IT'S TIME FOR PILLOW TALK

Most people choose their pillows based on comfort, but sleep experts say the position you sleep in is what really matters – here’s how to get it right

- BY CLYDE ADAMS-VISTER

IT'S a crucial component of good sleep that often gets overlooked: the humble pillow. We all know how the wrong pillow can leave you tossing and turning or waking up with neck pain. The right pillow, on the other hand, can ensure you wake up refreshed and pain-free.

But there's no such thing as a one-size-fits-all when it comes to pillows. Your pillow needs are entirely unique to you and have a lot to do with the position you sleep in.

Whether you're a dedicated side sleeper who curls up like a pretzel, a back sleeper who lies as still as a statue or a stomach sleeper who somehow manages to breathe in that position, your pillow should work in harmony with your preferred sleep style – not against it.

According to sleep experts, the wrong pillow can contribute to everything from chronic neck pain and headaches to more serious issues such as snoring and breathing problems during sleep.

From firmness levels and fill materials to loft height (thickness) and cooling technologies, the world of pillows offers many options. Here's advice on the pillow features that best suit your sleeping style so you can take your sleep experience from meh to magical.

SLEEP ISSUES CAUSED BY POOR PILLOW CHOICE

The consequences of getting your pillow wrong are more serious than you might think. says Dr Faizel Mansoor from the TMJ and Sleep Therapy Centre in Johannesburg. This may worsen existing issues such as mouth breathing or snoring in people who are already prone to them. It doesn't cause these problems, but it can definitely make them worse.

These might seem like minor annoyances, Mansoor says, but they can be indicators of more serious problems. Mouth breathing during sleep often suggests that airways are compromised, while snoring can be a sign of sleep apnoea, a condition that carries serious health risks if left untreated.