Pillow

How to choose a pillow for your needs

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The pillow is an important thing. A pillow supports our sleep, and our sleep influences our mood throughout the day.
 
An uncomfortable pillow can cause not only a bad mood, but also worsen problems with your back, neck, headaches, allergies and asthma.
 
It is easy to get lost in a great variety of pillows on the market. We can now choose between many different pillows, whether we want pillows filled with feathers, wool, silk, latex and memory foam.
 
More recently, pillows filled with buckwheat, bamboo and herbs have also become available. 
 
Then there are anti-allergic pillows, with a coating of aloe vera, with probiotic bacteria ... and there is no end to the list.


Types of pillows

 

To find your way around the great variety of pillows, you should know that pillows vary according to:
 
  • shape (rectangular, oblong, anatomical)
  • purpose (decorative, sleeping, breastfeeding)
  • filling (feathers, silk, wool, memory foam, etc.)
  • coating (anti-allergic, antibacterial, with a coating of aloe vera, etc.) 
 
You have probably already selected the shape and purpose of the pillow (for instance, sleeping). The coating is an important thing, but it only serves as a bonus to a good pillow.
 
What you really need to think about is the filling.

 

Pillow fillings

Although all types of pillows have their advantages and disadvantages, experts prefer latex and buckwheat pillows because they are strong, flexible, durable and provide good support for the neck.

Depending on your needs, you will probably also consider memory foam pillows or pillows filled with natural materials such as silk, wool and cotton.


Feather pillows

Feather pillows are much fuller, more comfortable and last longer than other types of pillows.

However, experts say that these pillows do not offer proper support for the neck and can cause allergies in sensitive individuals.

Also available are hypoallergenic and antibacterial pillows filled with feathers, but their price is higher.

 Benefits:

  •     soft and comfortable
  •     durable
  •     well-regulated temperature
  •     allows sleeping in all positions

Cons:

  •     high price (50-80 EUR)
  •     poor neck support
  •     may trigger allergies and asthma
  •     demanding maintenance
 

Latex pillows

Latex pillows – filled with soft and fine foam that is produced from rubber tree milk – they have gained popularity thanks to its flexibility and hygienic properties.

Although they are not not as soft and full as feather pillows, experts say that these pillows provide excellent support for the neck and do not get compacted.
 
Benefits:
  •  excellent support for the neck
  •  good adaptability
  •  do not cause allergies
  •  do not compact or become thinner
 
Cons:
  •  can be costly (60-100 EUR)
  •  new pillow can have an unpleasant odor
  •  they must not be exposed to intense heat and direct sunlight
  •  should not be mechanically damaged
 


Memory foam pillows

Some like memory foam pillows, since they take the form of the body during sleep, before returning to their original shape in the morning.

These pillows provide excellent support for the neck, but are "too dense" and not breathable. New pillows can have an unpleasant odor, which usually disappears after a few days.

Memory pillows lose their elasticity relatively quickly and therefore they should be changed every three years.


Benefits:

  •  good support for the neck
  •  ideally adapted to body shape

Cons:

  •  not breathable
  •  have unpleasant odor at the beginning
  •  not durable


Buckwheat pillow

Buckwheat pillows are filled with thousands of buckwheat flakes, offering excellent support for the neck and good airflow.

However, these pillows are heavy and noisy because of the buckwheat flakes rustling. Some are also too hard.
 

Benefits:

  •  relatively cheap (20-40 EUR)
  •  excellent support for the neck
  •  better airflow than other pillows

Cons:

  •  relatively heavy
  •  buckwheat flakes rustle when you turn during the sleep
  •  too hard for some people


Polyester pillows

As a rule, we do not recommend polyester pillows, whether they are made of micro polyester or with gel balls, because they do not provide good support for the neck and attract mites.

On the other hand, these pillows are relatively inexpensive and can be easily replaced when worn out.

Add to this another good thing: these pillows can be washed in the washing machine.
 

Benefits:

  •  cheap (between 15-40 EUR)
  •  relatively durable
  •  you can wash them in the washing machine

Cons:

  •  poor support for the neck
  •  can be a hotbed of mites
  •  can emit chemicals

 

Pillows made of wool, silk and cotton

Pillows with a filling made of cotton, silk or wool are more expensive than other pillows. But people love their 100% natural filling, which provides good support for the neck.

Their disadvantage is that they get thinner with time, because their content gets compacted.

They also absorb sweat and fat more than other types of pillows, so that they need to be cleaned more often.

 

Benefits:

  •  good support for the neck
  •  comfortable and soft
  •  suitable for people with allergies
  •  100% natural material

Cons:

  •  price (50-100 EUR)
  •  not as full as other types of pillows
  •  may become flat over time
  •  need frequent cleaning
 

Price is not so important

When choosing a pillow, the price is not so important. High cost of the pillow does not make it a better choice for you. What really matters is how you feel asleep on a pillow. In most cases, you can choose the right pillow without having to spend too much money.
 

Try it in the store!
 
If you are in the store and have a chance to lie down and try out a pillow, be sure to do so. If this is not possible, press the pillow against the wall and take your favourite sleeping position as if the wall was the mattress. Ask someone to review how your neck is positioned. Your neck should be in a straight line with your spine.
 

 

Choosing a pillow according to your needs

For allergies and asthma:

Silk, cotton or wool, memory foam, buckwheat pillow

For headaches and insomnia

Buckwheat pillow

For neck and shoulder pains

Anatomical pillow with memory foam, buckwheat pillow

Excessive perspiration

Silk or wool pillow






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