How to choose a pillow for sleep - experts reviews

Regular healthy sleep energizes, provides well-being and mood. It is possible if a person has comfortable conditions for a night of rest. A pillow is an essential bedding that has a significant impact on the usefulness and duration of sleep. Properly chosen product relieves stress, normalizes blood circulation, eliminates pain and provides optimal support in the cervical spine. In this article you will learn what criteria you should pay attention to when choosing a pillow for sleeping.

The best manufacturers of pillows for sleep - which company to choose

One of the important parameters for choosing a pillow for sleep is the manufacturer of the goods.

In order for the product to fully comply with the stated qualities, it is better to buy from well-known companies, which include:

1. MirSon;

2. Christian Fischbacher;

3. Billerbeck;

4. Sonex.

Companies are the world's largest suppliers of pillows and other bedding. All products are made from the best materials in compliance with environmental standards.

• See also: best fillers for pillows

The principle of operation and the device pillows for sleep

Sleeping pillow - bedding, which serves as a support for the head and neck of a person lying down. The need to use pillows for sleep is determined by the structure of the human body. It supports the neck in a natural position and prevents the spinal curvature.

Without its use, the muscles of the neck of a recumbent will be twisted and tense, so a person will not be able to fully relax and sleep.

Experts recommend changing this bed accessory every 3 years. There are, of course, products whose service life exceeds 5 years, but this is subject to proper care.

Over time pillows accumulate dust, allergens, because some items are not allowed to be machine washed, they must be dry-cleaned. People do not always comply with the operating conditions, so the recommended period of use is significantly reduced.

Types of pillows for sleeping

Classic

Such pillow models are most common for night sleep. Often, products combine softness and elasticity at the same time, which is why they are so popular.

Pillows have the classical form of a square or a rectangle, which length is 40-80 cm, width is 30-50. The format of European models for adults is 70 * 70 cm, for children - 40 * 60 cm. The filler can be natural or synthetic.

Advantages:

• during sleep there is no pressure in the neck;
• the ability to adjust the height of the product for themselves;
• a huge variety of fillers;
• various degrees of rigidity, size, height, shape, etc .;
• different price categories.

Disadvantages:

• many natural fillers of classic pillows cause an allergic reaction, have a short lifespan, absorb odors, require special care (periodic drying, ventilation, cleaning), etc.
• Synthetic fillers in such pillows are less permeable to the air, too soft, therefore they are not suitable for people with diseases of the cervical region.

Orthopedic

These products are designed for more comfortable placement of the neck and head during sleep. They have a special shape - a roller or a rectangle with a notch, thanks to which the pillow prevents the spine from deforming in the cervical region.

Due to the special filling (from several layers) of the product, they remember the position of the head and neck, which ensures an optimal position during the entire sleep.

Such models often become objects of fakes. Some unscrupulous manufacturers give orthopedic shape, while using the usual single-layer filling of classic pillows.

Orthopedic products are recommended for use in various diseases of the cervical region: osteochondrosis, injuries or displacement of the vertebrae, torticollis, increased muscle tone, chronic pain, etc.

Advantages:

• elastic neck and head support;
• the product reduces the load on the cervical spine;
• does not break bleeding in soft tissues;
• does not cause an allergic reaction;
• remembers the bends of the head and neck.

Disadvantages:

• practically does not change shape;
• requires addiction, therefore not suitable for people with insomnia;
• many fakes;
• high price;
• increased stiffness, hard high side can cause neck pain.

The pillow can have natural or synthetic filling. The first are: down and feathers, sheep wool, silk, buckwheat husks, bamboo fiber, etc.

• See also: how to choose an orthopedic pillow

Filling: down and feathers

This is a traditional filling pillows. Use swan, goose, chicken, duck feathers and down or a mixture of them. Some products are made according to a special technology - down and feathers are placed in the "pockets", so after wet processing you can easily give the pillow the same shape. The filling may consist of several layers: under the neck - hard, under the back of the head - soft; inside - down and feathers, top layer - down (this gives a cushioning effect).

Advantages:

• products easily take and restore form;
• keep warm for a long time;
• environmentally friendly material;
• good breathability;
• allowed to wash in a typewriter.

Disadvantages:

• high price;
• in the absence of proper care, ticks are often infused in such fillers;
• dry for a long time;
• may cause an allergic reaction due to the accumulation of dust and other allergens.

Filling: sheep wool

Products from sheep's wool contain wax lanolin, which is used in cosmetology, medicines because of its positive effect on the body for colds, respiratory diseases, migraines, etc. The pillows of this filler are particularly soft, therefore not suitable for all people.

Advantages:

• mild therapeutic effect;
• the product maintains natural body temperature;
• high breathability due to the special form of natural fibers.

Disadvantages:

• not suitable for allergies;
• wool quickly falls down, after which it is impossible to give the cushion its former shape;
• require special care - periodic drying, airing and cleaning;
• can not be washed in a typewriter, only manually, and the temperature should not be above 30.

Filler: bamboo fiber

Bamboo fiber cushions are deservedly popular. They are hypoallergenic, provide unparalleled comfort during sleep, easy to clean. Green pectin in the composition of bamboo fibers has a positive effect on the skin.

The technological process of processing plants into cellulose, fiber and yarn eliminates the use of harmful substances. The content of bamboo fiber in the pillow should not be less than 60%, to make sure that the pillow is not fake, you need to pay attention to the packaging or product label.

Advantages:

• products absorb and pass moisture;
• excellent air permeability, thermoregulation;
• vegetable filler suitable for people with allergies, asthma, dermatitis;
• may have different stiffness;
• relieve fatigue and muscle tension in the cervical region;
• the filler does not lump into lumps, therefore it preserves elastic properties for a long time;
• suitable for washing in a typewriter.

Disadvantages:

• the probability of acquiring a fake is high;
• high price.

Synthetic Pillows

Pillows with this filler differ in rather low cost.

Filling can be the most diverse:

1. Synthepon (the cheapest filler of non-woven synthetic fabric);

2. Silicone (the same synthetic winterizer treated with silicone);

3. Holofiber (different springy structure);

4. Comforel (synthetic fiber balls);

5. Polyester (hollow fiber twisted into a spiral and treated with silicone);

6. Artificial down (bulky, twisted in a spiral fiber in its structure is thinner than a human hair).

Manufacturers can combine synthetic materials, thereby complicating their structure, increasing the elasticity and strength of the product.

Advantages:

• products elastic and light;
• suitable for people with allergies;
• do not attract dust and other allergens;
• quickly restore the form;
• easy care;
• heat insulation effect;
• affordable cost.

Disadvantages:

• fragility;
• do not absorb moisture, so do not suit people with excessive sweating.

Parameters for choosing a pillow for sleeping

Filling

What it will be: natural or synthetic, depends on the preferences of the user. Each has its own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages that should be considered when choosing.

The form

Products can be of various forms:

1. Pillows, repeating the anatomical shape of the neck and head;

2. Rectangle;

3. Square;

4. Round pillows (more suitable for decorative purposes, and not for sleeping).

The size

The most optimal size of the product is:

1. For an adult - 70 * 50 cm;

2. For children - 60 * 40 cm.

Case

The cushion should have a cover of dense material, so the filler will not break out, but the fabric must remain breathable and light.

Height

The pillow can have different heights - from 5 to 15 cm. The angle between the neck and shoulder in a horizontal position should be 90 degrees. If the shoulder is wide, the pillow should be high.

Degree of softness

Products can be:

1. Hard (prescribed for diseases of the musculoskeletal system, also recommended for those who like to sleep on their side);

2. Semi-rigid (suitable if the person usually sleeps on the back);

3. Soft (great for sleeping on your stomach).

Sewing details

Large seams can cause discomfort, so when purchasing, pay attention to this parameter. In addition, they must be durable, so that the pillow can withstand washing or dry cleaning. To check the strength of the seams, pull them a little. The appearance of small discrepancies may indicate a poor-quality product.

What pillow to sleep to choose

1. If you need a pillow that will repeat the anatomical structure of the head and neck, you should pay attention to orthopedic products. For lovers of the classic version fit rectangular or square pillows.

2. People with low blood pressure are recommended a soft product, which provides a low location of the head and blood flow during sleep (this can be fluff-feather, synthetic filling, or from sheep's wool).

3. People with elevated blood pressure is better to purchase a more rigid product, which will ensure a high position of the head during sleep (for example, feather filling).

4. If a person is prone to allergies, then definitely you should get a synthetic pillow that does not accumulate dust or a pillow with vegetable filler (for example, with bamboo fibers).

5. For lovers of environmentally friendly materials should choose a pillow with a natural content: feather-down, sheep wool, silk, bamboo, buckwheat husks, etc.

How much is a pillow for sleeping

The cost of the pillow depends on its filling and shape:

1. Down feather (50% - 50%): 900 r.

2. Bamboo fiber (100%): 1500 p.

3. Sheep wool (100%): 6000 p.

4. Synthetics: 200-1500 r.

5. Orthopedic pillow: 2500-13000 p.