A pillow that is too soft or too hard, too high or too big, affects your cervical spine and the comfort of your hands and shoulders during sleep. So when you choose your pillows, you must select a sleeping pillow for the spine, as comfortable as possible. Finding the right pillow for you can be challenging, but the search becomes easier with so many stores where you can buy cushions online in Australia. Therefore, what are the criteria for choosing a quality pillow designed to ensure a restful sleep?
Consider the Position in Which You Sleep
If you sleep on your back, the cervical spine should respect the physiological position. If you sleep on your side, the spine must be aligned, so the pillow should be of equal thickness to the distance between the shoulder's outside and the neck's axis. In other words, the pillow with the physiological shape should only be chosen if you are used to sleeping on your back, but if the position is more on the side, the pillow should keep your head in line with the rest of your body.
The side position is the most common; more than half of people sleep on their left or right side. If you are used to sleeping on your stomach, the doctor recommends a thin pillow or no pillow so as not to strain the neck muscles during sleep. The most important thing is choosing a quality sleeping pillow for the spine that folds to your needs and will adapt to your body shape. On CushionsDirect.com.au, you can find different pillow models that make you sleep more comfortably.
Relate Your Pillow Choice to Your Body
It is a trap to buy a physiological pillow with a fixed curvature, promoted as a universal pillow, not only because few people sleep on their backs most nights but also because 20% of the population in Australia does not have a physiological curvature from birth, but a spine in a straight line. An above-average-weight person will need a higher and more giant pillow, while a short, thin person would work better with a smaller pillow. Analyse the spine-shoulder distance, and choose a higher pillow if you have broad shoulders.
A 40-45 centimetre pillow should be suitable for someone of small to medium stature, and a 60-70 centimetre one is recommended for a man of medium to tall stature. Consider getting a foam pillow, either memory foam or gel, as it is versatile and moulds itself according to the position in which you sleep and the shape of your body. It is an excellent sleeping pillow option for the spine. And for the position to be correct, test how much the head sinks into it. Ideally, he only goes into the pillow around 55-60% and doesn't end up resting on the bed.
You Can Buy Cushions Online
You should also consider the thickness of the pillow. The ideal thickness of the pillow is approximately 6-8 centimetres if you sleep on your back and 12-16 centimetres for sleeping in a lateral position. Doctors recommend buying 15 cm of cushion online, but note that obese people need an 18cm one to ensure the head position is aligned with the spine while sleeping on their side. The most suitable shape of the pillow is not the flat one, and in no case a very high one, but a convex one, with an angle of about 20 degrees.
Imagine a flat pillow in which the head sinks halfway. The pillow will then end up on the mouth and nose, disturbing breathing. But the face is no longer covered if it is shorter at the edges and higher towards the centre. When you enter deep sleep, maximum muscle relaxation occurs. If you fall asleep in a vicious position, with relaxed muscles, the vertebral discs are no longer protected. That can cause discomfort and pain that radiates to the shoulder and hand, with symptoms of numbness. In addition, you can wake up tired and tense.
Don't Change the Pillow Often
Everyone should choose the pillow according to how they feel or how they have been used to sleeping since childhood. Changing the pillow (thickness consistency) can generate restless sleep and morning pain in the spine, most frequently in the cervical area of the neck. The ideal pillow provides the correct support for the neck in such a way that the cervical vertebrae are placed in the natural position, in continuation of the spine. Even if you love the pillow you have, it may not be helping you sleep in the correct position.
Maybe you're used to sleeping on a thin pillow filled with duck feathers. But just because you're used to it doesn't mean you're sleeping in the correct position. One of the main factors influencing your sleep is your pillow. When you decide to buy cushions online, remember the tips above: The correct sleeping position is the one in which the spine is completely straight, therefore you should choose according to your sleep position so that the spine remains straight when lying on the bed.
The Pillow’s Filling Is Important
In online or local stores in Australia, you can choose pillows with three different types of filling: natural, fibre, or unique. The natural filling mainly consists of feathers and flakes but can include other materials such as silk, linen, or wool. A natural filling cushion is soft to the touch, and its shape is easy to change. You can change your sleeping position at night because the filling changes its shape according to your position. Fiber-filled pillows contain siliconized fibre. This type of pillow has more elasticity. Choosing between a naturally-filled pillow and a synthetic-filled pillow is a matter of personal preference.
Latex pillows and foam ones fall into the particular filling category. This pillow offers the best support because it is made of compact material. Memory foam pillows mould to the shape of your neck and head. On such a pillow, you rest in an ergonomic position because the shape of the pillow adapts to the position in which you sleep. The foam pillow provides proper support to the shoulders and neck so you will avoid muscle tension and pain. Foam pillows are available in a variety of shape. That said, when you buy cushions online in Australia, you have all the information you need to make the best decision.
