1. Do you love your pillow or are you pillow picky? - I'm like Rich. Definitely pillow picky. I'm a side sleeper and it's hard to find good ones that keep your head supported. I tried two Sutera pillows --this one (https://sleepsutera.com/products/dream-deep) that gave neck pain after a while and this one (https://sleepsutera.com/products/lavender-zen-pillow) where I'm pretty sure the artificial lavender scent triggered that nasty vertigo incident I had last year.
2. Are you on a mission to find the forever fluff? - HELLS YEAH! When the Women's Expo rolls thru my town every year, that bamboo pillow you linked to is sold there. LOL
3. Have you ever tossed something then later regretted it? - Yes, but mostly clothing, not a pillow. LOL
No link, but apparently I can get one through a chiro. I hit up Google University to see if I could find the Normalizer cervical pillow she mentioned. Found the company and can order directly, but guess where they ship from? Canada. 😑
I’m like your friend with the huge pile of pillows. I sleep with four - two for my head, because I don’t have one that is puffy enough and I’ll get a sore neck - and one for either side of my body that I can hug. I sleep on my side and when I turn over, there’s already a pillow there waiting for me. I know, it’s pretty ridiculous. Whenever I go to a hotel, I have to make sure they give me extra pillows and I always bring one with me on a road trip. I’m so high maintenance.
I am so into this POST! I am totally pillow picky and it didn't really happen until I broke my face. During that year of post-op visits and multiple jaw and face surgeries... everything pillow-oriented mattered. When I landed in Cambridge in December, my place came furnished with a buffet of pillows of different firmness levels, and let me tell you... after being on a ranch with zero, and I mean ZERO amenities (unless you count bears), it was HEAVEN. To have a supple, yet soft enough pillow that I can slip my arm under is the comfiest sleep ever. I will def steal it if and when I ever move!
Pre-Covid we would lend out pillows at our clinic (with the provision that the borrower put two pillowcases on). This would give our patients the opportunity to try it before they bought to see if it worked for them because everyone has closets full of pillows that don't work! Sadly, with the birth of Covid that opportunity no longer exists and they must take their chances on the pillows.
As I chiropractor I know a good pillow, and proper sleeping position, is very important for neuro-musculoskeletal health (I know, I sound like a commercial but it's true!)
Both of the pillows we sell are cervical pillows, one is a water pillow. It is a big seller because you can adjust it by adding or removing water. We also sell a Normalizer foam cervical pillow (which is what I use). I have also used My Pillow and, while I like it, I agree with you that constantly needing to fluff it up in the night is a bit tricky.
This is a great post CK, I love reading about what kinds of pillows everyone likes. It’s like work research for me!
Both of these pillows are great for side sleeping because they support the neck. I don’t have a link but they are readily available in most chiropractic or PT offices.
I’m a side sleeper and I have stenosis in my neck and upper back. My best ever pillow that I’ve had forever is “My Pillow” created by Mike Lindell. I’ve washed and dried it several times always comes back all puffed up again. Can’t do without it. If I forget it on a trip I won’t sleep well. Also use a pillow between my legs.
My ma bought me a My Pillow. I liked it at first but then I got annoyed that I was constantly readjusting and punching it. My ma loves hers! She bought for my kids too.
I may be weird, but for years I haven’t used a pillow when I sleep. Head straight on the mattress. I guess that speaks to the comfort of said mattress. Great post and thanks for sharing!
Hilarious *and* educational. I may not have the perfect pillow yet, but this one is in the running for "perfect post"! It arrived just before my bedtime and it made me so happy and relaxed, I had a great sleep.
I'm a bit pillow picky. I have one pillow for my head that is a cube, allegedly good for side sleepers. But it's not quite high enough for me to use all night without clogging up my sinuses, so I have to have a second, very thin pillow on top. Too thick and my neck is at a bad angle, too thin and it's problem one again.
Then there's my small leg pillow for between my knees. Absolutely essential and I do take it traveling. And I have a preferred pillow to cuddle with because it prevents my nose from breathing on the rest of my body.
And really I feel like I should get some new ones, even though I wash them and what not but like...how do I get new ones that are perfect again? I don't even know exactly what I'm looking for.
I'll have to check 'em out. The Pillow Cube was just an Instagram ad that their marketing then sold me on. I like it better than stacking up multiple pillows to get the same height.
It is annoying when changing positions (or waking up, which I do like 5+ times/night) but I sleep 90% on my right side cause I have difficulty falling asleep any other way, so it stays in the same place mostly.
I wish this were true. I've had trouble sleeping for the past five years. Sleep tests at home, in the lab, different pills and supplements - nothing's really worked yet and nobody's really even told me the issue.
Definitely a pillow person. Hard to understand why others would not bother. You spend 1/3 of your life in bed. Not spending the right effort for superb mattress, flipping it regularly, great sheets for the right season and seasonal blankets and GREAT pillows seems a bad move.
I wrote a post about it LONG AGO. There is evidence, when we sleep, our brain goes through a cleanup cycle that extends the useful life of our brains. It is probably why, it is likely, there is no such thing as catching up on sleep. BTW we make sure to replace our pillows on a pretty steady schedule :) We saw a live comedian once (local) observational humor. He said something akin to "the parts of our body we do not cover up likely get dirtier out in the world than most other parts :) Your head probably gets filthy. That means your pillow does also :)
I love the orthodox Jewish version of what happens when we sleep. Our souls visit G-d where he nourishes and rejuvenates us. This why in the morning there is a prayer thanking Him for returning the soul to the body. Modeh Ani L’fenechah…
I am sure pillows can be washed and we certainly wash them. When you wrote about pillows I remembered that February is usually the best time of year to buy bedding for some reason. Probably has something to do with supply chains :) We wash in woolite and use tennis balls to fluff them in the dryer. OCD pillow care.
Couple of great medical journal references in this old post about how brain cleanup happens when we sleep. Your explanation brings more smiles.
So funny! I love the made up dialogue between Rich and I! Haha. Yes, every night for 25 years, he'd climb into bed, punch his pillow and say, "is this my pillow?" implying that I had stolen his pillow and was not using it. I like the mushy ones too, but not too mushy. I know when visiting you, I DON'T need to bring my pillow!
Absolutely a pillow fan. I just recently found my ideal pillow at a Walmart in Texas. It’s heavenly. Nobody else likes it the way I do. That means I won’t have to share. 😁
1. Do you love your pillow or are you pillow picky? - I'm like Rich. Definitely pillow picky. I'm a side sleeper and it's hard to find good ones that keep your head supported. I tried two Sutera pillows --this one (https://sleepsutera.com/products/dream-deep) that gave neck pain after a while and this one (https://sleepsutera.com/products/lavender-zen-pillow) where I'm pretty sure the artificial lavender scent triggered that nasty vertigo incident I had last year.
2. Are you on a mission to find the forever fluff? - HELLS YEAH! When the Women's Expo rolls thru my town every year, that bamboo pillow you linked to is sold there. LOL
3. Have you ever tossed something then later regretted it? - Yes, but mostly clothing, not a pillow. LOL
Oh no! Artificial scents in bed would give me a big headache.
I hope Donna gives you the link to bedding bliss. 🙏
No link, but apparently I can get one through a chiro. I hit up Google University to see if I could find the Normalizer cervical pillow she mentioned. Found the company and can order directly, but guess where they ship from? Canada. 😑
Same! I'm curious about that Normalizer pillow.
I’m like your friend with the huge pile of pillows. I sleep with four - two for my head, because I don’t have one that is puffy enough and I’ll get a sore neck - and one for either side of my body that I can hug. I sleep on my side and when I turn over, there’s already a pillow there waiting for me. I know, it’s pretty ridiculous. Whenever I go to a hotel, I have to make sure they give me extra pillows and I always bring one with me on a road trip. I’m so high maintenance.
As long as you get a good nights sleep. 🙏💤
Of course that’s all that really matters!
I am so into this POST! I am totally pillow picky and it didn't really happen until I broke my face. During that year of post-op visits and multiple jaw and face surgeries... everything pillow-oriented mattered. When I landed in Cambridge in December, my place came furnished with a buffet of pillows of different firmness levels, and let me tell you... after being on a ranch with zero, and I mean ZERO amenities (unless you count bears), it was HEAVEN. To have a supple, yet soft enough pillow that I can slip my arm under is the comfiest sleep ever. I will def steal it if and when I ever move!
Thx for sharing. So glad you found the right puff. Would love to know who makes this pillow that pleases.
It's a Quince Premium Down Alternative in Soft/Medium! At $40, they're super reasonable! I guess I'm not that hard to please :)
I never knew how much I needed an entire post about pillows!
1/3 of our lives spent in bed. Why not?
Pre-Covid we would lend out pillows at our clinic (with the provision that the borrower put two pillowcases on). This would give our patients the opportunity to try it before they bought to see if it worked for them because everyone has closets full of pillows that don't work! Sadly, with the birth of Covid that opportunity no longer exists and they must take their chances on the pillows.
As I chiropractor I know a good pillow, and proper sleeping position, is very important for neuro-musculoskeletal health (I know, I sound like a commercial but it's true!)
Any recommends?
Nice that you allowed patients to try them out!
Both of the pillows we sell are cervical pillows, one is a water pillow. It is a big seller because you can adjust it by adding or removing water. We also sell a Normalizer foam cervical pillow (which is what I use). I have also used My Pillow and, while I like it, I agree with you that constantly needing to fluff it up in the night is a bit tricky.
This is a great post CK, I love reading about what kinds of pillows everyone likes. It’s like work research for me!
What would you suggest for side sleepers? Also, can you provide the link to buy? LOL
Both of these pillows are great for side sleeping because they support the neck. I don’t have a link but they are readily available in most chiropractic or PT offices.
Thanks to our brilliant friends in Mesopotamia for the pillow!
Human ingenuity.
I’m a side sleeper and I have stenosis in my neck and upper back. My best ever pillow that I’ve had forever is “My Pillow” created by Mike Lindell. I’ve washed and dried it several times always comes back all puffed up again. Can’t do without it. If I forget it on a trip I won’t sleep well. Also use a pillow between my legs.
My ma bought me a My Pillow. I liked it at first but then I got annoyed that I was constantly readjusting and punching it. My ma loves hers! She bought for my kids too.
Glad it helps with your stenosis! 🙏
Thank you
I'm still searching for the one!
There are recommends in the comments!
Might have to visit that hotel 😉
🅿️icky 🅿️illow 🅿️erson! That’s me🙋🏻♀️
PPP. 😀
Maybe that should replace the ✅ Who cares who is verified… I want to know who else identifies with my pillow issues!
I may be weird, but for years I haven’t used a pillow when I sleep. Head straight on the mattress. I guess that speaks to the comfort of said mattress. Great post and thanks for sharing!
That's amazing! That's how babies sleep. Do you sleep like a baby? 🥰
Ha, ha. I do sleep well!
Hilarious *and* educational. I may not have the perfect pillow yet, but this one is in the running for "perfect post"! It arrived just before my bedtime and it made me so happy and relaxed, I had a great sleep.
I'm so glad! A fluffy essay.
I'm a bit pillow picky. I have one pillow for my head that is a cube, allegedly good for side sleepers. But it's not quite high enough for me to use all night without clogging up my sinuses, so I have to have a second, very thin pillow on top. Too thick and my neck is at a bad angle, too thin and it's problem one again.
Then there's my small leg pillow for between my knees. Absolutely essential and I do take it traveling. And I have a preferred pillow to cuddle with because it prevents my nose from breathing on the rest of my body.
And really I feel like I should get some new ones, even though I wash them and what not but like...how do I get new ones that are perfect again? I don't even know exactly what I'm looking for.
Look at some comments. People posting their fav pillows and where to buy!
I've never seen a cube. Hmmm.
I have the same issue with too high, too low. Too high-- neck problems; too low, reflux.
Knee pillow I don't understand. When you want to change positions it's annoying, right?
I'll have to check 'em out. The Pillow Cube was just an Instagram ad that their marketing then sold me on. I like it better than stacking up multiple pillows to get the same height.
It is annoying when changing positions (or waking up, which I do like 5+ times/night) but I sleep 90% on my right side cause I have difficulty falling asleep any other way, so it stays in the same place mostly.
You’re too young not to have a good night sleep. Do I sound like your mom?
I wish this were true. I've had trouble sleeping for the past five years. Sleep tests at home, in the lab, different pills and supplements - nothing's really worked yet and nobody's really even told me the issue.
The Pillow Corner in a hotel in Japan was the best pillow experience ever! A Choose Your Own Pillow adventure! (I've messaged you photos!)
I want to go!
Definitely a pillow person. Hard to understand why others would not bother. You spend 1/3 of your life in bed. Not spending the right effort for superb mattress, flipping it regularly, great sheets for the right season and seasonal blankets and GREAT pillows seems a bad move.
Spot on, Mark. And yes, 1/3 of life in bed is crazy when you think about it.
I wrote a post about it LONG AGO. There is evidence, when we sleep, our brain goes through a cleanup cycle that extends the useful life of our brains. It is probably why, it is likely, there is no such thing as catching up on sleep. BTW we make sure to replace our pillows on a pretty steady schedule :) We saw a live comedian once (local) observational humor. He said something akin to "the parts of our body we do not cover up likely get dirtier out in the world than most other parts :) Your head probably gets filthy. That means your pillow does also :)
Washing pillows isn’t enough?
I love the orthodox Jewish version of what happens when we sleep. Our souls visit G-d where he nourishes and rejuvenates us. This why in the morning there is a prayer thanking Him for returning the soul to the body. Modeh Ani L’fenechah…
What a nice thought...thanks for sharing!
I am sure pillows can be washed and we certainly wash them. When you wrote about pillows I remembered that February is usually the best time of year to buy bedding for some reason. Probably has something to do with supply chains :) We wash in woolite and use tennis balls to fluff them in the dryer. OCD pillow care.
Couple of great medical journal references in this old post about how brain cleanup happens when we sleep. Your explanation brings more smiles.
https://markdolan.substack.com/p/cleanup-in-aisle-3
I remember that essay. You ever going to return to the stack? It’s become very busy.
Been writing for abt a month — no set schedule
At least during rehab
So funny! I love the made up dialogue between Rich and I! Haha. Yes, every night for 25 years, he'd climb into bed, punch his pillow and say, "is this my pillow?" implying that I had stolen his pillow and was not using it. I like the mushy ones too, but not too mushy. I know when visiting you, I DON'T need to bring my pillow!
Haha. I scope the good pillow in a hotel room and take it.
Absolutely a pillow fan. I just recently found my ideal pillow at a Walmart in Texas. It’s heavenly. Nobody else likes it the way I do. That means I won’t have to share. 😁
Perfect! Congrats! 🙏🏼🥰