Square or rectangular pillow, classic or ergonomic, feather or synthetic filling, firm or soft: there are so many criteria to take into account when choosing a pillow that you feel overwhelmed? In this article, we explain how to choose wisely your firm or soft pillow .
Firm pillow or soft pillow?
When it comes to pillows, the question is not whether it's better to go for a firm pillow or a soft pillow, but which one is best for you. Indeed, depending on your use (reading pillow or sleeping pillow) and your texture preference (feathers or synthetic filling), you are moving towards different types of pillows. Another criterion is absolutely decisive in your choice of pillow and it concerns your sleeping position. Indeed, depending on the position in which you sleep, you will choose a firm pillow or a soft pillow. How to find your way there? We explain everything to you depending on whether you sleep on your side, back or stomach.
Which pillow to sleep on your side?
Sleeping on your side is a very common position. It is not bad at all, provided that the upper body remains straight, without arching. For this, it is necessary that the neck and the spine of the back are well aligned. It remains to fill a space between your mattress and your head the height of your shoulder. Indeed, to create this alignment of the spine and neck, you must raise your head sufficiently, but not too much either. Otherwise, beware of arching which causes neck pain. To summarize, sleeping on your side requires a pillow that is fairly thick and not too soft. If you are built, opt for a pillow with a thickness of around 15 cm. If your mattress is soft, don't hesitate to choose an even thicker pillow, because your pillow will sink into your bedding. If you are slimmer, a 9 cm thick pillow will be ideal. Smaller people don't need to fill a large space between their head and the mattress!
Which pillow to choose for sleeping on your back?
On the back, the head needs to be elevated a little. A soft pillow with a thickness of 5 to 7 cm, or even less, is therefore recommended. Taking a thick and firm pillow is not relevant, because you must avoid arching your neck at all costs. When sleeping with your back on the mattress, the spine is pressed against the bed. It is therefore desirable that the neck is not “broken” because of a pillow that is too thick, but, on the contrary, that it remains well aligned with the spine. In this case too, take into account the density of your mattress.
Which pillow to choose when sleeping on your stomach?
Sleeping on your stomach does not necessarily require a cushion. If you sleep in this position and prefer to rest your head on a pillow, no problem, but choose a thin or even flat pillow. To know whether you need a soft or firm pillow: the answer is simple! Think about what's on that pillow. Choosing a soft pillow will therefore be preferable to offer your skin soft and supple support.
The 60x60 or 65x65 firm pillow: for what use?
To best support your back in bed when you read or look at your tablet, rule number 1 is to place a firm 60x60 pillow or a firm 65x65 pillow at the level of your kidneys. Unlike a rectangular pillow, a square pillow will have the advantage of protecting your entire back during this rest phase. Depending on your build, do not hesitate to place an additional cushion to properly support your body. By firm pillow, we mean a pillow whose filling density must be high:
- Above 50kg/m3 for memory foam pillows,
- Weighing around 1 kg for synthetic pillows (polyester pillows),
- Weighing approximately 1.2 kg for pillows with natural fillings (down, feathers, etc.)
What are the disadvantages of a pillow that is too firm for sleeping?
A pillow for sleeping, not reading, should not be too firm. For optimal sleeping comfort, your head needs to sink as little as possible into your pillow. It is therefore not recommended to sleep on a pillow that is too firm . By sleeping on a hard cushion, you risk having headaches, neck pain or stiffness in the upper body. This being said, a firm pillow can have a flexible, even soft feel.
What are the best firm pillows?
In general, when a professional talks to you about a firm pillow , they recommend an ergonomic foam or latex pillow , firm but soft to the touch. The ergonomic pillow is hollow where your head rests and domed at the ends. It has the advantage of not deforming over time and has a much longer lifespan than pillows with traditional fillings. The best pillow that is firm and soft at the same time is the memory foam pillow . Prefer rectangular ergonomic pillows to square pillows because they allow you to rest your head well in the center. Latex pillows are very popular with sleepers. In the top ergonomic pillows, we present to you buckwheat pillows with cotton cover, sometimes quilted. These quality ecological cushions are made from 100% natural material. Buckwheat husks offer many benefits: anti-perspiration, anti-mite allergies, breathable properties.
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reading pillow |
sleep pillow |
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Cushion shape |
square |
rectangular |
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Cushion comfort |
farm |
your choice according to your sleeping position |
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