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While it may sound alarming, there is some truth to the idea that your old pillow could be negatively impacting your health, and possibly leading to your untimely demise. What’s going on inside your noggin nest, and should you be worried about your well-being?
Hey bub, my pillow is perfectly fine and is not trying to kill me!
If this is your initial thought, allow me to ask you then, when was the last time you replaced your pillow?
According to one study, more than one third of the weight of a pillow used for two years is made up of living and dead dust mites, their feces, dead skin, and bacteria. There could be nearly two million living, breeding, and dying mites on the other side of your pillowcase each night. Try not to think of that the next time you lay your head down to go to sleep.
These tiny tick-like pests that thrive inside your old pillow feast on your dead skin cells and leave behind their feces, urine, and carcasses in the deep fibers of your cranium cushion. Inhaling the proteins they excrete causes inflammation of the nasal passages and can trigger mild to severe allergic symptoms and asthma attacks. Whether you’re aware of it or not, each night you continue breathing these particles in as you sleep has a lasting impact on your health and wellness throughout the day.
With this new information, perhaps you can start to see how your pillow may essentially be trying to smother you.
Ok, so dust mites are gross – but what else?
Another area for concern when sleeping on an old crusty pillow is how it’s affecting your sleep health. Specifically, if your pillow is not providing adequate support for your neck and spine, it can lead to poor sleep posture and potentially cause neck pain, circulation problems, and even breathing difficulties.
We’ve come a long way in terms of comfort regarding the pillow. In fact, the ancient Egyptians were some of the first people to use pillows. Theirs were made of wood or stone and their sole purpose was to elevate the head to keep insects out of their ears and nose. It wasn’t until the ancient Greeks and Romans that softer, more comfortable pillows were developed.
As we advanced, we started stuffing pillows with cotton, polyester, feathers, or a combination of these. More recently though we started realizing that even these materials maybe weren’t the best to be sticking under our heads each night. For one, these fibers build up what is basically beach front property for dust mites and allergens. Secondly, the structural integrity breaks down with regular use, so after some time you’re left with a hard, lumpy pillow that is literally a pain in the neck to sleep with.
Memory foam benefits as a pillow material
In the 1966 under contract from NASA, engineer Charles Yost developed a type of energy-absorbing foam increase the shock absorbency of airplane seats. Today we refer to this foam as memory foam and it’s widely used in the production of ergonomic and hypoallergenic pillows.
The sleep industry has adopted this incredible material as it solves many of the problems with traditional pillows mentioned above. The nature of the foam being constructed from one solid block means dust and dust mites are unable to penetrate deep into the material. It’s also soft, yet expands to fill in gaps and forms to your body to provide support where it’s needed.
Memory foam does have its own drawbacks however. By design, it is slow to recover to its natural state, which means if you shift positions while you sleep you might be bothered by the time it takes to form to your new shape. Also, it’s not a very breathable material so it tends to trap heat and can cause you to sweat in your sleep. To counter this, there are special gel infused memory foams that helps disperse heat for a more comfortable bedtime experience.
Another issue sometimes with memory foam is known as off-gassing, which is the release of chemical odors as a byproduct of the foam manufacturing process. With new products, this off-gassing typically subsides after a few days, and some manufacturers offer types of foam pillows with no chemical odors. Still, some people like that new-pillow smell, but if off-gassing seems off-putting, maybe memory foam isn’t your cup of tea.
If you think your pillow has run its course, a good gel memory foam pillow might be a great update to your sleep routine.
What types of memory foam pillows are there?
Here are some of the best memory foam pillows we’ve found for improving posture and getting a good night’s sleep:
Gel Ventilated Pillows
These pillows are designed with a curved shape that supports the natural curve of your neck and head. They can be particularly helpful for back and side sleepers, as they help maintain proper spinal alignment.
Cervical Pillows
Cervical pillows have a unique design that provides extra support for the neck. They often feature a roll-shaped section to cradle the neck and a flatter section for the head. These pillows can be beneficial for both back and side sleepers.
Side Sleeper Pillows
These uniquely shaped pillows often feature a wrap around design to support your neck and arm while you sleep on your side. They are recommended if you only sleep on your side, and their design typically doesn’t provide comfort for other sleeping positions.
Body Pillows
Full-length body pillows can provide additional support for side sleepers, helping to maintain spinal alignment and reduce pressure on the hips and lower back. They can also be used to support the upper body and reduce strain on the shoulders and neck.
Knee Pillows
For side sleepers, placing a pillow between the knees can help maintain proper spinal alignment and reduce pressure on the hips and lower back. Knee pillows are typically made of memory foam and are shaped to fit comfortably between the legs.
These are just a few of the many available options to you when looking for a new pillow.
I highly recommend shopping around to find the right pillow for you.
Is it time to replace your pillow?
Ideally, you should replace your pillow every few years. Doing so benefits your respiratory health as well as encourages a healthy sleeping posture. If you’re waking up with a stiff neck, muscle aches, spasms, or just generally not feeling well-rested, maybe it’s a signal that it’s time to swap out your old pillow for a brand new one.
