[Part 1] Picking the Perfect Pillow For Your Sleep Style

Your Sleep Position Dictates Exactly the Type of Pillow you Need The Right Pillow will Completely Change Your Quality of Sleep [Yep, there is a right pillow for each sleep position] Okay, let’s start from square one. At the end of the day, your pillow’s most important job is to support you in your go-to sleeping position, all night long. And when I say, “support,” I don’t just mean that it feels soft and cozy. The right pillow should keep your head, neck, and spine, all in neutral alignment, and support the natural curvature of your spine. Keeping a neutral spine not only alleviates neck pain, it also relieves pressure throughout your entire body. TIP: If you’re not exactly sure how to tell if your spine is in neutral alignment, check to make sure your ears are in line with your shoulders, and your chin is in line with your sternum. [Neutral Spine Alignment] Stomach Sleepers  When it comes to stomach sleeping, finding the perfect pillow can be a little tricky. In fact, some experts suggest avoiding the prone position altogether, as it tends to position the upper cervical spine at end-range rotation or extension. Essentially, this means you’re at greater risk of straining your neck, and putting pressure on your lower back or abdomen. But if you can’t help it, what is proper pillow support for stomach sleepers, exactly? - Low Loft — In order to maintain neutral spine alignment, stomach sleepers need a pillow with low loft (two inches or shorter). If your pillow’s loft is even slightly too high, your head will be craned upwards, and your whole posture will be thrown out of whack. Remember: your pillow should support the natural C curve of your spine. - Soft Support — Pillows with soft support are going to provide a cushy buffer between you and your mattress, but also ensure that your head is not too propped up. The firmer the pillow, the more likely it is for your neck to be lifted out of alignment with your spine (and that’s when the soreness sets in). - Compressible Fill — Pillows filled with feathers or down alternatives are ideal for stomach sleepers. Why? Well, those materials are easily compressed into a super low loft. They are also very shapeable, which lends itself well to stomach sleepers who like to embrace the underside of the pillow rather than lie with their arms at their side. Finding a pillow with an adjustable fill is also a bonus, as you can decrease the loft as much as you need. Back Sleepers  In order to maintain healthy posture, back sleepers need what I refer to as a “happy medium pillow,” meaning it’s got a medium loft, and a medium firmness. Additionally, back sleepers might find that pillows filled with materials that conform to pressure (like memory foam, for example), are particularly beneficial. You might now be wondering, “But why do back sleepers need a pillow with medium loft and firmness?” Well, I’m glad you asked. Let’s take a closer look: - Medium Loft — A medium loft is going to help relieve pressure in your neck and shoulders by providing a nice, cushy buffer between you and your mattress. If your pillow is too lofty, your head will be craned upwards (ouch, my neck!). If it’s not lofty enough, you’re pretty much lying flat on your mattress (well this isn’t comfortable.) - Medium Firmness — A medium firmness will keep your head supported enough to be aligned with the spine, and ensure that the pillow won’t flatten over the course of the night. If your pillow is too soft, it’s likely to lose its shape under the weight of your head. - Conform to Pressure — Materials designed to tightly conform to pressure can serve to keep the head feeling comfortably cradled, and held in neutral alignment with the neck. Additionally, pillows that feature a tufted top are going to provide some extra cushion upon which you can rest your temples (many back sleepers sleep with their head tilted to one side). Side Sleepers To keep a neutral spine and healthy posture, side sleepers need a pillow with a high loft, and firmer support. Side sleepers might also find that fluffable materials like Kapok, or shapeable materials like down, are particularly useful for the lateral position. Here’s why: - High Loft — Most importantly, a pillow with a taller profile is going to prop your head up so that it’s in neutral alignment with your spine. Additionally, a lofty pillow will relieve pressure in your shoulder, and make sure that it’s not bearing the brunt of your body’s weight. If you ever feel like your shoulder is deeply digging into your mattress, your pillow might not be lofty enough. - Firm Support — Pillows with a medium firm or firm level of support will serve to keep your head and neck in line with your spine throughout the night. If your pillow is too soft, your head will gradually sink down over the course of your 40 winks, throwing your spine out of neutral alignment (hello, stiff neck). - Fluffy & Shapeable — Firmer pillows can take some getting used to, so I suggest searching for fluffable materials like Kapok, down, or down-alternatives. These materials are pretty soft on their own, so make sure your pillow is amply stuffed, and the loft is high. But finding a pillow that can be fluffed into a higher loft is often beneficial for side sleepers with broader shoulders. Also, pillows that are easily shaped allow you to reach one arm beneath the pillow in a cozy embrace, which is a go-to move for many side sleepers. Look Out for Part Two  Part two we will go further into specific factors about the pillow and be answering the questions you should be asking when finding your next perfect pillow. We will cover areas regarding materials, temperature, moisture, pillow fillings, replacement time, pillowcases, and more! We are going to make sure you are aware of everything you need to know so your head can spend ⅓ of its time on something that will help you sleep, and not cause you pain.   You Might Like    [Learn more about RevenueStripe...](                                Sun Universal Media | 314 E. Dania Beach Blvd. #132 | Dania Beach, FL 33004 | United States [Unsubscribe]( from future marketing messages from Sun Universal Media