Considering we spend a third of our lives in bed, it’s important to try and do everything you can to ensure a comfortable, healthy night’s sleep. There are a surprising number of options these days when it comes to choosing pillows and blankets. So read on to find out which are the best options to help you sleep sound at night.
Choosing a pillow
Before choosing a pillow, determine the shape of the back of your head. So, straighten your spine, lift your head, looking forward, and feel the base of the neck with your fingers. A pillow of medium thickness fits a slightly concave shape of the back of the head.
If the back of your neck has a rather concave shape, choose a high and hard pillow. A small and soft pillow is suitable for those who have a flat back of the head. But if the shape of the back of your head is prominent, it may be better to sleep without a pillow.
The main characteristic of a good pillow is the ability to support the head and cervical spine whilst you’re asleep. Those people who suffer from back pain may benefit from sleeping on a hard bed using a special orthopedic mattress and pillow.
The height of the pillow depends on your body shape: if you have a longer neck and wide shoulders you should choose a higher pillow to suit your frame.
It is also important to choose the right filler for the pillow. Goose down pillows are air-penetrable, very soft and comfortable, able to preserve heat for a long time. Pillows filled with sheep wool are also easily ventilated and moisture resistant.
However, natural fillers can cause allergies and require regular cleaning. Besides, these pillows accumulate heat and are not suitable for those who like to sleep with a sense of coolness.
Synthetic fillers (for example hollowfiber) are soft, lightweight, air-penetrable, hypoallergenic. Pillows filled with buckwheat husks, hop, rice coat, grass perfectly fit the shape of the head, massaging the skin, do not cause allergies .
The disadvantage is that you will have to buy new pillows approximately every two years. Besides, the noise caused by every movement can greatly interfere with sensitive sleep. A pillow made of natural latex can be used for 20 years!
This pillow will remain flexible and soft for a long time.
Finally, it should be noted that it will take three nights to get used to a new pillow.
Choosing a blanket
First of all make sure that the material of the blanket preserves warmth. The blanket should be water-resistant and air-penetrable. A duvet blanket is lightweight and air-penetrable, it quickly absorbs sweat, but it quickly becomes damp and may cause allergic reactions.
The most expensive and luxurious filling for duvets is eiderdown; duck down is a cheaper alternative, as is goose down which is also warm and soft. Most quality duvet blankets should be stitched with squares to maintain their shape.
A woolen blanket has many benefits. The resiliency of wool fibers create support for your back, joints, muscles than other types of fibers. Wool is good for both hot and cold temperatures. On hot nights the wool ‘wicks’ moisture away from your body provides a cooling effect.
In contrast, in colder weather, it acts as a superb insulator, keeping you nice and warm. The disadvantage is that wool can cause allergies.
Synthetic blankets are the most common and affordable. There are several types of fibers used for creating this kind of blanket. Most synthetic blankets provide good air circulation and do not cause allergies. One drawback is that they can accumulate static electricity.
About the author
This article is written by Melisa Marzett. Melisa is fond of writing on such topics as healthy life style, traveling and fashion.
Photo by lokate366
