What’s the right pillow for you? Here’s how to choose

The secrets to a relaxing night's sleep are not limited to the choice of the right mattress or bed structure: opting for the proper pillow is also essential to ensure a good night's rest. Choosing the right pillow can make a significant difference in how well you sleep and how likely you are to wake up free of any aches and pains.

The pillow performs several functions in support of our body posture. Here's some examples:

• Supports head and neck
• Holds the spine in the best position
• Promotes muscle relaxation
• Facilitates breathing

Today, there is a wide variety of pillows to choose from, some of which are designed for people who have special circumstances. How do we choose the most suitable pillow for us?

Follow these simple general guidelines that may help you.

Firmness - A good pillow should never be too hard or too soft. Excessive stiffness can create heavy tension in the cervical area, while a pillow that is too soft lets the head collapse excessively.

Thickness - Excessively high pillows exert pressure and push the chin towards the chest, forcing the neck into an unnatural position. On the other hand, a too low pillow will not support the head and neck adequately.

Balance - The appropriate pillow should smoothly accompany our curves, supporting them in potential nocturnal movements.

Material - Material selection may be one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a pillow. Different materials can influence how well the body regulates temperature during sleep. Pillows made of fill materials and pillowcases that are breathable can lower a sleeper’s body temperature and reduce the likelihood of sweating during sleep.

Shape - The typical pillow is rectangle-shaped and comes in different sizes. Other standard shapes are cervical or neck pillows, with rounded corners shaped to fit the head and neck, and body pillows, which are longer and can provide support from the head down to the hips.

The perfect pillow for you depends on your individual needs and preferences, including the position in which you sleep. In other words, your sleep position determines what kind of support you need in a pillow. A good pillow does its job by keeping your head, neck, and spine in the ideal alignment.

Each sleeping position requires a different type of pillow in order to maintain healthy posture. Whether you sleep on your back, side, or stomach will affect the position of your spine and how much support your head and neck will need while you rest.

• Back Sleeper - If you are a back sleeper, it’s important to find a pillow that will support the natural curve of your neck. The most suitable solution is the Memory Foam pillow in the traditional 'soap bar' or anatomical shape. There are also gel insert options for targeted relief. The cervical curvature support is essential and should be appropriate, accommodating the neck and shoulders as well.

• Side Sleeper - The perfect pillow will be higher then, and a firmer texture to support the head without making it sink in. The spinal column needs to secure a horizontal straight line in a natural way. The gap between head and shoulders should be filled by the pillow, optimising the alignment between the cervical spine and the dorso-lumbar spine.

• Stomach Sleeper - Minimum height and low stiffness: the pillow should have a limited height to ensure the head rests as close as possible to the level of the mattress avoiding unnatural positions.The material is irrelevant, the main thing is to put for soft and gentle textures.

Any Muscle pain?

There are also pillow types for those suffering from chronic neck pain. The most suitable shape is certainly the anatomical one, which offers perfect alignment between head and spine, relaxing the neck muscles. Latex and Memory Foam are ideal allies to promote muscular decompression.

Allergies

People who have allergies or who are sensitive to certain materials should also pay special attention to what is in their pillows. Pillow protectors can also be purchased

to help minimize contact with potential allergens like dust mites. Allergy and dust mite sensitivity can be fought with natural latex foam pillows. This guarantees good breathability of the pillow and discourages the proliferation of bacteria.

Finally, counselling and in-store testing are indispensable when choosing the right pillow by considering position and sleeping habits, physical characteristics, allergies and any postural or muscular problems.

Last tip: always trust experts who can recommend the perfect pillow for your rest!