The bad news is that you may be sleeping wrong. The good news is that there are ways to correct this, like an ergonomic pillow that properly aligns your neck and spine, minimizing that creaky-neck feeling in the morning. While they do take some getting used to at first, especially if you’re most accustomed to extremely fluffy down or cotton pillows, a good ergonomic pillow can encourage better and more comfortable sleep in the long run.
The best ergonomic pillows are nearly always made from memory foam rather than more traditional down or cotton, as memory foam holds its shape and is firmer, therefore providing more consistent support throughout the night. Research indicates they can help alleviate neck and back pain, headaches, and chronic issues like sleep apnea. The question becomes how to choose.
What Makes a Good Ergonomic Pillow?
The only way to get the most benefit from an ergonomic pillow is to choose the right shape for your style of sleeping, as well as your particular issue. While most pillows are designed to suit back or side sleepers, certain shapes may help address particular issues.
Stomach Sleepers: Sleeping on your stomach can cause severe back or neck pain in some cases, so choose a pillow that is very thin, which will be more comfortable. Other good ergonomic pillows are contoured with armrests and cushions to cradle as you sleep, which can also help properly align your spine while you sleep. Back and Side Sleepers: While sleeping on your side is generally thought to be the healthiest, and most common sleep position, improper alignment in both positions can lead to pain. Luckily, most ergonomic pillows are also designed to accommodate this sleeping style as well, and is contoured or curved to support your neck and head’s most natural position, usually forming a sort of wave shape, or else creating a supportive cradle for the head. Sleep Apnea and Acid Reflux: Sleepers who have trouble breathing at night, heavy snorers, or anyone with acid reflux problems often benefit from keeping the upper half of the body elevated during the night. To solve this, some of the best ergonomic pillows come in a wedge shape.
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