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How contour pillows work

Many sleep experts claim that a contour foam pillows (the ones that are shaped sort of like a trough) are best for people who tend to sleep on their sides. These memory foam pillows are excellent for preventing neck and shoulder pain in the morning by keeping the neck aligned with the spine during sleep.

Choosing a memory foam pillow

For the most part, choosing a memory foam pillow will depend on the degree of comfort you want, but that is also determined by your body type. For instance, men will probably want thicker memory foam pillows than women because (assuming one sleeps on one's side) their wider shoulders mean there is more space between the head and the mattress. A larger foam pillow is needed to keep the neck in alignment with the rest of the spine.

Advantages of memory foam pillows

A good memory foam pillow can cradle the head and neck without adding undue pressure. Because memory foam pillows distribute weight very evenly, they prevent places where excess pressure can restrict circulation. Most people relieve this pressure by tossing and turning in their sleep. This is another reason why foam pillows are so popular, and why they are credited with helping people to get a better night's sleep.

Pillows in history

Pillows have come a long way. A far cry from today's memory foam pillows is the wooden “pillow” used by the ancient Egyptians. It was a simple wooden stand that was covered by a few layers of cloth and held the head a few inches off the ground. It did have the advantage of allowing air to circulate, making it easier to sleep in the desert heat. But unlike, say, a contour foam pillow, it didn't leave much allowance for rolling over.

Material used in foam pillows

Your new memory foam pillow might give off a slightly “chemical” smell. As you've probably heard, memory foam was developed by NASA to cushion astronauts during flight. But the product never made it into space; that smell you smell is why. They realized that fumes from the foam would become concentrated inside a sealed cabin during long voyages. But here on earth a little air circulation is enough to solve the problem.

Foam density in memory foam pillows

Foam densitiy for a memory foam pillow is even more a matter of personal taste than on other memory foam sleep products. The more popular densities seem to be at the high end—4.5 to 5 lbs. Per cubic foot. Just remember that the pillow you buy will need to hold your head in the correct position for the entire night. So make sure the foam pillow you buy will maintain its compressed shape for several hours.

Material used in foam pillows

The material used in memory foam pillows has a unique cellular structure that allow air to flow through the memory foam pillow. This helps the pillow insulate without holding too much heat, or letting to much heat slip away. Check with your dealer, however, as some memory foams change their characteristics at temperatures below 60 degrees.