Which pillow to sleep on – down or synthetic?
A properly selected pillow is an element that improves the quality of sleep - it provides ideal support for the head and optimal air circulation during sleep. In addition, sleeping pillows allow you to relax your muscles and even improve the patency of the respiratory tract. Sleeping on a poorly selected pillow, we provide ourselves with morning stiffness and pain in the cervical spine and headaches resulting from incorrect positioning of the head during sleep. Choosing the right pillow is a guarantee of healthy rest. How to choose a comfortable sleeping pillow and what filling should it have - down or synthetic? How does the type of filling affect our sleep comfort? Here is everything you need to know. We present a ranking of sleeping pillows, we will show the advantages and disadvantages of both options - down and synthetic pillows.
Which pillow to choose? – types of pillows for sleeping
Memory foam pillows
As the name suggests, foam pillows respond to body temperature. Under the influence of body temperature, the thermoelastic foam perfectly adapts to the shape of the head, which provides optimal support for the cervical spine and proper positioning of the body. A comfortable contoured pillow remembers your individual body shape, so that the pillow perfectly adapts to your unique features - just like well-chosen shoes.
Latex pillows
Latex is stiff and durable, so latex pillows do not deform and support the neck, head, shoulders and back well,
Orthopedic pillows
Orthopedic models provide proper support for people suffering from cervical spine disorders, which helps them adopt the correct sleeping position. Profiled pillows in various shapes are recommended for people who sleep on their backs.
Down filled pillows
This is probably the best traditional pillow that we can currently buy. Our grandparents slept on such pillows. The pillow is filled with natural down, which provides the appropriate thermoregulatory properties of the pillow ,
Pillows with synthetic filling
The filling of such pillows is a synthetic material that is hypoallergenic (does not cause allergies) and easy to care for - which is why it is very often contained in hotel pillows , which must also be adapted to the needs of people with allergies .
What pillow filling to choose, or the ranking of the best pillows
Let's focus on discussing the features of the last two types of sleeping pillows - down and synthetic. Which one will provide optimal support and comfort and adapt to the shape of the body? What should you consider when choosing the best sleeping pillow? We discuss all these issues in detail later in our text.
Soft down pillows and their benefits
A pillow made of goose down is soft, springy, flexible and delicate. It has hygroscopic properties, which means it absorbs moisture and also provides very good air circulation. This means that it does not cause excessive sweating during sleep. It is also warm. However, in order for it to show us all its advantages, you should choose a pillow with a natural, cotton or silk cover that will not disturb the air circulation inside it and will allow moisture to pass through well. Additionally, such a cover will be pleasant to the touch.
A down pillow is the perfect all-season pillow – it provides warmth in winter and a pleasant coolness in summer. Equally important, it provides the best support for your head and neck – you can use it to sleep on your side or back, and it will adapt to the shape of your body like no other . This is the best sleeping pillow for people who expect high comfort in every respect.
Good down pillows also have their drawbacks
Unfortunately, a pillow with a natural filling, e.g. feathers, will not work for allergy sufferers, because dust mites accumulate in it. For the same reason, it must be looked after very carefully - and this is not easy. You cannot simply throw it in the washing machine , because the feathers and down will lose all their properties - feather pillows should be professionally cleaned. Regular airing of a down pillow is a must.
When it comes to price, a down pillow is considered to be an expensive expense, but it is a one-time investment that will last a long time.
Synthetic Filled Sleeping Pillow – Advantages
The synthetic filling of a sleeping pillow is not a good habitat for dust mites. A synthetic pillow will work well for allergy sufferers as an ideal anti-allergic pillow. It provides adequate support for the head, neck and shoulders (although it is not an orthopedic or ergonomic pillow) and is available in various sizes and degrees of hardness . Pillows made of hypoallergenic material are safe for people suffering from allergies, synthetic fibers do not cause allergies. Unlike down pillows, they can be washed in a washing machine and dried in a tumble dryer.
Disadvantages of a pillow with synthetic filling
One of the disadvantages of synthetic sleeping pillows is the fact that they lose their elasticity quite quickly, which rules out their long-term use. A well-fitted pillow should absolutely maintain its shape for a long time, which unfortunately synthetic pillows do not provide. Synthetic pillows absorb moisture, but have difficulty releasing it back into the environment . In the case of people who sweat a lot during the night, there is therefore a risk of it getting damp. After a longer period of time, the filling compresses and no longer returns to its proper shape , so you will have to regularly replace such a pillow with a new one.
Best Sleeping Pillow – Requirements
Do you already know which sleeping pillow will work for you? Remember that the type of filling is not everything - choosing a sleeping pillow is much more complicated. The selected pillow must fulfill additional functions. Your cervical spine must be in a straight line on the pillow. A comfortable pillow combined with an ideal mattress will ensure comfort during sleep. When choosing the right pillow for yourself, you must therefore pay attention to this fact.
Which pillow to choose? – check if the chosen sleeping pillow is right for you
Lie down on a pillow so that your head is in the middle of the pillow and your arms are resting on the mattress. If your chin is tilted forward, your pillow is too high. On the other hand, a pillow that is too low causes your head to tilt back. With a well-chosen pillow, you should not feel any discomfort or pain.
How to choose a pillow according to firmness?
It is essential to pay attention to its firmness and choose a pillow not only to your taste, but also to the firmness of the mattress. When choosing a pillow, be guided by your preferences regarding the position in which you sleep most often.
A soft pillow for sleeping works well when you have a soft mattress, while a hard pillow works well when you have a hard mattress. A pillow that is too hard on a soft mattress causes the body to sink and the head to be too high in relation to the rest of the body. The neck arches, causing muscle tension and pain . On the other hand, a pillow that is too soft on a hard mattress causes the head to fall down.
If you don't know which pillow to choose for your mattress, check the label sewn onto it. All mattresses - pocket, foam, latex or spring - have a hardness marked by the manufacturer, based on which you should choose a pillow according to the principle described above . A soft pillow will adapt better to the curves of your body, but after some time it may lose its elasticity. A stiff pillow can cause discomfort during a night's rest. For the undecided, there is also the possibility of choosing a universal model with medium hardness.
Comfortable cushion height
To achieve adequate support for your neck and head, you need to consider the height of your sleeping pillow.
You should be guided by the position you adopt during sleep. A good pillow for sleeping on your side should not be too high or too low - the entire spine should be in a straight line . Sleeping on your side therefore requires proper neck support - instead of an orthopedic pillow, choose one made of down, it adapts perfectly to the needs of people sleeping on their side.
In the case of people who sleep on their back (supine) - a pillow that is too high will cause the cervical vertebrae to be unnaturally positioned forward, while one that is too low will bend them backward. In both cases, you may notice not only morning headaches and neck pain, but even wake up at night due to breathing disorders . In the case of sleeping on your stomach, a low and medium-firm pillow will work well. However, if you like to sleep on your stomach, it is worth considering changing your position, because sleeping on your stomach causes the spine to bend in an unnatural way. In turn, people who often change position during sleep should pay attention to the position in which they most often fall asleep and wake up and choose a pillow based on this information.
New Sleeping Pillow – When to Buy It?
If you snore in your sleep, have sleep apnea, choose a high pillow. If you toss and turn in bed, can't find a comfortable position for yourself and struggle with back pain, then you should definitely replace your old pillow with a new one.
If you sweat excessively at night, feel pain in the cervical spine and have tension headaches right after waking up - this is a sign that you need a new comfortable pillow, preferably with a natural filling or an orthopedic pillow made of memory foam . Remember that the reason for not getting enough sleep may be an inappropriate pillow, which offers you pain and stiffness in the neck instead of full regeneration. In order to maintain the properties of both down and synthetic pillows, you should wash and dry the pillows properly, preferably according to the labels, which contain washing instructions.
Best Sleeping Pillow – Summary
The right type of pillow has a big impact on sleep hygiene, restorative rest, comfortable, peaceful sleep and well-being after waking up. Additionally, it helps to avoid many health problems.
A comfortable pillow is one that will adapt to the shape of your body, provide good support for the head and cervical vertebrae, as well as thermal comfort and will last for a long time . The ideal pillow should be adjusted to individual preferences and the mattress. If you have a large bed, pillows placed next to each other (two or even three) will guarantee undisturbed sleep anywhere on your bed.
The type of filling, hardness and shape of the pillow are important. Additionally, the pillow and its cover should provide adequate air circulation. Our offer includes microfiber pillows, which are of great quality, can be washed in a washing machine and are pleasant to the touch .
The down pillow available in our store's assortment is filled with Polish down and will definitely stay with you for a long time, retaining its properties . If you do not suffer from allergies, then a pillow with a feather filling will be an excellent choice for you. A profiled pillow is a choice for people suffering from back pain. Small decorative pillows are used as additional support for the cervical spine. A soft mattress in pair with a roll can be a solution for people who do not like sleeping on pillows.