Head up: Find the right pillow for you.

The mattress isn’t always to blame. The wrong pillow can also affect your sleep quality and aggravate neck discomfort. An ergonomic pillow can help keep your cervical spine in a natural position while you sleep and relieve strain on your neck muscles.

But which pillow is right for you? Whether you sleep on your side, back or stomach, your sleep position, pillow height and the material all play an important role in choosing the right pillow.

1. Your cervical spine and neck: why the right support matters

Your cervical spine has a natural curve that should be maintained as much as possible when you lie down. If your pillow is too high or too low, your head may bend at an awkward angle. This can put additional strain on your neck muscles and nearby structures. Possible effects include tension, neck pain and discomfort in the shoulder area.

An ergonomic pillow supports your head and neck to help keep your cervical spine as naturally aligned as possible. The pillow should neither give way too much nor raise your head unnecessarily.

The support you need depends on several factors. Along with your preferred sleep position, your body shape, shoulder width and mattress all play a role. A suitable neck support pillow can help you find a more comfortable sleep position and prevent tension. However, headaches can have many possible causes and cannot be prevented simply by changing your pillow.

2. Pillow materials and sleep climate: what should you look for?

As well as its shape and height, the material is important when choosing the right pillow. It affects how well the pillow adapts to your head and neck, how much support it provides and how comfortable your sleep climate is.

A breathable pillow can help wick away heat and moisture. Depending on their design, open-cell foams allow good air circulation. Other materials may also be suitable, as long as they meet your personal needs and suit how warm or cool you like to sleep.

When choosing a pillow, pay particular attention to these features:

• Breathability: A good sleep climate supports your comfort and can help reduce excessive heat build-up.

• Adaptability: The pillow should mould to your head and neck without letting your head sink too far in.

• Support: Your neck should be reliably supported so that your cervical spine remains as naturally aligned as possible.

• Care and hygiene:Washable covers and easy care can help keep your pillow hygienic over the long term.

Whether memory foam, latex, fibre filling or another material suits you best depends on your personal feel and individual needs. The important thing is that your pillow is comfortable, provides enough support and gives you a pleasant sleep climate.

3. The right pillow height for your sleep position

The right pillow height for you depends largely on how you sleep. Your head needs different support when you sleep on your side than when you sleep on your back or stomach.

Pillows for side sleepers

If you mainly sleep on your side, you will often need a slightly higher pillow to fill the space between your shoulder and head. The pillow should fill this gap appropriately and prevent your head from sinking towards the mattress or bending upwards. The right pillow height depends, among other things, on your shoulder width and how deeply your shoulder sinks into the mattress.

Pillows for back sleepers

If you sleep on your back, a flatter pillow is often a good fit. The key is to make sure your head is not pushed too far forward while your neck still gets enough support. With their special shape, ergonomic neck support pillows can help support the natural curve of your cervical spine.

Pillows for stomach sleepers

If you sleep on your stomach, you will usually need a very flat pillow, or may be more comfortable without one. A pillow that is too high can tilt your neck further back, while your head is already turned to one side in this sleep position. The most comfortable option for you depends on your personal preference.

As a general rule, your pillow should suit both your sleep position and your mattress. If you often change sleep positions during the night, an adaptable pillow that provides enough support in several positions may be a good choice.

4. Ergonomic pillows: what are the benefits of a neck support pillow?

An ergonomic pillow, often called a neck support pillow, is designed to provide targeted support for your head and neck. Depending on the model, it may have different heights, contours or zones designed to adapt to the natural shape of your neck.

A suitable neck support pillow can help improve pressure distribution, relieve strain on your neck muscles and make it easier to find a more comfortable sleep position. If you regularly wake up with neck tension or neck pain, it may be worth taking a closer look at your current pillow.

However, not every ergonomic pillow is right for everyone. Even a high-quality neck support pillow can aggravate discomfort if its height, shape or firmness does not suit your body shape and sleep position. That’s why it’s a good idea to try different pillows and pay attention to how your head and neck feel when you lie down.

Neck discomfort? We’ll help you find the right pillow!

Good sleep depends on more than your mattress. The right pillow also helps keep your head, neck and cervical spine comfortably supported throughout the night.

Our sleep experts will be happy to advise you on choosing the right pillow. Together, we’ll work out which pillow height, shape and material suit your sleep position and individual needs. We’ll also show you how to adjust your pillow yourself if needed.

Find the pillow that’s right for you—for greater sleep comfort and a relaxed start to the day.