Cushioning the body

Pillows and mattresses are an essential part of one’s daily sleep routine. They play an integral role in maintaining our physical and mental health. However, choosing the right kind of pillow and mattresses is no cakewalk. A number of facts contribute to making the right choice.

The most important factor is your sleeping position. You might be someone who sleeps on his or her belly and brings home a thick, king-size pillow. However, this purchase might result in you developing multiple health issues. It can be a severe shoulder, neck joint, back or hip pain, or it could even be a condition like vertigo that you might have never faced before. So, if you usually sleep turning on either of your sides, you should blindly opt for thicker pillows that can provide your back adequate support.

On the other hand, mattresses need expert view. According to the experts, one should change their mattress every seven years. What makes the decision even harder is the sheer range of options, with mattresses available in practically every budget and type one can think of.

According to the mattress expert, Vaibhav Malik, Eclipse Mattress, explains, “There are multiple range of mattresses like springs mattresses, foam mattresses are the latest technology and many others. Your mattress should always suit you. It is a very personal choice. That’s why it has a very vast range of products”    

On asking how one should choose the right mattress, he explains, “The body type preference you have in mind should be considered. Ideally one should be able to test the mattress and see what is more comfortable. Comfort is something you can feel instantly but getting the right support takes time. Technology is changing very fast now. Bodies take time to adjust to them but once you get used to it, it is very good for your back and health.”

“Many people, for instance, don’t realise that a double bed is only 135cm wide – that’s not even two single beds and nowhere near enough room for two adults to sleep comfortably without disturbing each other. Even moving up one size to a king-size mattress – at 150cm – can make a big difference,” He adds.

The fabric and material used to make these differently sized and shaped pillows are pivotal information that one should know while buying a new pillow. Bina Karmakar, a homemaker, says, “The first few days after getting a new pillow, I couldn’t figure out why my son kept on sneezing throughout the night. When I took him to the doctor, I came to know that my son is allergic to cotton and thus both the mattress and pillow needed alteration. Thereafter, I started researching and gaining knowledge about these things.”

Whereas, Rita Chatterjee, a mother of two, opines, “I’m very particular about pillows and mattresses. I developed Spondilitis at a very young age and don’t want my children to have any such issues. Nowadays, kids are very stressed out in any case. If they don’t get comfortable during the night as well, it is quite possible that they develop bone and muscle pain and suffer from a restless mental state due to lack of sound sleep. So, I make sure that the pillows are of their head’s size and make them want to fall fast asleep.”

Buckwheat hulls, kapok fibres, gel, synthetic down, memory foam or polyurethane (in various forms), latex and cotton are most commonly used as pillow fillers. A new type of pillow is on the rise that allows adjustable filling, where according to one’s need, the filling can be increased or decreased.

One can easily afford an appropriate pillow in a suitable size, based on their sleeping posture and bed size. Multiple charts and guides can be found in home stores to help one out with the variety of pillows by indicating, which one can be ideal for every individual.

Does it still seem like a mayhem affair? No, right? But only with the right guidance and honest professionals willing to help you out.