What Are The Benefits Of A Mattress Topper
Advantages of using a mattress topper include the following:
Firmness AdjustmentA topper can significantly change the surface feel of your mattress. Most toppers offer a softer feel and are designed to be used with a firm mattress, but some models are intended to make a soft mattress feel firmer. If youre dissatisfied with how soft or firm your mattress feels but dont want to pay for a new bed, a topper can be a cost-effective solution.
Mattress ProtectionToppers are different from mattress protectors, which are very thin and solely designed to safeguard your mattress against spills, stains, dust, and other contaminants. However, toppers can help preserve your beds surface and prevent the comfort layer material from wearing out. This can extend the overall lifespan of your mattress.
Stronger SupportOver time, the comfort layer of your mattress will deteriorate. This can cause a loss of support that makes the surface feel uneven, and added aches and pains often follow. A sturdy topper adds an extra layer to keep your body on an even plane and prevent it from sagging in areas where you carry a lot of weight.
Better CoolingIf the surface of your mattress tends to trap heat and sleep warm, then a breathable topper can provide better temperature regulation to help you sleep more comfortably. The best cooling mattress topper materials include ventilated latex, natural wool, and open-cell foam.
Sleep Artisan Side Sleeper Pillow
- Customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
- Firmness: adjustable
- Material: organic cotton and hemp
If youre looking for a green pillow thats specifically made for side sleepers, you may enjoy the Sleep Artisan Side Sleeper Pillow. It has an ergonomic design that protects the neck and shoulder from cramping, plus its handcrafted in the United States with organic cotton and hemp. The fill is made from organic latex and poly silk.
Users like this pillows complete lack of chemical smell. They also like how easy it is to adjust the amount of fill in the pillow to a preferred height.
Unlike other pillows with a curved side, this pillow fits comfortably into a standard pillowcase.
The manufacturer provides a 3-year warranty.
Which Type Of Mattress Topper Should I Choose
After reviewing the topper attributes listed above to determine which qualities are most important, youll be ready to choose a mattress topper based on its material composition. Every topper material carries different pros and cons related to pressure relief, durability, temperature neutrality, and other performance areas.
Memory Foam:Memory foam toppers are ideal if you like to sink into the surface of your bed. The material conforms closely to evenly distribute your weight and keep your shoulders, spine, and hips aligned. For this reason, many side sleepers prefer memory foam toppers. Memory foam also isolates motion transfer very well and does not produce any noise, making it a great option for couples and co-sleepers. Although memory foam can trap heat, toppers can be infused with gel, graphite, copper, and other cooling materials to help the surface maintain a comfortable temperature.
Polyfoam: Polyfoam conforms to the body, but not quite as closely as memory foam. This material also feels a bit more responsive. You may find a polyfoam topper comfortable if you want a balance of contouring and surface-level bounciness. Many polyfoam toppers are convoluted with a ridged surface these models are also known as egg-crate toppers.
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A Good Size Sleeping Pillow Helps With Snoring
Snoring is a common problem that can occur for a myriad of reasons. Back sleeping, for instance, is associated with snoring mainly because your tongue moves back into your throat while you are sleeping.
However, if you sleep on your side, you wouldnt have to worry about this particular cause of snoring. The same goes for sleeping on your stomach. Thats not to say side sleepers dont snore it is just less likely because the posture addresses a common cause of snoring.
At the same time, you should find a side sleeper pillow that provides you with the proper neck alignment. As soon as there is an unnatural or unaligned curvature in your throat, the airflow will be blocked or impaired. Both cases could lead to snoring.
What To Look For In A Side
As you search for your ideal arm hole pillow, keep these product features high on your wish list:
- Arm pocket or side panel that offers arm support
- Contoured construction that provides support for neck and shoulder
- Symmetrical horseshoe-shaped pillow design that offers flexibility for left and right side-sleeping
- Thicker pillow density that creates space between your head and arm
- Adjustable height for customizable comfort
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Clara Clark Bamboo Pillow
Benefits
Made with super soft and breathable material and a bamboo cover, the Clara Clark Pillow is going to last long and maximize comfort. The rectangular, lightweight design and therapeutic memory foam filling provide support and protection while eliminating motion transfer to your neck, head, and shoulder while sleeping.
- Material Used: Shredded Memory Foam, Premium Bamboo Rayon.
- Area of Support: Head, Neck, and Shoulder
- Suitable for: Back, Stomach and Side Sleeping.
- Unique features: Provides a soft cloud-like feel. The pillow has both the outer cover and inner cover with zippers, which makes it easy to clean.
Drawbacks
The synthetic materials may cause sensitivity to some.
Because side sleepers put maximum pressure on their sides, they should consider using pillows that evenly distribute their body weight. So, if you are a side sleeper, you should definitely consider buying a pillow with armholes. The wedge construction of such pillows supports your head, chest, and neck while you enjoy sleeping on your favorite side. An ideal pillow should foster both comfort and support to your body to promote a good night’s sleep.
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Locypop Cuddle Couple Pillow
Benefits
The LOCYPOP cuddle arm pillow is supported by U-shaped ABS plastic and steel frames that support the weight of your head and prevent the numbness of your arms. The tunnel shape design is highly suitable both for side sleepers and travelers.
- Material Used: Slow rebound memory foam.
- Area of Support: Head, Back, Neck, and Shoulder
- Suitable for: Side Sleeping.
- Unique features: The colorfully designed pillow is also suitable for reshaping the natural curvature of the neck contour and the cervical spine. It comes with removable and skin-friendly pillowcases.
Drawbacks
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Best Pillows For Side Sleepers Video
Watch our video below to learn more about our labs top picks for pillows for side sleepers.
We provide an overview about each of our picks, covering features that set each pillow apart from the competition. Further down, well take a closer look at how pillows affect side sleeping and offer a few tips for choosing a pillow based on thickness, material composition, price, and other factors.
Black Friday is a great time to buy a pillow, with many companies offering some of their biggest discounts of the year. Head to our complete list of Black Friday discounts to learn about the most up-to-date deals. You can also check out our list of Cyber Monday mattress and bedding sales to learn about deals happening after Black Friday ends.
Pillow Cube Sideclick Classic
Benefits
The cube-shaped design of this pillow is a perfect pick for side sleepers and those who have problems with the neck and spine. To maximize the benefits, you can use the Pillow Cube Pro .
- Material Used: Premium quality fillers and ice cube cooling covers are used.
- Area of Support: Head, Back, Neck, and Shoulder
- Suitable for: Back and Side Sleeping.
- Unique features: The pillow is available in Standard and Thick sizes, improves circulation, and promotes better REM sleep and snoring. The covers are machine washable.
Drawbacks
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Buyers Guide: Best Pillows With Arm Holes
Its estimated that we spend about one-third of our lifetime sleeping2, so finding the perfect pillow for your sleeping posture is a worthwhile investment! With hundreds of specialized pillows to choose from, it can be overwhelming to find the right one for you. Weve created a buyers guide and compiled some of our most frequently asked questions to help our side-sleepers find the best arm hole pillow for their needs.
How To Choose A Pillow As A Side Sleeper
To best keep your head, neck, and back in neutral alignment, look for a medium-firm to extra-firm pillow that keeps your head around 3 to 4 inches above the mattress. Pillows that have wide side gussets are better at maintaining this height over time.
You may also want to look for a pillow that wont go flat over time.
If youre looking to avoid certain chemicals, like volatile organic compounds , look for brands whose pillows use CertiPUR-US or Greenguard Gold certified materials to narrow down your options.
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We Got To Try Them Out And Loved Them
I had the opportunity to try out both varieties of Zoey Sleep Pillow recently, the Curve Pillow and the Classic Pillow, and found both to be extraordinarily comfortable, scent-free, and adjustable. After reading about the company and materials used to make the pillows, I felt confident sleeping on them and also allowed my son to sleep on them as well. We both tried out and enjoyed them equally, but my son ended up keeping the Curve since he is a side sleeper , while I opted for the Classic .
What Makes A Good Side
To stay comfortably aligned, most side-sleepers should look for a pillow that has 4 to 6 inches of loft, or height, and provides the right combination of softness and firmness . People who sleep on their side need more support than those who favor any other sleep position because, on their side, they have a larger gap between their head and the mattress. As a result, if you have broad shoulders, you need a loftier pillow. The goal of any pillow should be to keep your head and neck in roughly the same position as they are when youre standing straight.
The goal of any pillow should be to keep your head and neck in roughly the same position as they are when youre standing straight.
Terry Cralle, a registered nurse and clinical sleep educator, told us that keeping your body correctly positioned at night is crucial to your physical health and the quality of your sleep. Your sleeping posture is just as important as your waking posture, she said. Your head will be angled downward if the pillow is too thin and angled upward if too thick. Aim for neutral, to keep the head, neck, and spine in alignment. And your neck isnt the only part of your body that needs support. Cralle also told us, If you are a side sleeper, a thinner pillow placed between your knees can help make you more comfortable and help keep your spine in a neutral position. We also recommend using a body pillow to get full-length support while youre on your side.
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Relief From Back Pain
If you deal with back pain during the day, the way you sleep might be a contributing factor. While some people opt for sleeping on their backs to relieve aches and pains, this sleeping position isnt always an option due to issues like snoring or sleep apnea.
If you cant sleep on your back but have back pain, side sleeping is a worthy alternative.
Disadvantages of Side Sleeping
As with all sleeping positions, there are both pros and cons to side sleeping. Fortunately, you can bypass the drawbacks and disadvantages of side sleeping by choosing a high-quality mattress and pillow.
Coop Home Goods Knee Pillow
- Customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
- Firmness: extra firm
- Material: memory foam
Side sleepers may benefit from sleeping with an extra pillow between their knees. This can help better align the spine.
This adjustable knee pillow is ergonomically shaped for comfort. Its designed to help side sleepers create more space between the legs. More space helps reduce hip pressure and maintain proper spinal alignment.
The pillow cover is made from polyester and bamboo-derived rayon and can be hand-washed. The fill is all CertiPUR-US certified polyurethane memory foam. Its hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites.
This pillow comes with a removable foam insert, so you can control the pillows thickness and density. You cant wash the fill or the insert.
The manufacturer provides a 100-night sleep trial and return window if the pillow doesnt work for you, as well as a 5-year limited warranty.
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Advantages Of Side Sleeping
When you get into bed to snuggle up for the night, youre naturally getting into the position that is most comfortable for you. Side sleeping is the most popular sleeping position among adults, with back sleeping coming in second and stomach sleeping in third.
There are several major potential benefitsto sleeping on your side. Lets look at just a few.
What To Consider When Purchasing A Pillow For Side Sleepers
In your research for a pillow that is compatible with side sleeping, youll no doubt come across pillow manufacturers who claim their products are suitable for all sleep positions, or that their pillows construction and materials offer universal comfort for all sleepers regardless of body type or personal preference. These marketing claims are misleading. Each pillow is uniquely designed to provide a distinct feel. Given the demands of different sleep positions, any pillow you select will be better suited to some sleepers and less so for others.
Rather than using marketing jargon to guide your pillow search, focus on the following attributes instead.
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Side Sleepers And Snoring
Sleeping on your back lets your tongue and other mouth muscles collapse toward the back of your throat. This is a main factor in the vibrating sounds we call snoring. Thus, if you sleep on your back and you snore, try switching over to sleeping on your side. You may find the relief youre seeking, and if you have a partner they will likely be very grateful as well.
Still, switching sleeping positions is always a bit hard. Some people find that if they place a pillow behind their back, it serves as a reminder to not roll over in the middle of the night. If you do switch to sleeping on your side and find that youre still snoring, you might actually have obstructive sleep apnea.
Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where your throat muscles relax and block your airway at irregular intervals. This in turn interrupts your breathing over the course of your sleep. Aside from snoring, people with obstructive sleep apnea may experience waking up in the middle of the night gasping for air or waking up with a dry mouth. Its best to check in with your doctor to make sure youre not confusing snoring for something more serious.
How Can Side Sleepers Rest More Comfortably
Side sleeping is comfortable for most people, so its no wonder this is among the most popular sleeping positions. However, sleeping on one side for too long can result in pressure build-up and soreness. Heres what you can do to prevent these issues from happening.
Find a Good Mattress
Side sleepers typically need a mattress with a medium-range firmness. A bed thats too soft would let the body sink in too deeply, whereas a bed thats too firm would cause pressure build-up on the shoulders, hips, and knees. A good mattress makes all the difference in your sleep quality, especially if you rarely switch sides. The right mattress includes quality materials that will help deliver critical pressure relief and support. Weight is also an important consideration when mattress shopping. While most average-size sleepers would do best with medium-firm beds, lightweight side sleepers can utilize softer beds.
Use a Topper
If you already have a mattress youre unwilling to replace, you can add a topper to modify how it feels. If your bed is too firm or no longer as supportive, adding a foam topper could make a significant difference. Mattress toppers are available in many sizes and firmness levels to fit all sleeping positions, including side sleeping.
Place a Pillow Between the Knees
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What Pillow Materials Are Best For Side Sleepers
Based on our hands-on tests, weve noticed that the best pillow fill materials for side sleepers include memory foam, latex, buckwheat hulls, and other components that offer sufficient support without feeling too firm. However, the amount of comfort a pillow offers side sleepers depends on a few other factors. The most common pillow materials are outlined below.
Get New Pillows Regularly
No matter what you spend on a pillow , the materials break down over time and offer less support. Replace pillows about every 1 to 2 years.
Show Sources
Harvard Health Publishing: âSay âgood nightâ to neck pain,â âIs your pillow hurting your health?â
University of Rochester Medical Center Health Encyclopedia: âGood Sleeping Posture Helps Your Back.â
Mayo Clinic: âSnoring.â
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Neck And Shoulder Pain Relief
Shoulder and neck pain are two particularly common issues that affect a wide range of different sleepers. It could be attributed to any sleeping position, and its not necessarily tied to a particular one.
In a lot of the cases, though, sleeping on your side, regardless of whether its left or right, could seriously alleviate back, shoulder and neck pain. This is mainly due to the extended support and relief of pressure points which pillows of the kind are delivering.
Pillows for side sleepers are designed to enhance your spinal alignment in a manner which would alleviate all tension and pressure between your body and the mattress. This is quite important. Consequentially, it would conveniently lessen the pain or stiffness that you might be feeling in the areas of your shoulders and neck.
Interested in exploring further? View our full best pillows for neck pain guide.
