The importance of having a good pillow to sleep and have a good night can never be stated enough. Apart from relaxation, a perfect pillow also offers the right alignment to your neck, head, and shoulders, helping to avoid different types of pains and aches in your body.
The choice of pillows, though, differs from person to person. Some people might find hard and firm pillows more suited to their needs, while for some, it’s best to sleep on soft and fluffy pillows.
In this post, we will explore what memory foam pillow and normal pillows are, and try to dig deep into which pillow is actually better for you in the long run.
What is a Memory Foam Pillow?
A memory foam pillow belongs to the category of firm pillows, but it adapts itself with changes in body temperature and heat. It is currently the most preferred pillow option as it provides great support to the head and neck area, aiding you to wake up without those painful sprains.
One of the best things about memory foam pillows is that they don’t get flattened like other pillows, reducing the need to flip pillows and change their sides. For people with back and neck problems, memory foam pillows serve as a great avenue.
What are Normal (Traditional) Pillows?
Regular pillows are traditional pillows made from high-quality fiber material. While these are comfortable pillows in every sense and offer sufficient enough support, they don’t adapt to your body like a memory foam pillow. Using these pillows for a long time can make them flat and hard, leading to neck and shoulder pain.
One big point of contradiction about this type of pillow is that it needs air fluffing to retain its softness, while in the case of memory foam pillows, they retain their original shape once the pressure from the head and neck is released.
Comfort
When it comes to comparing memory foam pillows with traditional pillows on grounds of comfort and sleep quality, memory foam pillows are designed to adapt to the shape of the head and neck, to distribute the weight evenly so that they can reduce pressure points and reduce discomfort.
On the other hand, normal pillows contain materials such as polyester, cotton, and even feathers, but don’t offer the contouring ability of memory foam. There can be an initial plush feel, but the pillow gets flattened with time.
Sleep Quality
In the case of choosing between a pillow for better sleep, memory foam pillows offer better alignment of the spine, reducing pressure on the neck and shoulders, enhancing the overall sleep quality. The dense composition minimizes movement, making sure that the head and shoulders are very well-supported through the night.
In the case of normal pillows though, while they offer a better airflow, normal pillows might not really be capable of maintaining proper support, leading to constant position changes when you sleep.
Lifespan and Durability
In the case of pillow comparison, if one is to be made in terms of the overall life and durability, then a memory foam pillow lasts anywhere between 2 years to 4 years, when given the right attention and care. Given the viscoelastic foam that it uses, the shape and structural integrity of a memory foam provides it with a longer life.
On the other hand, a normal pillow has a comparative life of around 6 months to 2 years, which again, depends on the type of material used.
Conclusion
Choosing the right pillow for yourself is a very personal thing. Because we sleep on the pillows, there is a need to choose the best one so that comfort becomes an everyday habit. To help you with the selection you can find a simple rule of thumb to help yourself out in making the perfect decision:
- If you are looking for a pillow that serves your purpose of sleeping and you don’t suffer from any big issues on health, then a normal pillow is going to be good enough.
- If you are looking to improve your sleep posture, reduce those aches, or some extra support for your spine, then a pressure relief pillow is going to be your best decision.
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