Many do not think that the quality of sleep depends not only on a properly selected mattress and comfortable bed linen that provides an ideal microclimate but also on the comfort of the pillow used. A poor-quality or inappropriate accessory can significantly impair a night’s rest and even cause various health problems – provoking jamming of the cervical spine, numbness of the arms and shoulders, the development of dizziness, and migraines. That is why experts recommend choosing a pillow as carefully as possible.

Before you go shopping for your future ideal pillow, which guarantees the most comfortable travel to the realm of Morpheus, you need to determine a few of the most important nuances. We are talking about the shape of the pillow, its height, and its firmness.

Pillows can be square or rectangular. The latter variety is more popular and is the choice of most modern buyers. Perhaps this is determined by ease of use (during sleep, we still toss and turn from side to side, and not from top to bottom) or more affordable price. It is obvious that less material is spent on a pillow cut in height than on a square one, which undoubtedly affects its cost. The popularity of rectangular pillows is evidenced by the fact that most modern bedding sets are equipped with rectangular pillowcases. Sleeping pillows come in different sizes to suit different needs. You can choose your ideal pillow size: standard, queen, king, or body.

If the shape of the pillow depends more on the aesthetic preferences of the owner, then his comfort during sleep largely depends on the height of the pillow. Your pillow should support your head and neck, keeping your spine in a neutral position while you sleep. How high should your pillow be? There is of course no single correct answer. But based on the fact that the height range of standard sleep accessories ranges from 6 to 14 centimeters, then the lowest pillow is suitable for stomach sleepers, back sleepers can choose a pillow a little higher (8-10 cm), while side sleepers should choose a pillow, focusing on the width of their shoulder – the height of such a pillow usually varies from 10 to 14 cm. If you have a soft mattress, it is recommended to choose a lower pillow.

Archaeologists found the first pillows in the excavations of the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, whose age exceeded 7,000 years. Historical items for sleep were solid neck and head supports made of stone and were intended to protect the mouths and ears of those sleeping from various insects and creeping reptiles crawling into them. Today’s sleep accessories are much more comfortable. Just like mattresses, pillows come in different firmnesses: firm, medium-firm and soft. The rigidity of the products depends on the fillers used. They can be both artificial and synthetic: horsehair, latex, fluff and bird feathers, buckwheat husks, bamboo fibers, and even collections of fragrant herbs. Firmer options are recommended for those who prefer to sleep on their side, medium firmness for those who spend most of the night on their backs, and soft ones for those who like to sleep on their stomach.

The orthopedic pillow is designed for people who have certain problems with the cervical spine. Such a pillow has an original shape – a notch in the center with a side protecting it, which ensures the correct position of the head and neck during sleep. A high-quality original pillow with an orthopedic effect is usually made of several layers of a special filler, such as Memory Foam, latex, or polyurethane foam. Cheaper options are usually made from a single layer of conventional filler. It is necessary to pay special attention to this nuance when buying. Please also note that due to the unusual shape and the presence of a special side to support the neck, sleeping on such a pillow at first will not be very comfortable – you need to get used to it.

Have you decided on the shape, height, and firmness of the pillow? But that is not all. There are a number of nuances that should also be considered when choosing a pillow. The presence of a zipper on the cover is an additional convenient option. With the help of a special lock, you can easily get to the “insides” of the pillow. This feature greatly facilitates its care, and also allows, if necessary, to “adjust” the pillow for yourself – remove or increase the amount of filler to obtain the most comfortable height and firmness. It is also worth giving preference to pillows with covers made of natural fabric. They perfectly absorb moisture and provide the most comfortable conditions for rest at any time of the year.

Do not forget that everything, including a pillow, no matter how beloved it may be, has a certain life span. If you notice that your sleep accessory has become flat and shapeless, the filler is crumpled, or there is a not very pleasant smell, these are clear signs that it’s time to say goodbye to the old pillow and go in search of a new ideal partner for a nightly pastime. And you already know how to choose the right pillow for you.