A pain in the neck. That’s what I have had for the past few days after traveling to another city via airplane and sleeping in hotel rooms. And I apparently wasn’t alone, as many of the people I visited with at the conference I attended said the same thing: “I miss my own pillow.”
Ah, yes. Your own pillow. It’s an adult version of a child’s teddy bear, as we just can’t seem to sleep well without it.
Jolene and I are showing our age. When we travel by car, we often pack our own pillows and take them to the hotel rooms or places we are staying. I remember seeing old people do that years ago, and I swore I would never do the same. I am finding that to be true of a lot of things now, as I am willing to sacrifice most any level of looking nerdy for comfort — and a good night’s sleep.
According to www.sleepjunkie.com, surveys show that nine in 10 people believe having comfortable pillows is an important factor in getting a good night’s sleep. About seven in 10 of the respondents to their survey rated pillows as making a big impact on their ability to get a good sleep.
But how many pillows? Those who sleep with two pillows were 30.6% of their respondents, and those who sleep with three pillows were 13.3%. The number jumps up with four pillows at 27.4%. Their results show that participants sleep with an average of 2.2 pillows on their beds.
I am in the two-pillow category. I have been told that’s not a good thing, but it seems to be the only way I can get comfortable, at least until the pillows wear out. This leads me to the next question, how often should pillows be replaced? The Sleep Foundation says most experts recommend replacing pillows every one to two years. Doing so helps ensure that pillows are supportive, clean and free of allergens. The foundation says you should buy new pillows when you notice excessive yellowing, or if your allergies are acting up at night.
Some pillow materials are also apparently more durable than others. The Sleep Foundation says a polyester pillow might last just one year, while a latex pillow might last up to three years. Essentially, like most things in life, you get what you pay for.
The bottom line is if you’re waking up with a sore neck, or if you’re unable to find a comfortable sleeping position, it might mean your pillow is no longer providing the support you need. So, I guess it’s time to shop for new pillows. How about you?
Have a terrific Tuesday, and thanks for reading.
Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305
www.thedailyumbrella.com | 
