How To Pick The Right Pillow

What happens when we don’t get enough sleep? According to the Australian Centre for Education in Sleep, many aspects of our being can be negatively affected including our behaviour, emotion, ability to learn, health, creativity and more.
‘Pillows play a really important role in quality of sleep,’ says chiropractor Dr. Leigh Sheldrick B.App.Sci (chiro). ‘Little or no support in this area can lead to neck pain, poor sleeping posture, and can even affect how well you breathe.’ Assess your pillow needs below with the need-to-know details.

SIDE SLEEPER

Side sleeping – the best way to sleep according to experienced practitioner Dr. Sheldrick – helps keep the three major curves in the spine in their natural shape. This means more comfort and less strain on the body during the night. Maintain your side style with pillows made out of solid material such as foam, rubber or latex.

BACK SLEEPER

It’s important for back sleepers to keep their head in a neutral position: where chin is neither tucked in toward the neck, nor pointing upwards. If this is your sleep style, Dr. Sheldrick recommends opting for a lower pillow with a contour that’s made of solid material such as foam, rubber, latex, or bamboo.

STOMACH SLEEPER

This style is best avoided according to Dr Sheldrick, who says having your head fully rotated to one side is taxing on the body. For those that find themselves in this position, try a loosely packed pillow that’s soft and has no contour. Materials best suited are: feather, down and wool as the head is able to ‘sink’ into these and avoid being extremely rotated to maintain airways.
Penny Tsiklas, Logan & Mason sales manager, says the Deluxe Memory Foam Pillow is currently their most popular with shoppers. ‘It’s the ultimate balance of support and comfort, moulding to the head and neck while improving alignment and circulation. It’s also anti-microbial, dust mite resistant, and low allergenic.’

CARING FOR YOUR PILLOW

Pillows are a breeding ground for bacteria and dust mites. Keep them fresh with protectors that are removable and machine washable for easy added comfort. Look at replacing your pillows every two years at the absolute maximum notes Dr. Sheldrick, and wash pillow cases and protectors regularly.