Knowing how to buy the right pillow is just as important as knowing how to but the right mattress. You pillows are not just additional accessories to make your bed more comfortable, but they have a direct impact on the quality of the sleep you get. A good pillow will give you all the comfort you need to sleep like a baby, but a wrong pillow will not just make you uncomfortable, but also may cause a myriad of sleep-related pains.

With so many types and sizes to choose from, it pays to know what to look for in a pillow and how to choose the right one that will suit all your needs. If you are considering going to Puffy for a new mattress and a new set of pillows, here are a few questions to help guide your decisions as you make considerations for a new pillow-:

What is your preferred sleep position?

The perfect pillow for you should complement your sleep posture. It implies that it should align properly with all of your body, including the hips, knees, spine, head, shoulders, and neck. If you sleep in a manner that your neck and shoulders aren't well supported, you may probably wake up with pain since you will be straining the whole night to stay comfortable.

Though there are no strict rules when it comes to choosing pillows based on your sleep position, it is still important to know the kind of sleeper you are or if you the kind of person who has no preferred sleeping position and will always use multiple positions before the morning comes. Here is a look at some of the common sleeping positions and the preferred types of pillows you should consider-:

• Back sleepers – go for flatter pillows with adequate support which will allow the head and the neck to maintain the right posture while you sleep
• Stomach sleepers – if you enjoy sleeping on your belly, then the ideal pillows for you are the very soft and thin ones. But you can always do well without pillows if you are a stomach snoozer.
• Side sleepers –for side sleepers, the most ideal pillows for your sleeping position should be firm and thick to give you all the support needed for the upper back, neck region, and the head.

What kind of mattress are you using?

For a better sleep experience, it is vital to have a good combination of pillows and mattresses. It is recommended that when you have a firm mattress, then the preferred pillow should be softer. This is because the pillow will be lying on a firm surface and will be required to comfortably accommodate the weight of your head while you sleep. When the mattress is firm and the pillow is also firm, you are likely to experience some discomfort because your head and neck will not be properly aligned.

Do you like to sleep hot or cold?

How you like to sleep, whether hot or cold will also have an impact on the type of pillow you choose. If you are the kind of guy who likes to throw off blankets and covers because you feel warm when you sleep, then you need to be very careful with the kind of pillow you choose. Memory foam pillows are very popular and they are usually preferred by many people, but you need to be aware that if your body temperature usually rises when you sleep, then they will not be the right option in your case. You can choose the down-filled ones or pillows with water reservoirs inside. These will help you cool down nicely when the body temperature rises and you will feel more comfortable as you sleep.

What is your budget for the pillow?

Your budget will determine the kind of pillow you will buy and it is imperative that you have this in mind before you walk into a store to buy Puffy mattresses and pillows. For instance, down pillows are known to be fluffy and lovely, but they are relatively expensive when compared with those that have synthetic fillings.

It is always recommended that irrespective of the pillow type you go for, you should always avoid the cheap ones which will also be of poor quality. Instead, strive to spend your money on a good quality pillow that you will use for many years. For example, a good foam pillow provides a very good balance between price and quality and getting a set will always treat you to a nice experience.

Know if it is the right time to replace your pillows

It pays to know when to replace your pillows or simply wash them and continue using them. One way to figure out is to simply give them a very good sniff, and if you don’t like what you smell, then you can decide to either or trash them. If they have lost a lot in terms of quality, and they are no longer fluffy or springy, then it could be the right time to throw them away and get new ones. Again, if you fold them in half and they manage to remain in that position, that will be another indication that they need a break. Some people are fond of hanging onto their pillows for too long, and this is one thing you must avoid. Whether or not your pillows are old, make it a habit of replacing them once every two or three years.

Are you having allergies?

If you usually have allergic reactions to feathers, then you should not think about going for down pillows. In such a case, you may consider variations that use hypoallergenic fills which will give you the fluffiness and the comfort of down pillows minus the allergies. Dust mite may also cause problems along the way and as such, you should consider buying pillows with micro-weave covers to prevent mites from burrowing and depositing their dust between the covers which will then cause allergies after some time.