To begin with, we spend a third of our lives sleeping. For example, if you live 90 years, you will sleep 30 of them. So why spend such a huge amount of time on poor-quality sleep? In this article I will find out what’s so good about orthopedic neck pillows (including orthopedic neck pillow by Nygex) and what makes you have a great night's sleep every night.
There is a common misconception that quality sleep depends only on the mattress. However, many need to remember that pillows also play an important role in this issue. It can improve the quality of the rest in a truly stunning way. How to choose a perfect pillow? What characteristic is more important — filler or size? Who needs an orthopedic pillow, and why?
Checklist: 5 signs that your pillow is no good for you
1. You feel neck pain, back pain, shoulder pain or any body ache in the morning. This may mean your pillow is too high (or thick). The opposite occurs when you try to fluff the pillow or put your hand under it when sleeping. This may indicate that your pillow is too low (or thin). The pillow's height is considered optimal if the angle between the neck and shoulder is 90 degrees when you lay on the side.
2. You toss and turn for a long time, can't fall asleep, and get comfortable on a pillow.
3. Pillow filler is out of service. This means that after pressing the pillow, you shouldn’t shake it to make it more comfortable. The filler should quickly return to its original lush shape.
4. You frequently sneeze, your nose or eyes itch, and you cannot determine the source of the allergy, pay attention to the pillow. Such reactions are often caused by down, feather, and wool fillers.
5. There is an unpleasant smell that comes from the new pillow. It might mean that the filler has been poorly cleaned and dried in a humid and polluted environment, where microorganisms multiply rapidly.
Remember that healthy sleep is crucial for strong immunity, youth, beauty, and productivity. In addition, a good night’s sleep reduces stress and pressure on nerves.
Which pillow is better: a thick or a thin one?
Well, it depends on your body and sleeping habits! To understand how to choose the pillow's height, first, you need to understand which position of the spine is proper when sleeping. It’s perfect when the spine forms a straight line. On the other hand, if the pillow is too thin or too thick, the neck will take an unnatural position, which is detrimental to health.
The choice of height depends on your build and weight. The basic rule is that the more weight, the higher the pillow should be.
In most cases, people choose pillows, which are 10-14 cm in height which is quite suitable. But broad-shouldered people need more elastic pillows (14-17 cm in height). Too thick a pillow may result in neck pain, back pain, shoulder pain, and any body aches in the morning. But if the pillow turns out to be too thin, you will instinctively try to lie higher, putting your hand under your head or pillow.
Another important criterion is your favorite sleeping position. According to a National Sleep Survey conducted in the United States, most people prefer to sleep on their side. The position in which you sleep will largely depend on the height and stiffness of the pillow.
If you are a back sleeper, choose medium height pillow (8-10 cm), medium stiffness, and a recess for the head. Pay attention to the fact that your shoulders should not lie on the pillow. Its task is to provide you with support for the neck and head.
If you are a side sleeper, choose a thick and rigid pillow, as it should fill the space between the shoulder and ear and support your neck. The pillow's height should equal the width of your shoulder — the part from the base of the neck to the shoulder point. On average, such a pillow will be 12 cm in height.
If you are a stomach sleeper, you need a soft, thin, almost flat pillow with a height of 6-8 cm. Some people do without such a pillow, but we recommend putting a pillow under your stomach to avoid lower back pain.
If you often toss and turn, pick up a moderately soft pillow of medium height.
Which pillow is better: a thick or a thin one? Now, you are to make your choice! Consider all the given tips and decide which pillow you should go for. Remember that the right orthopedic neck pillow helps reduce stress and pressure on nerves, improves the quality of your rest and provides you with a great night's sleep every night!
To sum up, don’t forget that the pillow should be combined with the mattress. The right combination is a hard mattress and a soft pillow, and vice versa — a soft mattress with a hard pillow. If you want to improve the quality of sleep, every detail is essential.
Now, if you’re confused between choosing a thick or a thin one, buy the right pillow, which you can find on the Nygex website! As well as a wide selection of Home, Health, and Personal products to inspire you to be your best self and make healthy living the new standard.