How to Choose The Perfect Pillow



Most people never put any thought into buying a pillow. However choosing the right pillow is as important as the bed you sleep on. You need to think of a pillow as a “bed for your head”. Believe it or not a pillow WILL change the feel of a bed. The right pillow can be the difference in getting a good night’s sleep or waking up feeling tired. Your pillow is an important part of your sleep system, because it needs to keep your spine in alignment from the shoulders up while providing pressure relief. If you are on a pillow that is no longer supportive, or wake up with neck aches maybe a new pillow is the answer. Well buying the RIGHT pillow is a little bit more involved than just getting the cheapest one from Wal-Mart. Thanks to modern technology there are some great choices out there for pillows that not only feel great but are supportive as well. As with most things in the bedding world there isn’t a one-size-fits all, so consider all the options and make an informed decision.


 Memory Foam
Memory foam pillows have a very unique feel that makes them ideal for pressure relief and support. The combination of pressure relief and support allow you to settle into a deeper sleep by cutting down the amount of times you have to toss and turn. These are not the cheapest pillows on the market; however they are worth every penny. Don’t expect to pay less than about $80 for a good one, and if you look at Tempur-Pedic pillows expect to pay $99-$350.  If you do go with a memory foam pillow be wary of cheap ones because you do get what you pay for.


Latex Pillow
Latex pillows are almost as good as memory foam for pressure relief and support. Unlike memory foam that absorbs all pressure latex gives just a touch of push back on your head. This is a great alternative to someone who doesn’t like the memory foam feel. The nice feature of latex pillows is that they will keep their shape and feel for years to come. Expect to pay $50-$100 for a good one.
*Most latex pillows are processed in a way that takes the proteins out in order to prevent allergic reactions. However consult the retailer and packaging before you use it if you have a latex allergy.


Down Pillow
Down pillows are generally pillows filled with feathers. These pillows feel great and are used in over 1 million hotel rooms in the United States. If you every slept at a hotel and loved the pillow there is a very good chance it was a down pillow. Down pillows don’t provide the same pressure relief as a latex or memory foam pillow, but if you like a more traditional pillow this is the way to go. You can get these pillows from $20-$125. One of the most comfortable down pillows I have ever tried is made by Pacific Coast and it is called the “Double Down Around” pillow. These retail for about $80 and are a very high quality down pillow with allergy protection built into the pillowcase.



Traditional Fiber Pillow
This is what you most likely grew up with or are using today. They feel great for the first few weeks and slowly flatten out. As they flatten they take your spine out of alignment and you then start using two pillows to compensate. These are great for guest rooms, but you need something better for everyday use. You can pick these up just about anywhere from $5-$20

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