Depending on your preferred position for sleeping, there’s probably a particular pillow that can help ensure you get the peaceful, uninterrupted rest you need every night. So which pillow is right for the way you sleep?
A Pillow Type Should Match Your Sleeping Position
If you sleep on your stomach:
A soft pillow provides a sensible amount of cushioning between your head and your mattress. For the softest, take a look at the superb nature of down for fill and feel.
If you sleep on your back:
A medium to firm pillow is your best choice for a good night’s sleep.
If you sleep on your side:
You need the support of a firm or extra firm pillow.
And, regardless of the position you tend to prefer, you always want your neck and back to align to a straight line. This can keep neck and back pain at bay.
Pillow Size Is Also Important
Pillows come in standard, queen and king sizes. Your sleeping position plus how weight is distributed between your shoulders, head and neck will determine the amount of support that you’ll need. So check out each pillow size carefully to find the one that suits you best.
The Upside Of Down
Down is the soft, fluffy cluster of filaments that grows under the feathers of ducks, geese and other waterfowl. A single down cluster contains thousands of soft filaments that radiate out from a central point to form a spherical plume. Each ounce of down has about 2 million tiny filaments that interlock to form a layer of insulation. (Which is why down comforters are such a great choice for a covering that’s not necessarily heavy yet keeps you warm and cozy.)
TIP: Based on years of experience helping our customers select the best pillows for the way they sleep, we recommend that you not refill a down pillow that’s been used for 3 or more years. You’ll end up with a mix of fresh and unusable down and your pillow will break down again, very quickly. So always go with a new down pillow after several years of use.
Scheuer Linens offers a great choice of pillows, whether down or synthetic fill is your ideal. Stop by our store in San Francisco or the pillow section of our site to get yours today.
Mark Scheuer is the creative force behind The Linen Doctor, the blog at Scheuer Linens. He loves helping customers discover and enjoy the most wonderful bed, bath, and table linens in the world. Join the conversation with Scheuer Linens on Twitter and Facebook. Or contact Mark at mark@scheuerlinens.com.
What happens if you start out on your stomach but wake up on your back? I seem to be an “all over” sleeper! How do I find a pillow to match all that I do?
If you can have only one pillow on your bed, I would recommend a medium firmness. Most people find the medium to be adequate for their needs anyway. If you can have two or more pillows, get one of each firmness.