Do laying on Lull Pillows

How to Know if You Need New Pillows

Need new pillows and are curious about how to choose the right pillow?

You came to the right place, to start what’s in a pillow? Literally speaking, it’s usually down or foam. Figuratively, pillows are an investment that’ll shape how your head and neck feel during and after sleep. Even though they take up much less bedroom real estate than your mattress, they’re supporting the most important part of your body.

That’s why it’s important to be sleeping with the right pillows for your sleeping position and overall comfort.

It’s commonly recommended that regular pillows be replaced every 18 months with memory foam mattresses holding out for around 3 years. And with the right pillows, of course -- sleeping on the wrong pillows can fail to ease your neck tension and headaches, or even worse, exacerbate them.

Here are some signs you may not be sleeping with the right pillow:

  • It’s old and deflated.

Pillows generally aren’t inflatable, but one that’s endured enough pressure can flatten out. If your pillow is no longer fluffy relative to new pillows, it might be time for a replacement even if you’re not feeling too many consequences quite yet.

  • Your posture just doesn’t feel right when you lay on it as opposed to a fresher pillow.

If you get the chance to sleep with another pillow, do you just feel better on that other pillow? Sometimes you just know without really thinking about it. Sometimes you just need to go with the signals your instincts are sending without digging into them with a thousand questions. However, if you don’t have the opportunity to sleep on another pillow that isn’t your usual one, see if you can test out the display beds at your local furniture or mattress store.

  • The pillow’s just in bad condition in general.

Take a good look at your pillow. Pull it out of the pillowcase first. Torn? Irrevocably stained? Are there smells? Well, it’s understandable if you check off at least one of the above, because pillows do gather dust, mites, and everything from your head pretty easily. This can trigger allergies and just isn’t very hygienic in general. After giving the pillow a look and feel, fold it. Does it just lay there folded like origami? Then it’s probably past its lifespan. If it springs back up to lay flat again, there might be some hope. Another factor to consider is whether you’re sleeping with the right pillows is also your sleeping position. Even a brand-new sparkling clean pillow, may not be the best option if it’s not suited to your sleeping position.

How do you choose the right pillow? If you tend to sleep on your stomach, flatter but soft pillows are generally best. The flatness keeps your neck more aligned with your spine. Back sleepers are typically best with medium-thick pillows for support without angling your head up too high. Often sleep on your side? You’ll be better supported with a relatively thick pillow since you’re putting pressure on your shoulders too.

Keep in mind that the above are generalizations based on spine alignment. There are multiple factors in what pillow type is best for an individual. These are just broad guidelines on a nuanced topic. Ultimately, you should pick the pillow that has you drifting off to sleep with the least tossing and turning.

Cooling abilities are also another important factor -- not all pillows are created equally when it comes to the ability to cool down a hothead. Many memory foam pillows, particularly Lull’s memory foam pillow, are crafted with cooling gel polymer on both sides to transfer heat away from your head.

If you need a little guidance on where to shop, check out Lull’s cotton microfiber pillow for a start. If you’d like to bring the wonders of memory foam to your head and not just your back, Lull’s got you covered with a memory foam pillow. If you’d like to experience the luxurious softness of duck feathers and social consciousness is on your mind, try our certified responsibly-sourced down pillow!
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