The average person will spend approximately one third of their life asleep, therefore having a comfortable and suitable pillow is important. There is an array of pillows available on the market and with so much choice available; buying a pillow isn’t that simple.  There are pillows for people who sleep on their back, pillows for stomach sleepers and for side sleepers.  The range available can make it hard to choose but the following information should help to make the right choice. 

When is it time to buy a new pillow..

As a general rule you should look to replace your pillow every 6 months to 2 years although this depends on the pillow fill.  For synthetic or feather/down pillows, try the following to see if your pillow might need replacing:-

Put your pillow on a reasonably flat surface and fold in half.  Put a runner/trainer on top.  If the shoe stays there or the pillow doesn’t spring back into shape, it’s probably time to buy a new one.

Soft or firm.. How do you sleep?

If you sleep on your stomach or have a small build, a low, soft pillow is best. Goose Downpillows are soft in feel or try the Egyptian cotton pillows which come in pairs for a little bit more of a lift.

If you sleep on your back a medium to firm pillow with a medium profile is best. The finesse pillow offers an air cushioned feel with firm support.  Alternatively, try the pocket spring pillow which is flexible but firm and offers a memory foam shell which moulds to the contour.

If you sleep on your side mostly or have a bigger body frame, a firm or extra-firm pillow might suit you better.  Memory foam pillow’s are ideal for side sleepers providing customised comfort and support.  If you are looking for an alternative to the memory foam pillow, the cosy pillow from Kaymed offers a softer touch but with good support.

Allergy sufferers and small children should go with an anti allergy pillow,  not only does this dual action pillow offer anti-microbial and anti-dustmite properties it is also machine washable.   A low pillow is suggested as most children end up asleep on their stomachs at some stage during the night and you don't want their heads jerked upwards too much and therefore throwing their spines out of alignment. 

If you suffer from a bad back or stiff neck, the orthopaedic pillow is ideal offering you a foam core surround to support your neck and shoulders.  If you feel this style of pillow is to firm, then a latex pillow is ideal.  Offering a soft feel, the latex pillow conforms to the shape of your head and provides support throughout the night.

If you snore in your sleep and you have ruled out sleep apnea, the latex pillow may assist.  This allows your head to be held into position with support to your neck allowing the airwaves to be open which is one cause of snoring.  However, there are occasions where snoring is the result of wrong sleeping position. Sometimes, sleeping with too many pillows can stretch and narrow the air passage. Use one pillow to avoid it. Also, lying on the back can cause snoring. So, a change in sleeping position can be a good help.

Come and visit us at your local Harvey Norman Store and find the perfect pillow for you today!