If you’ve had inadequate sleep, there could be several reasons behind it. It could be something as complex as fatigue, or something as simple as incorrect posture. Regardless, following a good sleep routine can help you overcome most issues to get sound sleep.
Good sleeping habits include a lot of little things starting from your bed timing, your everyday routine, how comfortable your bed is and even whether you have the right pillow. A balanced combination of all these intricacies contributes to a good night’s sleep.
People having trouble with sleep assume that they would need analgesics to fall into a deep refreshing slumber. But in reality, you just need to get your sleep formula right!
Pillows are underrated
Most people do not understand the significance of pillows in the quality of the sleep they enjoy. They think pillows are just there to make a bed complete. The reality is that a pillow does two crucial things — it gives support to the neck, and it gives support to the upper back. So you need to have a pillow that can give those two parts of your body just the right support. Thus, when purchasing sleeping pillows online, you should keep the kind of support they can offer in mind.
The height of a pillow is crucial
One of the key points that can give you an idea of the support a pillow can offer is the pillow’s height. A pillow’s comfortable height varies according to individual choice. The pillow height one person prefers is usually different from another person’s choice. In addition to the height, the position in which you sleep and the strength of the pillow also make a difference.
There are several online tools that can be used to calculate the pillow height a specific person would be most comfortable with. But obviously, automated tools aren’t perfect. In addition to using such tools, you can use your sleeping position to determine the ideal pillow height for yourself. It’s simple. You just have to know who you are! At Wakefit, you can buy a sleeping pillow that is height adjustable. A zip gives you access inside the pillow so that you can remove or add the filling to adjust the height, basis your preference.
If you can determine the way you sleep, then you will know how to choose a good pillow for yourself and how to put it in place.
Determine your sleeping position — this can give clues about your ideal pillow height
Some people change their sleeping position during slumber, others sleep in one position. If you are the type of person who doesn’t have a constant sleep position, you can ask your partner to record you while you’re sleeping. This will help you to ascertain your sleep position.
Generally, there are three sleeping positions:
- The back sleeping position
- The stomach sleeping position
- The side sleeping position
For the back sleepers
Your pillow should provide support for the natural curved structure of the cervical spine. Such a pillow will also support the neck, head, and shoulders. A soft but firm pillow is what a backside sleeper should look for when he/she wants to buy a pillow, be it from a store or while shopping online. If you want to order sleeping pillows online, it’s better to read people’s comments about the texture and structure of the pillow before making a purchase.
When a back sleeper is lying on the bed, the spine moves into a shape that looks like an ‘S’. When the spine is in such a position, proper support is needed to avoid pain and injury. If there’s no support, the muscle in this part of the body will maintain this posture. In doing so, it will undergo severe stretching, which may cause permanent damage.
To avoid this, you’ll need a soft but firm pillow with average height. This will provide support for the head in a way that will not place the cervical spine in danger. If you have the luxury of having many pillows, you can put one or two pillows under your knees to relieve you from any back strain.
People who sleep on their stomach
You need a pillow that’s soft and thin. Sometimes, the stomach sleeper doesn’t have the need for a pillow, but you can still hug a soft pillow for that cozy feeling. A stomach position sleeper enjoys the fact that in this position, it’s easier to balance the spinal and cervical alignments. When the two sections of the body align, it gives comfort to the neck and the body.
If you have the luxury of having more than one pillow, you can put another thin and soft pillow under your stomach. This will provide support to the spine and allow it to keep its alignment.
Finally, the side sleeping position
People in this category need the thickest pillows. The side sleeping position has two different categories of people — those who sleep with one pillow under their head, and those who sleep with two arms under their head. While both postures are different, they have one thing in common — both cause a lot of discomfort to the neck and the body.
Whenever you sleep in the sideways position, your head and body don’t align. The head is slightly higher in this position than others. This difference results in the bending down of the neck towards the surface below it. Another explanation of why this position is different is that most times, the weight of the body is not evenly distributed. When the weight is not evenly distributed, the body, especially the neck, is bound to get disturbed.
The neck serves as a pivotal point. It’s only when the mass at the two ends of a pivot is the same that it will be at equilibrium. The same principle applies to the neck. Here are some general tips to keep in mind about pillows:
- When you walk into a store to purchase pillows, when buying sleeping pillows online, go for extremely thick pillows. Be careful when purchasing online. Carefully check the mentioned measurements. If you have the funds to get two pillows, buy two. You will need another pillow in between your legs. This pillow will serve as the remaining mass between the two legs. This will allow the spine to be straight while sleeping. If you can’t get two pillows, no problem, it’s optional.
- Side-sleepers generally need taller pillows. Taller pillows of high height work to reduce the stress caused by the force of lying on your shoulder. Such a pillow needs to be strong to keep the spine and neck alignment in check. If you have the luxury of having more than one pillow, you can place a small pillow under your waist. This will serve as additional support.
Are soft pillows the best?
Most people are fond of soft pillows. They believe that they would be more comfortable with soft pillows. The thing about soft pillows is that they give support but in a lesser amount than thick pillows. And the issue is that you only find that out once you put your head on such a pillow. Your head completely sinks into it, causing an alignment distortion that should be avoided. Using an ultra-soft pillow for an extended period can result in your neck going into a changing phase where your spinal alignment alters permanently. This could be bad for your health.
To Conclude
The height and strength of a pillow go hand-in-hand. These two factors must embrace each other for you to enjoy your rest. If you get your pillow from a store, there are chances that you’ll also get a bed to examine your pillow on. Watch for the loft while getting your pillow. The loft is the unit in which the thickness of a pillow is measured. There are three types of lofts (low, mid and high).
Remember: There’s a possibility of you experiencing some pains when you get a new pillow. This is due to the acclimatization of your neck to the pillow. Over time, your neck will adjust to the contour, and you will enjoy your rest. Don’t forget that you will enjoy your sleep when the whole body aligns. Know your sleeping formula, and this will help you to get the optimal result.
