To sleep well, a quality bed and mattress are not enough. Supporting the head and neck, your pillow is just as important. To find the one that will suit you best, here we offer you a complete guide that will help you choose the right size pillow.
The importance of a suitable pillow
Getting a good night's sleep is essential to feeling good every morning. Restorative sleep requires a box spring and mattress adapted to your needs, as well as a pillow whose size and shape suit you. In stores, you can find a large number of cushions in various formats, to choose according to your preferences and your morphology . In order to see more clearly among the possible options, we take stock of the different types of existing pillows.
The most common designs are square and rectangular pillows. We can also mention the long cushions, resembling bolsters , as well as specific models to treat certain pathologies such as ergonomic or cervical pillows with their recognizable wave shape. Depending on the sleeper, it is possible to favor certain products that will provide you with additional support during the night. Density, material and filling are all elements of certain importance. In terms of comfort, relaxation and health, the dimensions of your pillow should not be neglected.
To help you make your choice, we present here the main sizes of pillows available on the market. For each, their advantages and limitations are detailed, which will allow you to choose the model whose properties suit you best.
Square pillow sizes
A square pillow (or French) is often considered more suitable for relaxation than for sleep. It provides ideal support for the back and lower back when seated. The square format is also interesting for protecting your upper back when you are seated on a chair or armchair. For sleeping, health specialists do not necessarily recommend this type of model. With a large pillow, your head will tend to be elevated, which contributes to breaking the right alignment of the spine, which can lead to long-term back pain.
A square pillow is interesting, however, for sitting comfortably on a sofa or on a bed, especially for reading before bed. With this format, the standard sizes are 60 x 60 cm or 65 x 65 cm. If you have a large build, the second models, more imposing, will provide you with increased comfort on the back.
Rectangular pillow sizes
The rectangular (or American) pillow is the preferred model to combine comfort and quality of sleep. This is the most common format in hotels, because it suits the greatest number of people. This type of pillow is very interesting for its ability to adapt to all types of sleepers , whether they are used to sleeping on their back, stomach or side. Its dimensions make it possible to clear the head and prevent it from being placed too high in relation to the back. The rectangular format allows you to occupy a large surface area lengthwise, for more comfort if you are used to changing positions during the night.
To sleep on your stomach, you will need to choose an extra-flat rectangular cushion. It is best to stick to standard sizes to make it easier to find matching pillowcases.
Other possible choices
There are other sizes of pillows that may satisfy you. THE bolster is generally used to support a pillow, but can also be used as a cushion in its own right or placed under the vertebrae for greater comfort. For a single bed, a 90 cm bolster is suitable, and 160 cm for a double bed.
The ergonomic pillow is another very useful model, because it naturally adapts to the shape of the sleeper. It thus provides tailor-made comfort with perfect alignment of the head, neck and spine. Many sizes are offered by manufacturers, to see by consulting their catalogs. A memory foam pillow measuring 40 x 60 x 10 cm, with a high density (around 50 kg/m³), may be recommended.
For people suffering from back pain, the thickness of the pillow is an essential factor. It is recommended to select a model with a thickness of 9 to 10 cm for this. Be careful, however, not to choose a product that is too thick which would keep your head elevated. This position is not suitable for restful sleep.
THE synthetic pillows are interesting for their anti-humidity properties and free from harmful substances. Natural materials offer greater softness, especially with down cushions. Another filling like latex is popular for firm support night after night.
Another important criterion for sleeping well, your pillowcase like your fitted sheet will benefit from being made from soft-to-the-touch materials such as satin or percale.
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