Poor quality sleep causes numerous problems for many americans, both young or old. Reasons for such bad sleep vary, so do their respective solutions, but sometimes all you need is the perfect pillow for your head to rest on. But with so many different pillow options available, how can you know which one is best? Keep reading to learn about each filling, and how good they are for your sleep.
Why swap to a new pillow?
In the first place, what good is a new pillow? You may be surprised, but a pillow can actually make a world of difference to several sleep issues. You also need to replace your pillow every 1-2 years, and if you use memory foam, they can last around 2-3 years. Regularly replacing your pillow is important for hygiene and neck support.
The right pillow with the proper stuffing can also relieve chronic neck pain and headaches. Those with sensitive noses can rid their bed of allergens with cotton filling. Depending on personal preferences, you can even get good support and comfort for the shape of your head. What can you lose with all this?
Keep an eye out for the right pick
Considering the mentioned benefits, it can feel like going down the rabbit hole of pillows to pick out the right one for you. You will have to look at the kind of pillowcase or pillow cover used.
You also need to think about airflow, breathability, and durability. Even contouring, the ability to retain its original shape, and lifespan become legitimate considerations once you go up the price list of available options.
Different types of pillows
The filling or stuffing of a pillow is one of the main things that will dictate the softness or hardness, the loft, and other features in a pillow, not to mention the price tag.
Best of all worlds in memory foam pillows
Memory foam can be considered the most popular option for pillows. Memory foam pillows are a moderate price while offering high-quality comfort and support.
Memory foam pillows often come in one block of material, shaped to accommodate not only the head but the neck as well. Back sleepers and side sleepers will both have the best time with the curves of a memory foam pillow. Some memory foam pillows are contoured, allowing for the perfect fit for the head and the neck.
Be flexible with shredded memory foam filling
Some pillow companies sell shredded memory foam pillows, which are filled with small chunks of memory foam. Shredded filling allows you to mould the pillow as you please, no matter what sleeping position you take. You can customise the fill, keeping in as much or as little as you like. While designed to be supportive, the result ends up feeling a little clumpy.
Go natural and pricey with latex pillows
Like down pillows, latex ones come at steep prices. They come in one chunk like memory foam, the latter allowing for easy adjustments to shape. Your head will feel less sweaty and hot too, since natural latex, in particular, is highly breathable.
In another way, latex pillow stuffing is also similar to down pillows since some may find the material too soft for their liking. At the same time, if you will be willing to buy latex, it’s more cost effective to buy two memory foam pillows instead and you get a similar, if not better, product.
Other filling alternative
Buckwheat pillows have excellent support and breathability, but they come in heavy at 8 to 10 pounds a pillow. The buckwheat hulls also make rustling noises that may irritate some people. Meanwhile, microbeads are similar to buckwheat hulls and have the same perks, yet they last a lot less than buckwheat. They also lack eco-friendliness.
In contrast, cotton, like buckwheat, have both softness and are eco-friendly since they come from plants, making them renewable resources. Over time, however, they may develop clumps, and you may need to replace the pillow stuffing at some point.
