Signs Your Pillow Needs An Overhaul
We use pillows every night but not many know that they need replacing every 3-4 years. Like mattresses, they lose their supportiveness and can accumulate a huge amount of germs. Rob Dunn of North Carolina State University, along with his colleagues, collected swabs from different parts of their homes such as toilets, fridges, and beds. They found that pillowcases were as dirty as toilet seats! They maintained that it was difficult to know where a particular strain of bacteria came from. Regular replacement (and cleaning) of both covers and pillows are key to controlling germs that can otherwise interfere with your sleep.
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7 Reasons You Need To Replace Your Pillows
1. You Wake Up With A Stiff Neck
Have you been waking up with a stiff neck that can’t be blamed on an injury? It could be a sign that your pillow is the culprit. When a pillow is old, it can’t provide the same level of support it used to. The head and neck are not positioned how they should be so the length of the spine isn’t aligned naturally. This can cause discomfort that can extend to the back and even down the hips and knees.
2. Your Pillow Is Lumpy
Pillows should have zero lumps as the goal is to provide comfort and support to the head and neck. However, with time the filling starts clumping together and forms lumps that poke against you. Press your pillow with your hand and feel for any bumps or lumps. If you find them, it’s an indication that it’s time for a change.
3. You Wake Up With Headaches
Tension headaches are very common and can be mild, moderate or painful. They feel like a band squeezing the head but can also affect the neck. If you’re not prone to having headaches but find yourself frequently waking up with them, check your pillow. If it can’t provide support, it forces your upper body into an improper position when sleeping. The stress your body goes through can cause pain in the neck and head.
4. You’re Sneezing – And It’s Not The Cold/Flu
The occasional sneeze is nothing to worry about but frequently waking up sneezing is something to look at. Pillows are hotbeds for dust mites and old pillows are likely filled with them. Resting your face against a pillow for hours each night gives them a chance to trigger allergy attacks and even exacerbate asthma symptoms. You’ll know your pillow is to blame if the sneezing goes away after you get up and the day passes.
5. Your Pillow Doesn’t Spring Back
New pillows have a springiness to them while old pillows are like old mattresses. They lose bounce and support and can’t retain their original shape. Test your pillow for springiness by folding it in half. If it bounces back, it’s fine and if doesn’t it’s time to replace it. Continuing to sleep on old pillows will only cause discomfort, headaches and cold-like symptoms that can ruin sleep.
6. There Are Noticeable Stains
Your skin produces natural oils that keep it moisturized. Over time, these oils can seep into your pillow and leave stains. If yours has the same and they can’t be removed, consider getting a new pillow. On a side note, you can keep your pillows free of stains by washing them regularly so oils don’t have a chance to set in.
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7. You Don’t Feel Refreshed
A good night’s sleep leaves you refreshed the next morning. If you find you’re waking up tired and craving more sleep, it could be that your pillow causes you to toss and turn and night. Of course, restless nights can be due to sleep disorders and bad mattresses but if you can discount these, your pillow probably needs replacing.
Pillows aren’t often prioritized as much as mattresses but they’re just as important. They should be firm enough to provide support yet soft enough that they’re comfortable. The head and neck should be perfectly aligned with the spine, irrespective of your sleeping position.
The Nuvanna pillow meets all these requirements and much more. Designed by a material scientist with more than two decades of experience, it provides comfort and conformability for the best sleep possible. It caters to all sleeping positions, thanks to billions of ultra-conformable fibers that respond to your movements. The pillow is encased in a cool-knit hypoallergenic fabric that keeps the head and neck cool for superior comfort. It’s incredibly low-maintenance too – just toss it in the washer as often as needed.
Restful sleep depends on several things and a good pillow is one of them. Pillows last for an average of 18 months to 4 years but if you take proper care of them, they can see you through longer than 3 years. Aside from replacing them periodically, you should keep them clean by washing them every 3 months or at least twice a year.