Having the right pillow is essential for ensuring a great night’s sleep, and choosing the right pillow is very much dependent on your sleeping position. Memory foam pillows are an excellent choice for side sleepers and offer a range of benefits that best support the body in this position, all while offering paramount levels of comfort.
What Is Side Sleeping?
Side sleeping is one of the most common sleeping positions, which involves sleeping on your side with your legs a little bent for support. Other common sleeping positions include laying on your back, on your front, or a combination of both. However, each of these positions require certain types of head and neck support.
What Are The Benefits Of Side Sleeping?
Interestingly, there are a range of benefits that come with side sleeping. The first is better spinal alignment. Side sleeping helps to ensure that your body, head and neck are not in a crooked position and therefore helps to promote proper posture. This in turn reduces the chance of you experiencing back or next pain.
Likewise, for those who suffer with bouts of snoring, side sleeping is known to help alleviate this. Side sleeping helps to keep the airway clear and open, reducing the opportunity to snore. In turn, side sleeping also helps to reduce symptoms of sleep apnea.
For those with digestion and acid reflux issues, side sleeping has also been praised for helping to promote good digestion. By sleeping in an optimal position for digestion, your body can do what it needs to, while also reducing the feeling of fullness and bloating!
What Types Of Pillows Are Best For Side Sleepers?
Side sleepers require a certain type of support in comparison to those who sleep in other positions. The right pillow should be supportive and there must be a decent amount of height to support your head away from your shoulder. Firmer pillows are best for maintaining good postural alignment, and should relieve any pressure felt around your head, neck and shoulders.
Some pillows for side sleepers are appropriately contoured for the shape of the head and neck, making them a great choice for those who typically move out of position into an awkward shape.
Are Memory Foam Pillows Good For Side Sleepers?
Memory foam is one of the best pillow materials for side sleepers as it is praised for its orthopaedic qualities. They are available in various levels of firmness meaning they can be perfectly tailored to your needs, and they are also incredibly durable as they retain their shape and dentistry for a long period of time.
Likewise, memory foam pillows are hypoallergenic, resistant to dust and other similar allergens. This makes them a great choice for allergy-suffering side sleepers too.
How To Use A Memory Foam Pillow As A Side Sleeper?
Once you have chosen your ideal memory foam pillow you should ensure that you use it properly in order to feel its full benefits. On every use, make sure your head is placed in the centre of the pillow and the pillow is at the right height for your head. You should also ensure that you properly clean, fluff and rotate your pillow every week to ensure it wears evenly throughout and does not incur any significant dips.