoring problem directly with your doctor rather than muffle it with a futile search for the perfect pillow.
Most importantly, find a pillow that makes you feel comfortable. And when your pillow starts to lose its shape or support, it's time to get a new one. Experiment with a variety of types, and stick with the one that provides you with the best night's sleep.
