Restful sleep with the perfect pillow
The right pillow perfectly supports your head and neck area
To find the perfect pillow for you, you should know your personal needs and preferred sleeping position. The selection ranges from cosy pillows to firmer models and neck support pillows. The most important thing is ergonomic support for the head and neck area. The pillow’s primary task is to fill the space between the mattress and the neck so that the cervical spine remains in a natural position and the head is not tilted when lying down. Depending on the sleeping position, both the shape of the cavity to be filled between the mattress and the head area and the height of the required support vary. A pillow should therefore be selected so that it provides perfect support in the sleeping position in which you lie most of the time.
The most popular pillow sizes in Germany are 80 x 80 cm and 40 x 80 cm. The smaller size is more suitable for supporting only the head and neck. With the larger version, many sleepers fold the pillow to make it more comfortable at night. The head and neck are then higher and the shoulder rests on the pillow.
Different pillow fillings for your individual sleeping needs:
A firmer pilow with greter support or a soft and cosy one – this decision also depends on the filling. In addition, there is the reaction of the body, such as sensitivity to heat, moisture equalisation for people who perspire more or sensitive skin. As with blankets, pillows are primarily filled with down, fibres and natural hair. There are also special foam materials for neck support pillows.
Pillow filling – down and feathers:
Pillows with down and feather fillings usually have a higher proportion of feathers than duvets. The stronger feathers provide more support for the head. The down provides comfort and softness. However, a pillow with a high down content sinks in more, which increases heat retention. A good mix with feathers, which are more robust and return to their original shape more quickly, is therefore important. This is offered by a 3-chamber pillow, for example. It has supportive inner layers of feathers and outer layers of down, which provide a pleasantly soft surface.
Pillow filling – natural:
Natural hair is a firm yet elastic material with good moisture transport. Their good temperature regulation and absorbency make them suitable for people who perspire more during sleep. Fillings made from virgin wool balls can absorb up to 30 per cent of their own weight in moisture without feeling clammy. As virgin sheep’s wool stores a lot of air, it forms a natural insulating layer.
Pillow filling – fibre:
Fibre fillings adapt well to the shape of the body, are hard-wearing, dimensionally stable and easy to wash. Pillows with fibre balls have a high level of support and can be filled to the individually desired lying height. This also applies to foam and latex.
The right pillow for your sleeping position
Most people change their sleeping position at night between lying on their side, back or stomach. It is therefore important that a pillow adapts to your movements. The pillow width also contributes to a more restful sleep so that you don’t “pull the pillow behind you” when you turn over. If you predominantly favour one sleeping position, you should ideally choose a pillow based on this.
Pillows for side sleepers
The distance between the mattress and head area is greatest in the side sleeping position. The pillow should therefore avoid overstretching the cervical spine. A harder pillow is suitable here. To ensure that the shoulder can sink into the mattress, the pillow should not reach under the shoulder. Ideally, it should only support the head and neck.
Pillow for back sleepers
For back sleepers, we recommend a flat and soft pillow that provides good support for the neck and keeps the spine in its natural S-shape. The neck cavity, i.e. the area between the back of the head and shoulder, should be completely filled. A size of 40 x 80 cm is suitable here.
Pillow for stomach sleepers
The prone position is the most problematic due to the twisted position of the spine. Stomach sleepers should make sure that the pillow relieves the spine, shoulders and neck as much as possible. A flat pillow that does not overstretch the cervical spine but still offers a comfortable sleeping position is best.
Did you know
that the body first has to get used to a new pillow. This is why you often feel slight muscle tension in the neck area in the first few days, but this should be relieved after a short time by an improved lying sensation.
FACTS:
Pillows are subject to increased wear and tear and should be replaced after 5 years at the latest for hygienic reasons. If the fluffiness decreases, hollows are visible in the core or the foam becomes brittle, it is time to buy a new pillow.
CONCLUSIONS:
The different fillings, sizes and shapes offer many options when buying a pillow.
The pillow’s fabric cover is also a factor: it should prevent the filling material from penetrating to the outside and dust and dander from getting inside. The choice of pillow is directly related to the mattress. With softer mattresses, the body sinks in more, which supports the curve of the spine. This is why a flat pillow is needed here. The deeper you sink in with your shoulders, the more the distance between your ear and the mattress decreases. The wider your shoulders are, the greater the sinking depth required – the pillow should be higher.
You can buy your perfect pillow online in our billerbeck online shop: https://billerbeck.shop/en/pillows
