Your pillow can make all the difference between a good night’s rest and pain (both the morning after and possibly longer). To get the perfect pillow, consider your sleeping style — whether you sleep on your back, side or stomach.Photo remixed from an original by Daehyun Park.
Lifestyle blog Lifescript says, in general, this is the ideal pillow:
The right support is medium firm and not too thick. It keeps your head and neck in a line, as if you were standing up.
For specific sleeping styles:
- Back sleepers should look at memory foam, because it moulds to the neck’s curve, or a water pillow, which has consistent support. A pillow under your knees can help your lower back.
- Side sleepers may also benefit from sleeping with a pillow between their knees: It helps improve spinal alignment. Look for a medium-firm pillow that supports the space under your neck when lying down.
- Sleep on your stomach? Unfortunately, your sleeping style isn’t recommended at all, because of the stress on your lower back and potential for neck pains. Try sleeping with a giant body pillow in front of you to give you a similar feeling.
Check out the article for more detailed advice on which pillows to buy (you’re supposed to replace your pillow every 4-5 years, apparently), including which pillow to look for if you have health issues like neck pain.
What’s the Right Pillow for You? [Lifescript]
I have a Mediflow water pillow which I love. I have spent thousands of dollars on various pillows over the years and after a very long search finally settled on this after a recommendation from a Physio friend. The pillow has a bladder that can be filled with water to adjust both firmness and height. Great for me as I have broad shoulders and as a predominantly side sleeper could not find a pillow that was high enough to properly support my neck.
The best thing to do is get a friend out partner to look at your spine whilst your lying on your side on your chosen pillow. Your spine should be a relatively horizontal line from your lower back to your head.