Nothing compares to a good night's sleep. You wake refreshed, ready to tackle anything. The problem is that many of us never realize this scenario, ever. We try to achieve this goal by changing our nightly rituals, by cutting out that after dinner coffee, removing the television from our bedrooms so we are not tempted to watch just a few more minutes of late night TV, and even going so far as to purchase a brand new mattress. Yet, none of this seems to change the fact that we still spend the night tossing and turning, disrupting ourselves from any chance of rest with never ending insomnia. What else could be wrong, what could we have overlooked in our quest for a full night of shuteye? Have you changed your pillows lately?

Is your Pillow Ready to Retire?

With the goal being a night of restful sleep, pillow configuration can be the deciding factor in obtaining that very objective. If your pillow is older than six months old, chances are it needs replacing. Depending on the quality of the construction, a pillow may last up to two years, but usually much less. If it is clearly showing signs of wear, such as loss of shape, stuffing bunched to one side, fluffing does not correct malformation, folding the pillow in half results in it staying folded and not springing back to its intended shape, and overall flatness, it is time to shop.

What to Look for in a New Pillow

In order to purchase a pillow that is going to allow you to bypass the insomnia zone, you need to know in what position you would normally sleep. Your goal is to know what pillow firmness is going to allow your neck and spine to be aligned properly. Consider if you are a back sleeper, what an overstuffed pillow would do to your head and spine. It would raise your head up so that no alignment is going to occur. For that to happen, you would need a flatter pillow. That same overstuffed, firm pillow would work well if you slept on your side. Consider the depth of your shoulder in comparison to the distance from your head to the bed. In order to fill that large area, thus providing an equal surface to position your head so that it were even with your spine, would require the thick, overstuffed version.

Orthopedic pillows exist in several different shapes and materials. Some promise to keep their shape or mold and conform to your head and shoulder, always keeping spine alignment as the number one focus. Consider the different materials they are made of, pull them out of their boxes, and inspect them. Read the labels to understand what you are purchasing and what the promises are. With the added cost that these pillows incur, be as informed as you can before you lay out any cash for one. If you can pinpoint the one that is going to provide that balance between your head and sleeping surface that we have been discussing, an orthopedic pillow is an ideal choice.

Body pillows are perfect for side sleepers who need to align not only their head and spine, but also the lower portion of their body.

Pillow Types

The fill of the pillow you choose is one of the most important aspects, next to the construction. Different fills provide different advantages depending on the user.

Husk and seed pillows are a centuries old fill brought back to life with man's renewed interest in all things natural. They work well for those people looking for a pillow that offers both firm support and the ability to shape their pillow depending on the moment. Husk and seed pillows will mold to the conformity of your head or head and shoulders and keep the shape until you move. They do have a small disadvantage that no other pillow has, and that is their noise factor. Some people claim that they make a small rustling noise that can be unsettling. The noise is slight, and for many, the comfort they offer far outweighs any small sounds the pillows may emit when in use.

Down and feather filled pillows are as old a choice as the husk and seed. What has changed through the years is that many now come in hypoallergenic choices. If your pillow has any chance of becoming damp, such as in an extremely humid area, or if it may be used in a camper or boat, I would not recommend either, as they can develop an odor under those conditions.

Memory foam pillows often fall under the same category as orthopedic. Known for how well they retain their shape, they are often shaped unconventionally in comparison to what most would consider a normal pillow shape. If you are a chronic sufferer of shoulder, neck, or back pain, memory foam pillows may be your answer to a good night of rest.

Cotton filled pillows are available in a range of thicknesses and comfort levels. If you can pinpoint the proper combination you require, a cotton-filled pillow is an ideal choice. They also have the added benefit of working well for people that have allergies.

Foam filled pillows are inexpensive. They are also often of lower quality than your average pillow. They come in a range of fills from solid, to shredded, and pellets.

Final Notes

Keep in mind as you consider the different thicknesses and styles of pillows. That even though we rarely give a lot of thought to the pillows that adorn our beds, they could be one of the most important parts of our sleeping success. Purchase new pillows on a regular basis, before your current ones have reached the stage of inadequacy. Always look at the material used to cover the fill, and the overall construction. Read the label for washing instructions, if any, and any warranties to cover defects and length of use.

By providing yourself with comfortable pillows on a continual basis, that goal of a full night of restful sleep will not just be a dream.