Pillow Talk . . . Finding The Perfect Pillow.
Ah, the frustration of finding the perfect pillow! Have you found yours, yet? It is important to remember that a pillow should be designed to help maintain and restore your posture while you sleep. The older the pillow, the less likely it still has enough structure left to properly support you while sleeping. How old your pillow is really does matter. While everyone has their favorite type or shape of pillow, most of us have no idea when the last time we actually replaced our pillows was. Some people will get new pillows if they move or purchase a new bed or bedding set, but for most of us, those old faithful nighttime companions are outlasting almost every other item in the room.
The health consequences that can arise from holding on too long to your cushy friend can span from slightly cringe-worthy to all out gag-inducing. Pillows will collect body oils and skin flakes over time, even when covered by pillow cases, which in turn lead to the build up of dust mites. When those pesky dust mites combine with the oils from perspiration and sleepy drool you end up with a breeding ground for bacteria, mildew
and even mold. I know that was gross, but it is truly important to ask yourself how old the pillow your sleeping with really is. Realize the average department store pillow only lasts from twelve to eighteen months before losing its healthy support factor.
There are some simple methods you can employ to determining if your pillow’s healthy. If you own a polyester or fiber-fill pillow, fold it in half and then place a shoe on the top. If the pillow is able to unfold and knock the shoe off, then it still has life left in it. If however, the pillow is unable to unfold and the shoe is able to hold it in place, then it is time to go shopping for a replacement. With a feather or down pillow the quality test is a little different. You have to fold this type of pillow in half and squeeze out as much air as you can, making it as flat as possible. No shoe necessary this time; just release and observe. When you release the pressure, the pillow should unfold and return to its normal shape and size on its own right away. If not and it just lies there, then it is a dead pillow. It is time to put it out of its misery and go shopping for a new one.
Pillows are often unappreciated and therefore not enough importance is placed on them. That is kind of ironic since you place your head on one every night. So, what exactly is the purpose of your pillow? The answer to that is easy. A good pillow provides structural support for the neck, including support for muscles, ligaments, tendons and even the nervous system! The amount and type of support provided depends on your preferred sleeping position, which will be the subject of a future article. Usually someone who sleeps on their side will need and desire a different pillow than someone who sleeps on their stomach or back. Ultimately a quality pillow provides us with a comfortable head and neck position that can help ensure a good night sleep and allow the beneficial effects of structural support to be maximized.
How you sleep determines what you will want to look for in a new pillow. There are a huge variety of pillows on the market with some having an enormous price tag and others touting special features. Everyone has seen the funny shaped pillows with grooves and bumps or pillows made from materials such as memory foam and even pillows filled with air or water. Regardless of the model or type of pillow you choose, the two most important concepts to keep in mind while determining the right choice of pillow for you and your family, are pillow shape and pillow factor. These two pillow qualities work together to provide the support needed to prop up the neck and head so that the spine stays aligned.
Overall, think about these two simple ideas as you lie down for your next good night’s sleep. An old pillow does not provide the support you need. And second, the average adult spends eight hours a night sleeping. That means the average adult spends a third of their life sleeping. People often get frugal when buying a new quality pillow, but just think about how much time that is! Most people walk or run far less than eight hours a day and will not hesitate to spend large amounts of money on a new pair of shoes that will only last eight months! Good pillows last for years and can make the difference between waking up sore, achy and tired; or waking up rested, energized and free from neck pain. The first step is go to the store and engage in some pillow talk. Ultimately, the better you sleep, the better you feel and operate!
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