For most of us, we do not give much thought to our hotel pillow. It takes a night of uncomfortable sleeping positions and angry pillow kneading in a failed attempt to create matter where none exists to emphasize the pillows actual significance. But there is quite a lot to know about these underrated accoutrements of the travel biz.
There is a lot more to pillows than just pillows, as the vice president for brand operations at Wyndham Hotel Group, Keith Pierce tells us.
Below are some factors to think about when visiting your next hotel.
1. That pillow tag that always gets in the way. It fought smallpox
Those tags that are attached to comforters and pillows in the United States that list the exact amounts of fills, be they down or foam. It is known as a law label, according to the International Association of Bedding and Furniture Law Officials.
While this may seem like red tape government business, it is actually a product all the way back from the 1800s when some business people were stuffing mattresses and pillows with old and used hospital blankets that may have been carrying tuberculosis and smallpox.
2. The pillow in your hotel is probably a lot younger than your pillow at home
A synthetic pillow can last more or less 18 to 24 months when laundered and cared for properly, while a feather or down pillow can last you more or less 24 to 36 months, according to Kris Beck at Hilton Worldwide.
5. Not all rock stars trash their hotel rooms the same way
Tomsky tells the story where a singer of a rock band asked for 15 pillows for his bed. They pilled all 15 pillows onto his bed as he requested. The very next morning, they were laying all over the floor as you obviously cannot sleep on all of them. But who was it? Bon Jovi? The Nudge? Steven Tyler? Styx warbler Dennis De Young? Or maybe Meatloaf? When pressed for the name, Tomsky was discreet as a true hotelier and declined to provide any personal information concerning any of his guests.
7. You could have a personalized hotel pillow
When at the Beverly Hills Peninsula, VIP, suite and villa guests, and guests who have stayed on the property for five days or more, will get to sleep on pillowcases that have been monogrammed with their initials.
The Beverly Hills Peninsula has over 1000 pillowcases on hand at all times and a variety of initial combinations, though for those who have the rare names, monogramming a new pillow will only take about 10 minutes.
When guests leave the hotel, they can take their monogrammed pillowcases with them or they can have them boxed by the hotel for their next stay at the hotel.
How Many Pillows Should I Sleep With?
This may seem like a trick question, but when you are having trouble sleeping, it is definitely something to consider. How many pillows should I sleep with? Well, the answer is actually pretty simple.
While each person has different sleep needs, most of us only need one good, comfortable pillow in order to have a healthy amount of neck support. The tricky part is finding that pillow that is just right for you. In the below guide, we talk about everything you may need to find the right pillow that offers your head and neck the support and comfort it needs.
The function of your pillow
Just like a good quality mattress, the primary goal of a pillow is to keep your head, spine, and neck in alignment. Proper posture and healthy spinal alignment have a big influence on your overall sleep health, almost more than anything else does. Many of your aches and discomfort probably stem from misalignment of the spine and in order to get a proper nights rest and feel great in the morning, you need to nurture your spine.
When buying yourself a new pillow or mattress, you should always consider your sleep preferences, as your pillow, mattress, and sleep style all play a very important role in reinforcing a healthy spine. Below, we discuss what the right type of pillow and different sleeping positions can do.
The pillow for your sleeping position
The right pillows for you will offer the correct amount of support while also cushioning your head and neck comfortable. When judging the amount of support a pillow gives, pay attention to the firmness and softness. Loft usually refers to the height of the pillow, where the firmness indicates how soft it feels. Do not forget that your body type plays a big role too. The size of your head and the width of your shoulders also influence the ideal loft to keep your neck straight.
If you sleep on your side
Most people sleep on their sides, with more or less 70% of the population preferring to sleep this way. While most people who sleep on their sides use two pillows, they would actually benefit more from finding one good quality pillow that perfectly fills the gap between the neck and the shoulders.
In most cases, comfortable pillows for those who sleep on their sides are usually between 3 and 6 inches tall and firm. Regardless of what your personal preferences are, your pillow should always be firm enough to keep your head in line with the rest of your body. A pillow that is too soft or too firm can lead to soreness and headaches. Contouring pillows are ideal for those who sleep on their sides and do not know how thick their new pillow should be. Contouring pillows have two slopes, each of a different thickness, which allows you to try either side to see which is most comfortable for you.
If you sleep on your back
Low to medium-loft pillows are best for people who sleep on their backs, this can be anywhere from 1 to 5 inches thick.
People who sleep on their backs have an advantage when it comes to the health of their spines, as they are laying down in the most relaxed, natural position for the back. Because of this, one good pillow for those who sleep on their backs will properly hold their heads in place between the shoulders. A pillow that is too thin could cause your neck to crane backwards while a pillow that is too tall could push your chin forwards and cause soreness. If you sleep on your back, you would benefit from a pillow with a concaved centre, as it will help hold your head in place while you sleep and prevent waking up with a stiff neck.
If you sleep on your stomach
If you sleep on your stomach, you will be limited to only sleeping on very thin pillows; you will need to find pillows that are less than 3 inches thick. While some people find it comfortable to sleep without any pillows, putting a single pillow under your head could help keep your spine straight. If you sleep on your stomach and use a pillow that is too tall, it will push your neck back towards your spine, and this will create unnecessary discomfort.
A pillow that allows someone sleeping on their stomach to sleep face down, like the pillows you see at a massage spa with a hole in it, is ideal. However, not many people would enjoy sleeping in this position. To prevent future back pains and to get a good night’s rest, we would recommend converting to side or back sleeping, as sleeping on your stomach is not good for the body.
Using an adjustable bed to change your sleeping style
When we jump into bed every night, we naturally assume the position that is the most comfortable for our bodies. Changing the position in which you sleep is generally easier said than done, but it is not impossible.
While sleeping in an adjustable bed is generally seen as a luxurious way to upgrade your night’s rest, they can actually be useful tools when it comes to modifying your sleeping position and habits.
An adjustable bed will allow you to change up the angle of your head and your feet, allowing you to have full flexibility in order to find the most comfortable angle to sleep on your side or your back.
When are two pillows necessary
Most of us have more than one pillow on our beds, So what should we do with our extra pillows? While you will only need one pillow under your head, you can make use of your other pillows by putting them elsewhere for body support.
Nearly 31 million Americans suffer from lower back pain on any given day, it is one of the leading reasons people call in sick to work. Apart from buying the very best mattress for your back, pillows can also help in easing the discomfort in your back regardless of how you sleep.
– Side sleepers who suffer from chronic back pain can put pillows under their knees and ribs in order to reinforce healthy spinal alignment.
– When sleeping on your back, often you will have a gap between your lower back and the mattress. Putting a pillow under your knees can help your lower back sink deeper into the bed, straightening your spine and helping with back pain.
– If you sleep on your stomach, you can help prevent your torso from sinking too far into your mattress by putting an additional pillow under your stomach for some extra support.
If you are one of the many people who suffer from frequent back pain, you should definitely invest in a memory foam pillow. Memory foam is excellent for easing any discomfort and preventing new aches and pains. A memory foam pillow will be more expensive than your usual pillow, but the benefits it will provide are unmatched.
Apart from helping with lower back pain, pillows can also be used to improve your sleeping posture in other ways. Those who sleep on their sides can get a better night’s sleep by putting a pillow between their knees; this helps enforce a straighter pelvis. Additionally, body pillows can offer comfort to pregnant women, as they will help support under the stomach, behind the back and below the knees.
The extra pillow on your bed could also be used as a head or backrest while you are watching your TV show before bed; just remember to toss them on the floor when you fall asleep.
Are you ready to have the best night sleep now? We hope that our article has helped in understanding everything you may need to know to get the most out of your pillows. And while that pile of pillows look great on your bed, you only need one for your neck.
At Sealy Specialist Sleep Centre, we offer a variety of pillows and other sleep accessories for you to choose from. We know how important a good night’s sleep is which is why we only sell the very best quality products. To find out more about what we have to offer, visit our website on www.sealyspecialistsleepcentre.co.za.
