Buying a pillow? Various features are important
The effect that a particular pillow has depends on many factors, such as the material, the shape, the height, any neck support, ventilation, etc. Even a pillowcase can still have an impact. Pillows can be made from many different materials , preferably from memory foam (also known as viscoelastic foam, NASA foam, or visco-elastic foam, see also on Wikipedia). Below, other factors are discussed, such as:
- With or without neck support
- The height
- The pillowcase
- Moisture-resistant features
- Durability
With or without neck support
A pillow without neck support has the disadvantage that the neck is not or insufficiently supported.
Sometimes one can fluff the pillow a bit so that the neck is well supported, but after turning over, that shape is not well maintained.
Pillows with neck support come in various types and sizes. Here are a few listed:
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Neck support with a block |
Mountain-valley shape | Mountain peak-valley |
Diverse orthopedic pillows have neck support in the shape of a block with a compartment behind it filled with down, feathers, or synthetic material. Such a block is often 12-15 cm wide, which is too wide: the ear rests on it.
If the neck support has the shape of a 'mountain', then the top of that mountain is not under the neck, but under the head: the neck is not well supported.
If the neck support starts at the top of a mountain, then the neck is well supported.
It makes a difference whether a neck support has a straight shape from left to right or is curved.
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Straight neck support |
Curved neck support |
With straight neck support, the cheek also rests on the neck support. This causes pressure and can be uncomfortable. This so-called ‘cheek effect’ is reduced if the sides of the pillow are lower than in the middle and also if the neck support is narrow and curved. The neck support then runs partly along under the cheek.
Additionally, a curved neck support has another advantage: it fits better against the shoulders when lying on the back.
The height
Many head pillows are available in different heights. It is not easy to make the right choice. Especially not in a store because one is wearing clothes, is not lying as relaxed, only tests for a short time, and not always in the same sleeping position as in their own bed. The impact of an incorrect height of a pillow is clear to everyone: the neck becomes misaligned.
The height of a pillow depends on the firmness of the mattress. The softer the mattress, the more the torso and shoulders sink into the mattress, and the lower the pillow should be.
Hard mattress, the shoulder sinks little into the mattress, the pillow is relatively high
Soft mattress, the shoulder sinks deeper into the mattress, the pillow is relatively low
The pillowcase
If a pillowcase is smaller than the pillow, then the pillow changes shape. Even a well-shaped and ergonomically designed pillow can take on an incorrect shape due to this, usually becoming too rounded. When purchasing a pillow and pillowcases, ensure that the pillowcases are not smaller than the pillow. Oversized pillowcases may not look as nice, but functionally, that is not a problem at all.Moisture-resistant features
People lose moisture during sleep. For pillows made from a solid block, it is important that the material has an open-cell structure or that they are equipped with sufficient grooves. Also, applied perforations, if sufficient in number, can prevent moisture problems. However, if a pillow is made from material with a closed-cell structure and it does not contain moisture-regulating grooves, then moisture cannot escape properly. This is uncomfortable and shortens the lifespan of a pillow. Whatever measures are taken, a pillow should be aired out well daily.