How do I choose a suitable sleeping pillow for myself?
You have certainly searched the internet for a new sleep pillow and noticed that there are countless options available. But how are you supposed to know which pillow is right for you? Let me help you choose the pillow that not only supports your body posture while sleeping but also meets all your individual sleep needs. In this article from Gorilla Gesund, you will learn how to find the ideal sleep pillow.
The Choice of the Perfect Pillow
Let's start from scratch. The most important goal of your pillow is to support you in your preferred sleeping position all night long. And when I talk about "support," I don't just mean that it feels soft and cozy. The right pillow should keep your head, neck, and spine in neutral alignment and support the natural curvature of your spine. A neutral spine not only alleviates neck pain but also relieves pressure throughout the body.
Expert Tip: If you are unsure how to determine if your spine is in a neutral alignment, make sure that your ears are in line with your shoulders and your chin is in line with your sternum.
The Ideal Sleeping Position
Every sleeping position requires a different pillow to maintain a healthy body posture. But before I explain exactly what each sleep type should look for, don't forget the fun part of buying a pillow! Once you have addressed your body's needs and found a pillow that supports a neutral spine, you can focus on the many little details that fulfill your desires. After all, there are hundreds of pillows out there, so feel free to find the one that fits you perfectly.
Sleep position and preferences
"Your sleeping position is just one facet of your sleep habits, and there is much more to consider when searching for the perfect pillow. For example, people who sweat easily prefer memory foam, environmentally conscious individuals, and lovers of latex each have specific types of pillows to meet their personal preferences. Remember: Your pillow should always support a healthy body posture, but it should also match your overall personality."
The Perfect Choice for Your Sleep Pillow
The Right Choice for Back Sleepers
Needs: For a healthy posture, back sleepers need a pillow with medium height and medium firmness. Additionally, back sleepers can enjoy pillows made from materials that adapt to pressure, such as memory foam. Check out our list of the best Pillows for Back Sleepers to explore the wide range of available options.
The ideal construction for back sleepers
- Medium Height – A medium height relieves your neck and shoulders by providing a comfortable cushioning between you and your mattress.
- Medium firmness – A medium firmness provides adequate support for your head to keep it aligned with the spine and ensures that the pillow does not flatten out over the course of the night.
- Adaptation to pressure – Materials that closely adapt to pressure ensure that the head is comfortably embedded and remains in a neutral alignment with the neck.
Desired features for back sleepers
- Individual Adjustment – More and more brands are developing pillows that can be customized to meet the individual needs of sleepers. The Amrum neck pillow made of cold foam, for example, features a removable center section that allows you to experiment with height and firmness. Many pillows at Gorilla Gesund also offer adjustable fillings, so you can open the cover and manipulate the filling inside until you find the optimal feel and the best support for your body.
- Cooling Properties – If you tend to sweat easily, you should look for pillows with cooling properties. For example, the Sylt Neck Pillow made of Eucafeel foam features a cube profile with Eucafeel foam on the surface that stays cool all night long. Look for pillows with cool yarn or materials with phase change technology to ensure that your entire pillow remains cool.
- Elastic Support – Consider what type of support you want from your pillow. Some people prefer a lighter feel and an elastic response to pressure. Pillows filled with Dunlop or Talalay latex provide resilient support.
The Right Choice for Side Sleepers
Needs: Side sleepers require a pillow with high loft and firm support to maintain a neutral spine and healthy body posture. Fluffy materials like alpaca wool or moldable materials like memory foam are particularly useful in this sleeping position. Check out our list of the best pillows for side sleepers to discover the wide range of available options.
The ideal construction for side sleepers
- High Height – A pillow with high height elevates your head to keep it in neutral alignment with your spine and relieve pressure on your shoulder.
- Firm Support – A pillow with medium to firm support keeps your head and neck aligned with your spine all night long.
- Fluffy & Malleable – Cushions made with fluffy and malleable materials like Memory Foam or alternative down allow you to shape the cushion into the desired form and maintain a high height.
Desired features for side sleepers
- Moisture-wicking – If you tend to sweat at night, look for pillowcases made from moisture-wicking materials like polyester, Tencel, or bamboo.
- Natural & Organic – If you have sensitive skin or are prone to skin blemishes, choose cushions made from natural materials such as organic cotton, cellulose fibers, or natural latex.
- Breathable Foam – Foam materials tend to trap heat. Choose pillows with shredded memory foam instead of a solid piece of foam to ensure better breathability.
The Right Choice for Stomach Sleepers
The ideal construction for stomach sleepers
- Low Height – Stomach sleepers need a pillow with low height to keep the spine in a neutral alignment and avoid straining the neck.
- Soft Support – Pillows with Soft Support provide comfortable cushioning without raising the head too high.
- Compressible filling – Pillow with alpaca wool or alternative down is well suited for stomach sleepers, as they are easily compressible and maintain a low height.
Desired features for stomach sleepers
- Priority for Pillow Covers – Pillows with a traditional shape are ideal if you want to use decorative pillow covers. Opt for smooth, hypoallergenic covers like Tencel or organic cotton if you do not want to use pillow covers.
- No animal products – If you want to avoid animal products, choose pillows with alternative down fillings such as poly-gel fiber or microfiber.
Final Thoughts
There are many pillows to choose from, but that's a good thing if you know what you're looking for. Remember that a healthy sleeping position is the most important thing, and once you have achieved that, you can explore all the other features of your pillow. Sleep well, and if you ever feel lost in the jungle of pillows, Gorilla Gesund will be here to guide you.
