
The Best Types of Pillows for Your Best Sleep

Whether you are a busy workingΒ gal,Β hard-workingΒ mom,Β or both, it can sometimes be difficult to get a full 8 hours of sleepΒ each and everyΒ night. If you are anything like me, the second your head hits that pillow,Β you areΒ running through your to-do list. What didnβt I have time for today? What do I need to get done tomorrow?Β Β
Getting enough sleep is SO importantβifΒ you areΒ not sleeping enough, your mind and body will suffer the consequences. This means more stress and fatigue, which can really wreak havoc on our skin, brain, diet, muscles, and energy levels.
So,Β since we areΒ in the midst ofΒ aΒ hibernation season, we must ask ourselves: what is the solution?Β LetβsΒ start with one of the mostΒ important factorsΒ in a good nightβs sleep: thatΒ pillowΒ of yours. There are so many types of pillows out there to choose from, and it may seem likeΒ itβsΒ not that important of a decision. ButΒ different typesΒ of pillows can have different effects on how well you are sleeping, soΒ IβdΒ sayΒ itβsΒ an especially important one. Plus, ifΒ you areΒ having body aches or struggle with existing medical issues, your pillow can really make or break how your body feels when you wake up.Β
Luckily, choosing the best type ofΒ pillowΒ for you and your needs isnβt tricky if you ask yourself these questions: What is your favorite sleeping position? What are your sleep concerns? If it has been years since you have considered these questions, it isΒ definitely timeΒ for an upgrade. I guarantee that if you address these 2 questions and cater your pillow decision to the answers,Β you areΒ on your way to a restful nightβs sleep.Β
What is your favorite sleeping position?
Best type of pillows for back sleepers
Sleeping on your back is one of the most natural sleeping positions, and it can be a great remedy for certain ailments. Sleeping flat on your back aligns your spine naturally, which is helpful for those with back pain, or spine issues like scoliosis. Also,Β beautyΒ experts have said that this is the best position to avoid wrinkles and acne because your faceΒ does notΒ touch your pillow.Β
That being said, ifΒ you have the wrongΒ pillow, thisΒ can cause some serious neck pain. Your pillow should be thick enough to support your head, but soft enough to follow the natural curvature of your neck. For these reasons, the best types ofΒ pillows for back sleepersΒ areΒ memory foamΒ orΒ adjustable pillows. Memory foam willΒ form toΒ your natural curvature and support it throughout the night, while adjustable pillows (typically with removable layers) can be adjusted to your desired comfortable height.Β

Best type of pillows for side sleepers
Sleeping on your side is the most common sleeping position, experts say. Sleeping on your side can be super comfortable, but it comes with the risk of damaging your neck if you do not have the right pillow. If it is too high or low, your neck will spend hours strained in an unnatural position, which is sure to result in neck pain the next day. Because the curveΒ ofΒ the side of your neck is greater than the back, you will need aΒ pillowΒ that is thicker and firmer than a back-sleeper pillow.
Look forΒ microfiber filled pillowsΒ if you are a side sleeper but be sure to test out its firmness before committing. SomeΒ memory foamΒ pillows will work if they are firm enough, as well. Many companies are now offering types of bed pillows specifically for this categoryβlook for βside sleeperβ pillows.Β

Best type of pillows for stomach sleepers
Studies show that only a small number of people sleep on theirΒ stomach, but for those who do, be sure to have theΒ right pillowΒ to avoid neck and body aches. For stomach sleepers,Β you willΒ want to look for a very flat pillow, because this will align your neck and spine naturally while you sleep.Β Feather pillowsΒ andΒ down pillowsΒ are the best types of pillows for stomach sleepers because they are not very firm.Β Β


What are your sleep concerns?
Allergies
If it has been years since you have replaced your bed pillows, it is likely that there is a good amount of dust and allergens trapped in there. If you suffer from allergies, you may be inhaling aggravating allergens while you sleep without even knowing it! Not only should you beΒ replacingΒ your pillow every couple of years, but if you have allergies, the best type of pillow for you is aΒ hypoallergenic pillow. Also, look forΒ pillowsΒ orΒ pillowcasesΒ made with bamboo-derived fibers, as this material helps block out allergens.Β

temperature
If you are overheating while you sleep and waking up throughout the night because of it, have no fear. Temperature-regulating bed products are now readily available, and they seriously work (I can personally attest to this). If you are a hot sleeper (like me) there are many different types ofΒ pillowsΒ for you to choose from that will help you sleep through the night at a comfortable temperature. Look for βcoolingβ pillows or βtemperature regulatingβ pillows. Many of these types of pillows will have materials likeΒ cooling gelΒ or βoutlastβ technology, which stores and releases heat throughout the night to keep you cool.Β Β

changing sleep positions
If you are a restless sleeper, chances are you are tossing and turning all night, changingΒ positionsΒ and keeping yourself awake (even if youΒ do notΒ realize it). Luckily, there is technology available now that helps keep you in a comfortable position throughout the night. For this kind of support, look forΒ J-shapedΒ andΒ U-shaped pillows. These types ofΒ pillowsΒ will align your body in a healthy, comfortable position, and help youΒ maintainΒ that position throughout the night, resulting in a more restful sleep.Β

Snuggles
Letβs face it, we all feelΒ ourselvesΒ needing a little cuddleΒ every once in a while. If you are single (no shame!), or your significant other isnβt a cuddler (gasp!)Β andΒ you need something to hug at night, aΒ body pillowΒ will do the trick. There are many shapes, sizes and styles to choose from (furry stuffed animal body pillows, anyone?), which makes picking aΒ body pillowΒ almost as fun as the cuddle itself.Β Β

**Be sure to consult your doctor if you are feeling pain of any kind as a result of your sleeping position or pillow choice.**