How to Buy a Bed Pillow

Choosing the right bed pillow can make the difference between a peaceful night's sleep and a night spent tossing and turning. Many people simply cannot sleep without their pillow and may even carry it with them when traveling. Choosing a pillow depends on personal preferences and your sleeping style. With a scorecard, you can figure out which pillow is right for you.

Instructions

1. Assess your sleeping style. If you sleep on your stomach the majority of the time you score a 1. If you spend your sleeping hours on your side, you score 2. If you are back sleeper, you score 3 points. Keep in mind that everyone moves around during sleep. Choose the position you sleep in most often.

2. Evaluate your size. If you are short and have slight build, you score 1. If you are average in size, you score 2. Large or tall body types score 3.

3. Decide what you expect from a new pillow. If you are looking for a pillow you can simply melt into, you score a 1. If you want a pillow that will support your head but has some flexibility, you score a 2. If your only desire is a pillow that maintains its shape and fullness, you score a 3.

4. Consider the firmness of your favorite pillow, but do so based on when it was most comfortable. Soft pillows receive a 1, medium pillows a 2 and firm pillows a 3.

5. Now add up your scores. If the total is 4 to 6, a soft or medium pillow will provide you with the support you need to keep your neck straight and promote good circulation. If it is 7 to 9, you may need a little more support; go for a medium to firm pillow. Scores of 10 to 12 point to a firm or extra-firm pillow.

Tips & Warnings

• Natural fill pillows containing down or a combination of down and other fibers are the most durable. Although more expensive, they last longer and maintain their shape well. Inexpensive synthetic fill pillows may be comfortable when first purchased, but tend to wear out faster than natural fill pillows.

References

• Bed Bath & Beyond
• Linen Closet