What’s the first thing you do when you have trouble sleeping? Do you toss and turn all night, or do you look for ways to help your sleep long term?

You could add another blanket, or look for external sleep inducers like a box fan or a speaker that plays white noise. However, the solution to your sleeping troubles might be right under your head. Pillows are an overlooked key to a better night’s sleep. 

Instead of treating pillows as an afterthought, it may be worth investing in quality pillows that don’t lose their shape. Most people are willing to spend plenty of money on a nice mattress, but pillows can make as big or as of a difference. It all depends on whether you need head support, neck support, or back support.

With all the different types of pillows available, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the different options for pillow shape and filling. In the article below, you’ll find a list of some of the most common types of pillows. Read on to help yourself make a decision!

Body Pillows

Body pillows are ideal for people who sleep alone and need a little support to keep them from moving around all night. Body pillows come in different shapes like U-shaped, C-shaped and L-shaped. They do take up quite a bit of room on the bed, which is why they aren’t ideal for couples trying to get comfortable in the same bed. 

The size and sturdiness of a body pillow can be a big help for people who tend to move all over the bed while they sleep. When used correctly, a body pillow will hold you in one place throughout the night. This will prevent you from waking yourself up by tossing and turning in the middle of the night. 

Memory Foam Pillows

For those looking for head and neck support, a memory foam pillow may provide a firm, stable option. Unlike down pillows or feather pillows, a memory foam pillow will conform to the shape of your head and neck. The firmer the memory foam, the better it supports your neck while you sleep. 

Memory foam pillows are more expensive than down pillows and feather pillows don’t need fluffing. They hold their shape well, and the memory foam filling lasts a lot longer than feathers, down or cotton. 

Some memory foam pillows even come with inner springs inside the foam. These inner-spring pillows are among the most supportive types of pillows available on the market. The space in between the springs also helps the pillow stay cool throughout the night.

Pregnancy Pillows

Pregnant women are often advised to sleep on their side, and a pregnancy pillow helps support the woman’s entire body in this position. Pregnancy pillows work in much the same way as body pillows, with a round cylindrical shape that reaches from the woman’s head to their toes. 

The main point of the pillow is to support the woman’s belly while they’re sleeping on their side. Its known benefits are improved blood circulation, relief from backaches, and longer-lasting sleep. This last point is especially important for pregnant women, who need all the rest they can get.

Cooling Pillows

Some of the most technologically advanced pillows can stay cool throughout the night even in a hot room. Since the human body tends to cool down as part of the process of falling asleep, it’s helpful to use mattresses and pillows that help keep the body as cool as possible. Cooling pillows provide this benefit through the use of knit fabrics and gel cooling beads inside the pillow.

Unlike most pillows that use woven fabrics on the outer layer, a cooling pillow uses knit fabric. This fabric has more air space, which helps keep the pillow cool. Additionally, the best pillows that stay cool may have a synthetic filling that stays cool in all temperature environments. Gel beads are the most common type of cooling filling used in these pillows. 

Lumbar Pillows

Not all pillows are designed just for the head and neck. Lumbar pillows are unique in that they’re meant to be placed under your lower back. These pillows are great for people who wake up with pain in the lower back. 

This pain can sometimes be caused by having a mattress that is too soft. However, buying a brand new, more firm mattress is far more expensive than simply investing in a pillow solution. If the back doesn’t have any support from the mattress, a lumbar pillow can provide some extra firmness in the area where it is needed most.

Wedge Pillows

If you’re sure you need more pillow support but aren’t quite sure which parts of your body need to be supported the most, wedge pillows are a great solution. Wedge pillows are designed to be used in multiple different areas along your body. These are smaller pillows shaped like a wedge that can be placed in between your legs, along your back, or even under your feet to elevate them and help blood flow.  

You’re Ready to Find the Perfect Pillow

Now that you have the full picture of which pillows are available on the market, you’re ready to start shopping. If you’re ready to find the perfect pillow, check out the selection of pillows available at Nest Bedding.