A comfortable and restful sleep is extremely important. In order to guarantee this, not only the right mattress is very important, but also a suitable pillow. But since the selection is quite large these days and you usually have no idea what to look for, this task, which at first glance seems simple, is absolutely no walk in the park. We would like to make your choice and purchase a little easier by giving you a few tips that you should keep in mind for the right pillow. In addition, you should also be able to receive personal help in the store.
Which pillow is the right one depends on various factors. What is best for one person is not automatically best for another. Sleeping position and the choice of mattress play an important role in determining the correct pillow shape and filling. Below we have summarized which shape suits which position and which fillings are offered.
How do I find the right pillow?
On the one hand, you can easily find the right pillow by testing. The aim is to support the head without lifting the spine. This is because it is slightly bent in this way, which is inappropriate. The spine should be in a straight position where the intervertebral discs are no longer compressed so that they can relax overnight. In principle, one can say that smaller and narrower pillows perform this task best. Due to the standard size for pillowcases, larger pillows are usually used.
The best support is guaranteed, among other things, by how we lie while sleeping. Depending on the sleeping position, the hollow space that is created between the neck or head and the mattress when the spine is straight also changes. So if you have a preferred sleeping position, you should take this into account when choosing a pillow in order to find the right pillow for neck pain.
For side sleepers
If you like to sleep on either side, you should know that the cavity is the largest here. The right pillow should be approximately 40x80 or 40x60 cm in size, which depends, among other things, on the width of the shoulders (for example, men have wider shoulders than women and probably need the larger pillow). When you test lie down, have a second person check whether your spine is parallel to the mattress and whether there is a right angle between your shoulder and cervical spine or shoulder and mattress. A neck support pillow or one in soap form is best.
For stomach sleepers
Lying on your stomach is generally not a recommended sleeping position. If you still can't break the habit, you shouldn't use a pillow at all. Raising the head quickly creates a harmful hollow back and also stretches the neck vertebrae too much. However, if you feel uncomfortable sleeping without a pillow, choose a relatively flat pillow that your head cannot sink into. After all, you also want to be able to breathe. It is best to look for models that are equipped with a special trough for this purpose.
For back sleepers
Neck support pillows are also the best choice for back sleepers. These should also be relatively flat and not raise the head any further. The flat pillow is also bulging at the bottom to provide support for the neck area. Depending on the anatomy of the back, a slightly raised pillow may also be necessary.
The right pillow for sleeping depending on the filling
When it comes to the filling, each has its advantages and disadvantages. From foam pillows to feather pillows to fillings made from natural materials such as spelled, millet or animal hair or latex, foam flakes and hollow fiber balls, everything is included. Here too, the best way to determine the perfect variant is through consultation and testing. After all, everyone has different advantages. While some value natural materials, others are also satisfied with artificial ones.
The right choice also depends on whether you are allergic and what the minimum temperature is in your bedroom. There are foams such as visco foam, whose elasticity decreases at low temperatures, while the temperature has no influence on gel foam. Down and feathers asMaterial for blanketsand pillows are of course the classic. However, since these types of pillows are usually quite large, they are no longer the ideal option.
Visco and gel foam
Visco foam and gel foam are currently among the most popular pillows for neck pain and other complaints. The advantage of them is that they adapt to your body and therefore offer particular comfort. After use, the foams return to their original shape. This prevents the filling from being deformed, as is often the case with other filling materials. However, this recovery occurs much more slowly with visco foam than with gel foam. So if you change position very often at night, it's best to choose gel foam, which can adapt more quickly to the new pressure points and doesn't just affect the room temperature. Allergy sufferers also benefit from this material. However, keep in mind that this material is not available for classic pillow shapes, but only neck support pillows are made from it. However, this makes it the right pillow for back pain.
Visco and gel foam pillow test winner
If you want to buy the right pillow, you can also do various tests, among other things. After all, it's not just the selection of shapes, sizes and filling materials that is very large. The number of manufacturers is also constantly increasing and making the decision more difficult. We would like to introduce you to the best models and manufacturers for viscose pillows according to the pillow test, which you can consider if you want to use the right pillow for tension.
The Top 5Test winner of the best productsfrom the viscose sleeping pillow test are also priced in the medium and affordable range, so you can kill two birds with one stone. The models from the test winner Salosan, for example, are orthopedic pillows measuring 70×30 cm, which makes them very compact and also very practical for traveling. The cotton cover can be easily washed at 40 degrees. From time to time you can use a higher temperature to carry out particularly thorough cleaning. The price is slightly higher for the test winner and is just under 50 euros.
The models VitaLife 37110, MaxxGoods K022 and VitaLife are also washable. They are also compact sizes, but have different shapes. While two of the models have a flat surface, VitaLife 37110 is curved to provide even better support for the neck. However, you should try it out to see if this is comfortable for you.
If you want to buy a pillow that is specifically designed for side sleepers, you can also choose fourth place in the top 5. This is the Third of Life 511.510.200 model. This is equipped with a cover with aloe vera, which is intended to additionally care for the skin. However, this coating is not permanent because it washes out over time. However, a second cover offers the perfect replacement later. This model is also suitable for back sleepers. However, with a price tag of almost 80 euros, it's not for everyone.
