Side sleeping is one of the three most common sleeping positions, the other ones being stomach and back sleeping. It comes with its own set of benefits, which includes minimization of snoring and prevention of issues such as sleep apnea and acid reflux.
In fact, sleeping on your side helps maintain optimal spinal alignment by reducing tension in the neck, shoulders, hips, and other areas with pressure points. However, side sleepers can easily experience discomfort if they end up choosing the wrong pillow.
So, how do you choose the right one?
Let’s remember that the best pillow for side sleepers will offer support to the head and neck without causing them to rest at funny angles. If the head sinks too deeply into the pillow or doesn’t sink at all, it might mess up the spinal alignment and lead to pain in the neck and shoulders.
Therefore, consider the aspects listed below when buying pillows for a side sleeper.
Loft
“Loft” defines the pillow’s height or thickness. When it comes to side sleeping, this aspect is of vital importance. Ideally, a side sleeper’s pillow should have a medium to high loft that offers the right amount of cushioning for the head and neck. Expect peaceful slumber when using a pillow that is 5” to 7” thick.
Firmness
Even if a pillow has the right loft, its firmness would determine if it’s worth buying for a side sleeper. Too soft a pillow will lead to the head sinking too much into it and bending deeper sideways. This, in turn, will cause improper alignment of the head and neck, leading to pain.
Yet again, if the pillow is too firm, the head will just plonk on it without getting properly cradled. This will cause the neck to bend upward sideways and lead to pain in it and the shoulders as well.
Pillows with medium firmness are the best bet. They must not lose their shape under the weight of a side sleeper’s head and flatten.
Support
A supportive pillow for side sleepers is one whose surface remains flat for the head and neck without putting pressure on the neck, shoulders, and hips. Such pillows promote proper spinal alignment without letting the head sink too much or remain elevated when you sleep.
Fill Material
The fill material of a pillow can make or break a side sleeper’s experience. It is highly responsible for the firmness and support you are likely to receive. Below, we have discussed the three best fill materials for a side sleeper’s pillow.
Memory Foam
According to PillowHunters – a pillow comparer site writing honest reviews, memory foam pillows conform to the shape of the head and align the neck and spine correctly. Their low resilience and quick response to pressure make sure they don’t go flat when you rest your head on them.
However, there is a downside. Memory foam tends to trap body heat, which can make hot sleepers uncomfortable. However, this issue can be resolved by getting a memory foam pillow that is gel-infused.
Latex
The latex used to stuff pillows is foamed and either molded into a single sheet or shredded into tiny pieces before being put in a pillowcase. Both types suit side sleepers.
As a matter of fact, latex is quicker to respond to pressure than memory foam. Pillows filled with this material are more supportive and do not let the head sink too deeply or remain plonked at the top without sinking even a tad.
Buckwheat
The firmness of buckwheat hulls makes them the perfect fill material for a side sleeper’s pillow. They are breathable and keep the head in a leveled position, so the neck and shoulders get proper reinforcement, too.
However, they come with the downside of being noisy. If you are a side sleeper with a particular liking for quiet pillows, buckwheat-stuffed pillows might not be best for you. Are you a side sleeper? Which pillow type would you recommend? Write to us and let us know.
