When out shopping for a new pillow, big and fluffy ones are those that catch the eye first. These pillows, however, are not always the best choice for a good night's sleep. When you choose the best pillow for your sleeping needs, you have to consider your pillow loft.
Pillow loft refers to how high the pillow will lay on your bed. If a pillow has a low loft, it will be thin, and high lofts are thick. There is no way to determine whether a pillow loft is high or low in terms of exact measurements, as it will depend on the material of the pillow, and if it loses loft over time. The pillow’s job is to support your neck and head by taking up the empty space between your neck and the mattress. Several factors will affect your pillow loft needs.
The Firmness of Your Mattress Determines Pillow Loft Needs
If you have a soft mattress, which allows you to sink into it, you are sleeping low, which means you could need a pillow with less loft. Since a soft mattress means your head is closer to it, a pillow with less loft will work better as your head is low.
A firm mattress keeps you from sinking, and you end up sleeping high on it. In this case, you will want a high pillow loft as you are sleeping farther away from the mattress.
The Size of Your Head and Body Determines Pillow Loft Needs
If you have a heavy, large head, you will need a pillow with enough loft to support the weight. If your head is smaller, a modest pillow loft will work better for your sleep.
The same determination goes into body weight. If you are heavier, you will sink further into the mattress, which means you will sleep lower, and as already determined, sleeping lower means a pillow with less loft. The opposite is true for a smaller person who does not sink into the mattress as much. If you do not sink into the bed, you are sleeping higher and will need more loft.
How You Sleep Determines Pillow Loft Needs
While you are asleep, you want to try and maintain a comfortable and neutral position for your neck. You will want to avoid pillows that are either too high or too low as they will put your neck out of alignment with your body.
If you are a back sleeper, you will want to look for a pillow with a medium loft, so you keep your head aligned with the rest of your body. If you are typically a side sleeper, you will also want a pillow with a medium to high loft, so you fill in the space between the end of your shoulder and the side of your head.
When you sleep on your side, the broadness of your shoulders becomes a factor in pillow loft. If your shoulders are broad, your head will be higher and further away from the mattress than those with less width. If you have a broader shoulder width, you may require a pillow with a higher loft to better fill in the space between the end of your shoulders and your head.
Stomach sleepers do not always need a pillow, but a medium to the low loft will work best if you do use one. If you are a person who shifts your sleeping position, you might want to try having two different pillows with different loft levels. When you change positions a lot during the night, a scrunchable or moldable pillow may also be the solution for achieving your needs' right loft.
Get the Best Sleep Possible With a Sleep Artisan Pillow
If you want to have the best night's sleep, you want to make sure you have the proper pillow. It is essential to choose a pillow with the proper pillow loft, so you have appropriate support and comfort to get the optimal amount of sleep. Sleep Artisan pillows are adjustable, so you’re able to add or remove fill to find the perfect pillow loft for you!
