The average person sleeps 7-9 hours a night, meaning you spend around a third of the day intimately acquainted with your pillow. If you choose the right one, it can exponentially improve your sleep comfort, but if you choose wrong, it can worsen existing problems such as headaches, neck pain, shoulder and arm numbness and respiratory issues. To make your pillow relationship a happy one, follow our below pillow guide!

If you sleep on your side:

Side sleepers need pillows that are mouldable and supportive. Look for a pillow that will conform to the shape of your neck, filling in the gap between your ear and outer shoulder. This ensures that your head is kept high enough to align with your spine. Try memory foam or down-filled pillows, which easily adapt and keep the required position.

If you sleep on your back:

Back sleepers need thinner pillows so your head isn’t tilted too far forward. The ideal pillow doesn’t raise your neck but sufficiently supports your head so that it remains level with your spine. Avoid soft, synthetic pillows and instead try ones made of supportive memory foam, down or buckwheat.

If you sleep on your stomach:

A stomach sleeper needs the thinnest of all pillows as thick pillows will misalign your spinal cord. Those who sleep in this position are actually advised to try sleeping without a pillow, but if this proves too uncomfortable, many brands have specially designed ultra-thin pillows.

If you have allergies or asthma:

In this case, you need a pillow protected from dust mites and other inflammatory spores that often take up residence in bedding. The best protection from these comes from materials that are naturally hypoallergenic such as lambswool. However, pillows with synthetic anti-bacterial and anti-fungal fillings are also becoming popular choices.

If your tall or petite:

Remember that the pillow needs to be sized in relation to your body. If you’re petite you need a thinner pillow than someone who is a foot taller as your body proportions are different. A pillow that is comfortable for a larger person may raise your head too high, misaligning your spine. Make sure your pillow is perfect for your height by testing it before you remove it from the packaging.

We at The Natural Sleep Company hope our advice helps you find the perfect pillow. Remember, pillows need to be replaced every 12-18 months to prevent skin cells and dust mites from building up or support from wearing down! For more great tips and tricks on achieving the perfect night’s sleep, check out our Facebook page or previous posts.