Although side sleeping is one of the most popular positions to sleep in, it doesn’t feel good unless your pillow feels good too! The misaligned pillow creates a space between your head and mattress, and that space is the source of your neck pain, stiffness and sleep disturbances. There are a few important things to consider when choosing the best pillow for side sleepers: firmness, loft, and shape retention.
Why Side Sleepers Need Extra Support
If you’re lying on your side, you will have the most distance between your head and the bed. Your pillow has to fill that space evenly or your neck bends out of line and pressure is put on your shoulder.
Some indicators that your pillow may not be working properly:
- Having a stiff neck or a sore neck in the morning.
- Chronic pain in the shoulder that does not go away until the morning.
- Numbness or tingling in your arm.
- Frequent changing of pillow use during the night.
If you notice a significant improvement as soon as you get up and around, then you likely aren’t getting the support you need from your pillow at night.
Best Pillow Type and Firmness for Side Sleepers
Side sleepers will find a loftier pillow (higher pillow) to be the most comfortable of all sleeping postures. The flatter pillow allows the head to fall, and this will strain the neck and shoulder over time.Just as with height, firmness is an important consideration:
- Too soft – head sinks too far, off alignment of spine
- Too tight – pressure is generated around the neck and shoulders
- Medium-firm – retains the head level, but still provides pressure cushioning at the points of contact
The softer, looser fill material does not retain its shape as well over the course of the night, a factor that is why it is a popular choice for side sleepers.
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Learn How to Select the Best Pillow For You
With that said, choosing a pillow becomes easier if you take into account your sleeping style. Consider:
- Loft – the wider the shoulders, the more loft will be required.
- Firmness of mattress – a softer mattress may require a slightly softer pillow.
- Nighttime movement – often toss and turning makes a responsive pillow ideal to bounce back rapidly
Temperature when sleeping, hot sleepers should consider sleeping in breathable covers and ventilated fill.
When it comes to pillows there’s no universal best pillows for everyone as it depends on the person’s body and sleeping posture.
Best Pillows for Common Pain Points
- Neck pain: Medium-firm and contouring support, but not angled up or down.
- Shoulder pain: An adjustable loft with a softer cushion around the shoulder area will lessen pressure without elevating the neck too high in the event of shoulder pain.
- Back pain: The key here is a pillow that is the correct height, it can cause strain on the back and hips if it is too high or too low.
Quick Buyer Checklist
Here’s a quick list of questions to ask before purchasing:
- Medium-firm support
- Loft that is equal to shoulder width.
- Breathable, temperature-regulating materials
- High retention of shape after wetting, drying and aging.
- Fill, if you prefer to make customizations
A trial period or easy return policy is offered.A trial period and easy return period is provided.
Seeking the best pillow for side sleepers isn’t about the softest or most costly, it’s about the support that feels good upon waking.
FAQs
1.Which pillow hardness is ideal for sleeping on your side?
The vast majority of those who sleep on their sides prefer medium-firm support. It maintains the head at a level which does not allow it to drop too far or exert pressure at the shoulder.
2.What loft or height should a side sleeper’s pillow be?
Side sleepers will usually require more loft than back or belly sleepers as there is more space to fill between the mattress and the head.
3.Is it possible to use the same pillow for side sleepers and stomach sleepers?
Yes, to an extent. Medium loft pillows are a good choice for combination sleepers because they are supportive enough for side sleepers, but not too thick for stomach sleepers.
4.How many times should insomniacs change their pillow?
As the fill begins to level out or the pillow becomes misshapen, it won’t provide the same support.
5.Are side sleepers better with additional pillows for their hips or knees?
Some individuals may prefer to have a small pillow between their knees to maintain hip alignment, particularly if they have lower back pain, although this is not always necessary.
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