ARE YOU SLEEPING ON THE RIGHT PILLOW?
Written By Samantha Dym, Contributing Author.
Aging… it’s a part of life we wish we didn’t have to go through. As we get older our lives change. We get married, have children, change jobs, our children have children, our health and bodies change, and our skin ages as well. Eating right and getting enough rest is extremely important in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. In order to get the best sleep possible… we rely on fancy mattresses and pillows to help us fall comfortably asleep. But, how do you know you’re sleeping on the right pillow? They seem great when we first purchase them… they’re clean, fluffy… and ready to be used. But after some time… the pillow becomes flatter… less appealing… and we tend to just keep sleeping on it because we want to get our money’s worth from it. Here are some tips on how to purchase the right pillow for you:
Pillow Fill… Before we get into the nitty gritty about what type of pillow fill to use. Did you know that copper filled pillowcases are available to purchase? Copper reduces bacteria and induces collagen production, essentially smoothing wrinkles and lines on the face. Down feathers are the most common pillow fills. Then there are synthetic/polyester fibers and foam pillows. If you’re looking for long-lasting in terms of comfort… natural goose down feather pillows are great. However, they can get a little pricey. Synthetic/polyester fiber pillows are a less expensive option, most are generally hypoallergenic. They’re machine washable too! For firmer support, Tempur-Pedic pillows are the way to go. But foam pillows are known to retain heat, so if you sweat in your sleep a lot… it might not be best to purchase this type of pillow.
Thread counts… Just like your sheets…a higher the thread count means it will be more durable and plush to the touch. If you’re looking for something luxurious, try a 500 – 800 thread count pillow. Or, for a little more money… a 1,000 thread count pillow is ideal.
Fluffiness… As you know… a fluffier pillow provides better cushioning and is longer lasting. It also means that fresh air is still able to travel through it. Deflated / flat pillows can no longer trap air… which is not ideal for support. If you want to test your pillow’s fluffiness, simply fold it in half and see if it unfolds on its own or hug it and see if it fluffs back up. If not, you may need to look for a new pillow.
Proper sleep position… How you position yourself while you sleep can really determine the type of pillow you need. If you sleep on your back… it’s recommended to get a fluffier pillow that lifts your head and chin, which can help with breathing and/ or snoring issues.
Below are some popular pillows you can purchase:
“Save My Face!” Pillow
La Petite Pillow with Stick-N-Slide is a beauty pillow with satin on one side and micro-fiber on the other, which helps hold the pillow in place since it’s made from slippery material. There isn’t much head support… but this pillow is supposedly great for hair and skin. This pillow comes in a variety of colors and costs anywhere from $37.00 – $50.00.
TEMPUR-PEDIC
TEMPUR-Neck Pillow is for sleepers who want to address neck or back pain. This firm contoured design helps align your head, neck and shoulders. It comes in a variety of sizes from small to king medium. Prices vary by size from $89.00 – $159.00.
TEMPUR-Classic Pillow offers a standard pillow shape with TEMPUR material… molded to maintain its shape for pressure-relieving support. This pillow comes in one size, standard and runs about $99.00.
Mediflow
Mediflow Original Waterbase Pillow’s hypoallergenic fiber filling is supported by a water pouch. This water base pillow claims to greatly reduce tossing turning throughout the night. By adding water to your pillow, you can adjust the support to a level that’s right for you. Mediflow is sold through major retailers and runs anywhere from $35.00 – $55.00.
Sleep Number
Sleep Number’s AirFit Adjustable Contour Pillow is made of gel-infused memory foam to ensure a cool, comfortable sleeping temperature. It provides a firmer sleeping experience than a traditional foam pillow. This standard size pillow runs about $209.99. Prices are higher for larger sizes.
Sleep Number’s AirFit Adjustable with CoolFit Foam provides gel technology… which works within memory foam to create a cool, comfortable sleeping experience. This pillow comes in standard and king sizes. Standard cost is $189.99, King cost is $239.99.
My Pillow
My Pillow Premium is filled with 100% polyurethane foam. They call it “The World’s Most Comfortable Pillow.” But, is it true? We’ve read mixed reviews on this one. It is machine washable and the president of the company claims it will never lose its fluff. You can be the judge. My Pillow comes in standard/ queen, and king sizes. Prices range from $89.95 – $109.95.
Remember, a good pillow will give you a great night’s rest… which in turn promotes better health and better skin. You can also purchase a copper pillowcase if you want to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, such as the Cupron Cosmetic Pillowcase, which runs about $50.00. Or, if you’re looking for comfort from your pillow and prefer to stick with a beauty regimen that doesn’t involve sleeping on copper… NCN Skin Care has a variety of products to fight the appearance of wrinkles. Click here to view anti-aging products, including the popular GHK-Cu Copper Peptide Serum with EGF. Be sure to wash your pillowcases once a week to get rid of the dead skins cells. Happy pillow shopping!