With so many options avaliable, choosing the right bed pillow can be very daunting. How firm is too firm? How soft is too soft? What will help me sleep best? Below are a few tricks for picking the perfect pillow for your night's sleep.

Personal preference is key in choosing the perfect pillow. The average person spends 24 years asleep over an entire lifetime, so comfort is vital. The right pillow allows the muscles of the back and neck to relax during sleep, keeping the spine in alignment to avoid pressure points that become pain points over time. Sleep position influences spinal position, and thus the best pillow firmness for you. Below are several suggestions and tips for choosing the best pillow.

Stomach Sleepers

For those who prefer to sleep on their stomach, the best pillow is a soft, fairly flat pillow. Some stomach sleepers may sleep better without any pillow at all. The head needs to be kept close to the mattress to keep the neck and spine in alignment without pinching or creating pressure points that can become aches overnight.

Back Sleepers

For best comfort, get a soft to medium weight pillow for sleeping on your back. There is some variation in preference in this position, depending on how high on the pillow you tend to sleep. For those who only support their head on the pillow, a softer pillow is better to support the upward curve of the neck and keep the spine in alignment. For those who sleep with their shoulders on the pillow as well, a medium weight pillow provides better spinal alignment.

Some back sleepers also find additional comfort in putting a pillow under the knees. This small trick for correcting spinal alignment is popular with back pain sufferers.

Side Sleepers

A firm pillow is best for those who sleep on their sides. Because of the height between the mattress and the head due to the width of the shoulders, a thick pillow best supports spinal alignment. If the pillow is too soft, the head will droop and put pressure on the neck. If the mattress is softer, a softer pillow may feel better because the shoulder settles deeper into the mattress surface.

A pillow at the waist, or a rolled up towel, may provide additional support for a side sleeper on a firm mattress, straightening the spine between the hips and the shoulders.

If you're someone who tosses and turns during the night, then a softer pillow is likely best, to adjust to your various positions during the night. Layering two or three softer pillows is another option. Always remember that the best tip is to choose the pillow that makes you the most comfortable. The more comfortable you are, the more you relax and the better you will sleep.

More Reading