Did You Know?

• Your head weighs 4.5 – 5.5 kilos (10-12lb)?
• Your neck contains 7 of the spine’s 33 vertebrae?
• If you have neck pain, a stiff neck, suffer from headaches then this may be as a result of poor pillow support whilst sleeping.
• Poor pillow support can also cause narrowing of the air pipe, resulting in obstructed breathing, and sometimes snoring, which can hinder sleep.
  And ……. can often cause arguments!
• If the height of the pillow is too high or low when sleeping, your neck is bent abnormally out of alignment, causing muscle and joint strain. You can even wake with headaches.
• A good pillow should hold your head, neck and spine in correct alignment whilst sleeping.
• The human neck curves slightly forward (to sustain the weight of the head when upright), and it is very important to maintain this curve when in a resting position.
• No matter what position you lie in, the pillow should be under your head, but not your shoulders, and should be a thickness that allows your head to be in a normal position.
• A pillow that is too soft will allow the head to flop, curving the neck.
• A pillow that is too hard will give you a crick in the neck.
• It is preferable to sleep on your back and on your side.
• If possible, avoid sleeping on your tummy as this puts a lot of strain on your neck as your neck is permanently twisted throughout the night.
• A naturally filled (feather and down and wool) breathable pillow is the perfect choice. These natural materials help regulate your body and keep it at the optimum temperature whilst you sleep.
• Pillows affect your sleeping posture, so it is important to have a good quality pillow.
• It is recommended that you change your pillow every 1 – 2 years (depending on how it has been maintained) for a healthy sleeping environment.
• It is time to change your pillow if:
  • You have any of the above issues.
  • The internal supportive materials have broken down.
  • When your pillow has lost its loft (height).
  • When your pillow becomes lumpy.
  • When your pillow becomes discoloured.
  • Your pillow is old and unwashed.
• Old and unwashed pillows could also contain as much as 10% of its weight in skin scale mould, dead and living dust mites and their allergen laden droppings!
• If that’s not what you want to cuddle up to at night, then

It’s definitely time to change your pillow!