A good night’s sleep can be crucial to your overall health. It’s also the key to feeling refreshed and energized in the morning.
Choosing the right pillow is a big part of that. Pillows come in many different materials and can vary in firmness, cooling capabilities, and even allergy-fighting properties.
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Memory foam
Memory foam is a material that has become popular because of its comfort, support and ability to relieve pressure. It’s also a great option for travel because it doesn’t take up much space in your luggage or on your airplane.
The material is made from polyurethane, a common and versatile plastic polymer that can be used for products like furniture, insulation, liquid paints and primers, spray foam and car parts. Various compounds and additives are added to polyurethane to create different types of foam, including viscoelastic (or memory) foam.
It’s designed to adapt to the shape of your body and to conform to your sleep position for personalized comfort. It’s often infused with gel to increase the cooling properties of the foam and improve airflow.
However, it can also trap heat if you lie on it for too long. This can cause you to feel warm or uncomfortable, so it’s best to adjust the pillow to your preferred temperature.
While the best pillow for you depends on your preferences, sleeping position and budget, some key features to look for are:
Firmness is one of the most important factors when it comes to choosing a memory foam pillow. The ideal firmness combines the appropriate loft with the right firmness for your preferred sleeping position, according to Murray. For example, if you’re a stomach sleeper, Murray recommends selecting a flatter, less lofty pillow to prevent your head from being cradled in a position that might cause neck strain.
Back sleepers, on the other hand, should choose a pillow with moderate loft to keep their spines in neutral alignment without craning their necks forward. If you’re unsure about what kind of support is right for you, it’s worth trying out a few pillows and seeing which one you like best.
There are a variety of different shapes and sizes of body pillow maker foam pillows available, including standard, queen, and king sizes. Some of these pillows are shaped to provide targeted support, while others have removable inserts or can be adjusted for a customized fit.
Natural materials
When shopping for new pillows, you’ll want to pay attention to the material used in both the cover and fill. Natural materials are generally more breathable, offer better temperature control, and last longer than synthetic alternatives. Often, these are more eco-friendly options and are easier to care for overall.
Choosing organic pillow materials is a great way to avoid exposure to harmful chemicals and pesticides that are often found in traditional pillows. These materials are also kinder to your skin, which can help prevent acne and other skin problems.
A few popular natural materials include cotton, buckwheat hulls, wool, and latex. These all provide a soft, breathable surface that wicks away moisture to keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Other natural materials include kapok fibers, which can be mixed with other fills for a more plush feel and help wick moisture. They also have hypoallergenic properties and are a good choice for those with allergies to feathers or dust mites.
These materials also help to regulate your temperature while you sleep, as they wick away excess body heat and moisture. They also tend to last longer than synthetic pillows, as they are less likely to develop lumps and flatten over time.
Some organic pillows are made from cotton, a breathable and sustainable material that’s a good choice for hot sleepers. Other natural materials used in pillows are buckwheat hulls and wool, which can be a great option for people with sensitive skin or allergy concerns.
Another option is latex, a biodegradable natural rubber. This is available as shredded or solid foam and can be adjusted to help with firmness and support. Be sure to look for GOLS-certified organic Dunlop latex.
Another great natural pillow material is buckwheat hulls, which are biodegradable and low impact. They’re a bit noisy and heavier than other pillow fills, but they provide excellent support. They are a good option for those with sleep issues like neck pain or back pain. They can be combined with other fills for a customized pillow that will support your sleep.
Cooling technology
Cooling technology isn’t just used in laptops and tablets; it’s also found in pillows, blankets, mattress covers, clothing, shoes and many other items. There are two main types of cooling technology: temperature abatement and temperature balance, says Jim Ross, senior vice president of product development with American Textile Company, makers of Tranquility weighted blankets.
Temperature abatement fabrics work with wicking to draw moisture away from the body, allowing cooler air to pass through. They’re more dynamic than temperature balance technologies, which are dormant until your body heats them up.
Other types of cooling technology include a substance called phase change material (PCM), which changes between liquid and solid state depending on the temperature. This is found in Eli & Elm Whitney Collection bedding that provides a cycle of warming and cooling throughout the night, so you always feel comfortable.
Both types of cooling technology work by custom shaped pillows heat from your body, thereby lowering your temperature and keeping you cooler at night. But there are some differences between the types of cooling technologies, so it’s important to know what you’re getting into before you buy a new pillow or blanket.
For example, a pillow made with cooling gel foam is going to have a fan and work hard to remove the heat from your body. That’s a good thing, but it can be annoying to hear the fan running all the time.
And it can also make you sweat, which isn’t great for your health. The best type of cooling fabric is one that wicks away your moisture and doesn’t let it build up, so you don’t get too warm while sleeping or working out.
The best way to find a pillow that suits your needs is to shop around and try out a few different products until you find the right fit for you. It’s a process that can take some time, but with a little patience, you’ll soon be sleeping in a cooler, more restful environment.
The next step is to look at the materials that go into making the pillow, as well as how it’s designed. The best ones are made with natural, non-toxic, and durable materials that don’t break down over time. That’s what makes them a great option for anyone looking for a quality sleep.
Allergies
Allergies can make it hard to get a good night’s sleep, especially for those suffering from hay fever, asthma or other respiratory issues. But there’s a simple solution that can help keep your allergies in check: pillows.
Allergy sufferers should look for hypoallergenic pillows that won’t aggravate their symptoms. Some are made from natural latex, cotton, or shredded foam that is inhospitable to dust mites and will not trigger allergies. Some even come with a washable, mite-proof cover to prevent allergens from accumulating on them during the night.
Other options are anti-allergy pillows, which are treated with a special coating to kill dust mites that collect on them. They’re available in a variety of materials and come in different sizes, so you can find the perfect fit for your needs.
It’s also important to wash your pillow in hot water every week to kill any existing dust mites. An air purifier can also be helpful to capture and filter out the allergens that are dispersed when you make your bed and shake out your pillows.
In addition to pillows, mattresses and box springs should be encased in dust-mite-proof covers. These encasements should be zipped closed, so they’re easy to clean.
To reduce the risk of allergic reactions to feathers in your bedding, encase your pillows and mattress in a dust-mite-proof cover and wash them in hot water every week. You can also replace your wool or feather comforters with synthetic materials.
If you are still having trouble sleeping, consider getting an allergy-proof pillow that will help you sleep better and avoid the need for medication. If you’re not sure if you have allergies, talk to your doctor for help and ask him or her to run a skin test.
Allergies are caused when your body perceives certain substances as harmful and reacts by producing a reaction called an allergic response. These reactions can range from mild to severe and can cause itchy eyes, sneezing, nasal congestion or a runny nose. In some cases, they can cause an asthma attack. Your doctor can recommend medication or other treatments to help manage your allergy symptoms.