How to pick the perfect pillow for you?
July 12,2013
From: Abcsources
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Sleeping conditions each night - mattress, room temperature, sleep position, and even your pillow - all have an effect on the quality of sleep you get each night. Most people don’t think too much about their choice of pillow unless they sleep badly or suffer from pain (usually neck or back pain), but the right pillow can make a big impact on your quality of sleep, your health and your well being.so knowing how to choose a pillow will help insure that you wake up refreshed and ready for your day.
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\r\nStep 1: Find Your Pillow Type
\r\n\r\nFinding the type of pillow that works best for you may mean shopping around and trying out one or two before deciding. Keep in mind health issues, such as allergies, in addition to personal comfort preferences. Here are a few types of pillows and how they will affect your sleep:\r\n
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- Natural – Feathers or down create the core of natural pillows. Carefully examine the fabric of a natural pillow before purchasing. Tightly woven fabrics prevent feathers from escaping or poking through and irritating you while you try to sleep. \r\n
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- Synthetic – Filled with man-made materials, synthetic pillows are often preferred by allergy-sufferers because they can be washed easily. Synthetic pillows, however, tend to be less durable than natural or water-base pillows, so you’ll need to replace them more often. \r\n
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- Water-based pillow – The uniqueness of the water-based pillow is that users have the flexibility of increasing or decreasing the pillow height simply by releasing or adding water. According to a study put out by physicians at Johns Hopkins University, water-based pillows “showed a significant advantage over the roll pillow and the standard pillow” in relation to neck or cervical pain. \r\n
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- Memory foam – A memory-foam pillow is made of material that actually forms to the shape of your head and neck. They are advertised as helpful in relieving back and neck pressure. \r\n
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\r\nStep 2: Determine the Best Height and Density
\r\nA pillow’s height and density can make a different in your quality of sleep. According to abcsources.com, which developed the Waterbase pillow, the perfect height for a pillow is eight to 14 centimeters. If your pillow is too high, it can cause neck pain from sleeping at an awkward angle. A pillow that’s too low isn’t supporting your neck properly.\r\n
\r\nAccording to Johns Hopkins University, the position in which you typically sleep greatly determines how dense a pillow you should choose:\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n- \r\n
- Stomach sleepers – A softer pillow works best because it allows the neck and spine to lie flat rather than being at an uncomfortable angle. \r\n
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- Back sleepers – A medium to firm pillow provides sufficient support and comfort. \r\n
- Side sleepers – A firmer pillow works best. \r\n
- Restless sleepers – A medium-density pillow will accommodate a variety of positions. \r\n
If you feel you need more support, consider an overfilled pillow. Most back and stomach sleepers, however, don’t sleep well with overfilled pillows.
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\r\nStep 3: Establish Your Pillow Budget
\r\nWith pillows, you definitely get what you pay for. Less-expensive pillows from the discount store might seem like a great value in the short term, but they tend to flatten quickly, losing vital neck support, and need to be replaced more often. Natural pillows cost more than most synthetics, but they also last longer and are more durable. Water-based and memory-foam pillows can be expensive, but if they provide you with your best night’s sleep or alleviate neck and back pain, they are worth the extra cost.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTips:
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- Replace your pillow when it breaks down or no longer holds its shape. Fold your pillow in half lengthwise and hold it that way for 30 seconds. If it doesn't go back to its original shape when released, you need a new pillow. \r\n
- Wash your pillow regularly according to manufacturer instructions or use a pillow protector to increase its life. Foam pillows cannot be washed, but a pillow protector will help keep it clean. \r\n
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