Picking The Right Pillow For Your Body Type & Sleep Position

Ever spent a night at a friend’s place, a hotel or holiday home, only to wake up with a stiff neck? Many of us ­­recognise the importance of a great mattress but tend to forget how crucial picking the right pillow type is for our sleeping style and posture.
 
We recently sought out advice from local sleep experts, A.H. Beard who not only design and produce the comfiest mattresses, but also offer a tonne of information on how to get a better night’s sleep.
 
Tip 1 – Consider your sleep position
 
Your sleep position can significantly impact the height and shape your ideal pillow needs to be. According to A.H. Beard, “back sleepers tend to benefit from a flat, thin pillow that supports the neck and spine”. They also suggest placing a pillow under the knees to assist with any lower back pain.
 
On the other hand, if you’re a side sleeper try to choose a thicker pillow that can support your neck and spine, given it’s in an elevated position when you sleep on your shoulder. Stomach sleepers should opt for a thinner pillow, or even no pillow at all.
 
Tip 2 – Find out what your pillow is made from
 
Unfortunately, a lot of the cheaper pillows out there are constructed from synthetic fibres such as polyester, which for some can cause allergic reactions. A.H. Beard recommends looking at natural latex options which are resistant to mould and in some cases may have a dust-mite resistant inner cover. Other good choices are cotton or wool pillows, as well as memory foam which retains the shape and contours of your body.
 
Tip 3 – How old is your current pillow?
 
Have you thought about the age of your current pillow and how long you’ve been sleeping on it? It might have been a hand-me-down when you first moved out or one you found laying around the house many years ago. Considering the age of your pillow and whether you need to replace it can be the single most effective step in getting a better night’s sleep. A.H. Beard’s tip: have a look at your pillow and notice wear and tear, stains or even the smell. If your pillow looks obviously worn, it might be time to throw it out and go shopping for a new one.
 
 
 
Information sourced from The Wellness Workshop (https://www.thewellnessworkshop.com.au/) and A.H. Beard (https://ahbeard.com/).