Have you been struggling to sleep, or have you been waking up with a stiff neck? You may need to replace the pillow you have. Many people are under the impression to havea comfortable sleep is a good quality mattress but unfortunately the right answer is to have a good pillow that can significantly improve the quality of sleep you get. Below is a guide to how you can choose a pillow for comfort and support.

1. Why does it matter?

For sound sleep and restful nights, you need to ensure that you have a good sleeping posture. This will also help you not to wake up with pain and stiffness in your neck and shoulders. A good sleeping posture requires your body to be aligned from the hips and knees, up the spine to the chest, shoulders and neck. Remember that if you sleep 7-8 hours a night, this is approximately 2,500 hours a year! A good pillow is always a worthwhile investment.

2. When should you change?

The general rule of thumb is that pillows must be replaced after 18 months. This does not apply to all pillows. Some memory foam pillows can last up to 36 months and natural pillows tend to last longer than synthetic ones. Higher quality pillows also last longer than their less expensive counterparts. If your pillow smells, does not spring back to shape when folded or has dirt stains, you need to replace it.

3. A few things to consider

Before you start picking between the different types of pillows that there are, you need to keep in mind that this process is unique for each person. There is no size, shape or material that will suit everyone. You need one that caters to your personal needs and specifications. You need to pick out the right pillow fill/fibre, fill weight, fill quality, size, fabric and chemistry for you. As you narrow down the options, it should get easier to choose just one.

4. Pillows for different sleeping positions

Do sleeping positions affect the type of pillow that matches a person? Definitely yes! Even though these are general guidelines, they are very handy when you are choosing a new pillow. People that sleep on their side need firm and thick pillows stomach sleepers need softer pillows to support their head or pelvis. People that sleep on their backs need flatter pillows so that their head and neck are always aligned well.

So, what are you waiting for? Visit our website to view our full catalogue of pillows. At Maine and Crawford, we have many types of pillows to suit every preference and price point. You are just a click away from the sleep that you deserve.