According to a 2014 survey by the Center for Disease Control, an estimated 35% of Americans reported persistent difficulty sleeping. And while those figures may hint at a much deeper and severe cause, for many of us our troubles are thankfully more mild.
Which doesn’t make it any less frustrating. How many times have you lay awake at night, tossing and turning, unable to find a comfortable position? Combined with the daily stress of our lives, it’s no wonder we’ve tried every conceivable solution; counting sheep… warm tea… even harsh and highly toxic over the counter chemicals only to discover that there simply is no cure for restlessness?
The fact is that for many of us, we simply never learned how to sleep correctly. We never learned how to find optimal positions for support. Never learned how to set a proper mood. And never learned to accustom ourselves to our changing bodies. And as a result, we still think our skeletal and nervous systems are going to be the same as they were when we were children.
Latex pillows have increased in popularity over the past few years as an alternative to traditional pillows. Not only do they retain their shape better, but they offer superior hypoallergenic protection. But which one is right for you? We’ll look at some of the more popular brands available, and also provide you with a few hints of what to look for the next time you’re in the market.
Snuggle-Pedic Ultra-Luxury Bamboo Shredded Memory Foam Pillow Combination Review
Their solution? To offer a breathable (and cooling) hypoallergenic pillow cover, which this model comes complete with.
Fully machine washable and dust mite resistant, this pillow is guaranteed not only to lose shape (an earlier complaint about memory foam pillows) but also keep your neck and head entirely cool.
Natural Talalay Latex Zoned Pillow Review
Optimized for both back and side sleepers, this is a high end addition to the latex pillow market (largely because of the natural Talalay latex); but nonetheless, a worthy contender.
All Natural Latex Pillow With Organic Cotton Outer Covering Review
A unique pin-core design helps promote air circulation and the hydrophilic covering keeps the pillow cool and reduces perspiration by wicking away moisture.
An excellent choice for first time buyers.
Beautyrest Latex Foam Pillow Review
Quite a few people have actually reported feeling relieved of painful pressure points as a result of Beautyrest.
Durable, long-lasting and an excellent bargain choice.
A Buyer’s Guide to Latex Foam Pillows
One of the advantages latex foam pillows have over memory foam is that they’re entirely hypoallergenic; a quick rub down with a wet sponge is all you need. However, you may not particularly care for the feeling of resting your head on bare latex; as a result, most brands come with removable covers that in no way inhibit the flexible design of the pillow.
Another benefit of latex foam is the fact that they hold temperature much better than a traditional memory foam; meaning that they actually dissipate body heat instead of retaining it. So if you live in humid climates, or simply are tired of being unable to sleep because of a warm head or neck, latex foam pillows are the perfect solution for you.
Typically, latex foam pillows come in three shapes: rectangular, which is fairly self explanatory (think of a slab of latex); contoured, which has a flow from left to right and can support the shape of the neck; and shredded, which are small shreds of latex used as stuffing. The rectangular is good for general light sleepers who don’t necessarily toss and turn, while those that suffer from chronic neck pain will likely benefit most from a contoured brand. Shredded brands are ideal for those who sleep on their stomach or sides.
Lastly, we should point out that latex pillows are designed to be extremely durable. Not only durable, but a good one will maintain its shape for years while still contouring to your specific needs. So if you’re tired of throwing out pillows every few months or so, latex is one of the most cost effective solutions around.
In conclusion, while there may be no cure for sleep disorders (and you should definitely not use one in lieu of a doctor’s recommendation,) you may find yourself resting much easier after one night on a latex foam pillow than you have in years. Pleasant dreams…
