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Bed Basics
Bed Basics

How to Select Your Perfect Pillow

By The Mattress Firm Sleep Experts
December 6, 2017
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Finding quality sleep accessories for your sleep style can be a challenge, especially when it comes to your pillow. Simply fluffing one at the store doesn't give you a good perspective of how it will feel when it's time for bed. Because pillows provide us with the support and comfort we need during sleep, it's important to carefully select one that best fits your sleep habits.

Did you know we offer pillows and other sleep products that you can test in store before you bring them home? Talk with a Mattress Firm employee to point you in the right pillow direction.

While it's easy to get attached to a pillow that you've held near and dear for a long period of time, its crucial to understand the importance of replacing your pillows. We recommend swapping your old pillows out for new ones every two years. Why? Because over time, your pillow breaks down and what was once supportive and fresh, now appears lumpy and stained.

Choose a Pillow That Fits Your Needs

Here are a few things to consider when making that new plush purchase:

Support yourself.


Just like your mattress, you will spend one-third of your life laying on a pillow, so make sure you are sleeping on the proper quality of pillow and with the proper quantity of pillows. In addition to providing comfort, pillows help provide the necessary support for your neck and spine. Give yourself a good night's sleep, without worry of morning neck cramps, by selecting the right one.

Even though they are small, pillows make up 25% of our sleeping surface and can easily make or break a solid snooze. In fact, these tiny piles of plush can support up to 20% of our body weight — talk about heavy sleepers!

Pick the proper pillows for your position.

Keep in mind that the number of pillows you need can change based on your sleep style and position. Just like a mattress, there is no one pillow that is right for everyone.

  • Are you a back sleeper? Consider using a traditional pillow under your head as well as an additional pillow between your knees. This will help remove pressure from your lower back and allow you to sleep the whole night.
  • Prefer to sleep on your stomach? While we don't recommend it, as doing so can cause back pain, if you are a stomach sleeper, we suggest placing one pillow under your head and another thin pillow under your abdomen, removing some of the pressure off of your back.
  • Like snoozing on your side? Use one pillow for your head and then another small one underneath your top armpit and one between your legs. This sounds like a lot of fluff, but it will keep your spine aligned, ultimately helping you sleep more comfortably.

Commit to comfort.


Regardless of what sleeping position you prefer, remember that it's important to give yourself enough comfort and support — and pillows play a large role in that. The right pillow can help reduce aches and pains, allowing your body to become perfectly aligned while in bed. Don't sabotage a good night's sleep by skimping on pillow selection; take the time to find the best pillow for your sleep style.

 

We have more sleep tips and pillow talk; visit one of the Mattress Firm locations in your area if you have current pillow complaints — we can help!

More:

Pillows, 
Bedding Accessories

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