Working from home doesn’t need to be a pain in the neck.
Expert advice: How sleeping with the right pillow makes working from home more comfortable.
Working from home since the pandemic began in March has become a pain in the neck, shoulders and back for many of us, as we spend hours hunching over our laptops on the kitchen table or answering emails in bed. Tielle Love Luxury reveals how a good pillow is key to getting a quality night’s sleep allowing your body to rest and recover after a hard day’s work in often not ideal settings.
Robert Lancaster-Gaye, co-founder of luxury linen brand Tielle Love Luxury, has years of experience working with leading hotels to select the best pillows for their guests to ensure they have the ultimate night’s sleep. He believes you should let your pillow work for you as you sleep. “Finding your perfect pillow match is essential to getting a restful sleep, but finding the best one is no simple task.”
Lancaster-Gaye added, “Just as one shoe size doesn’t fit all, neither does one pillow. Consider your sleep needs and personal preferences, then invest in the best quality pillow you can. The right pillow should support the head and keep the neck in line with the spine to help relieve pain and allow the muscles to relax at the end of the day. We recommend that you buy one, sleep on it, then buy the rest for the bed once you’re happy.”
With so many options to choose, from goose or duck feather and down to anti-allergy microfibre fills, how do you decide what pillow’s best for you and your sleeping style?
First of all, you should check the quality of your current pillows to see if it is time to invest in some new ones. It is easy to do, simply place the pillow on a firm surface and press down. If the pillow springs back into shape as soon as you lift your hand, there’s no need to replace it just yet.
However, if the time is right, help is at hand…
Think about your sleeping position before buying a natural or microfibre pillow. Soft fillings are more suitable for back and front sleepers, while a firmer pillow is preferable for side sleepers. Fillings such as microfibre or feather pillows in anti-allergy casings may be better if you suffer from house dust mites. If you’re a bedtime reader or emailer, you may also want an extra firm pillow or to invest in oversized superking size pillows or extra large pillows to prop you up and support your back and neck. Memory foam pillows and curved pillows can also provide neck support.
SIDE SLEEPER:
Go for a firm, high pillow that will help keep your spine and neck aligned. Placing a pillow between your knees while you sleep can prevent pain in the lower back. Tielle choice: Marquis Duck Feather and Down Pillow or the Down Surround Feather and Down Pillow for their high quality feather content offering comfort and support.
FRONT SLEEPER:
If you’re a front sleeper, you need a pillow that protects your back and neck. Go for a soft pillow and consider tucking one under your stomach to support your lower back. Tielle choice: European Goose Down or the Duck Down Pillow for their cloud-like softness and gentle support.
BACK SLEEPER:
Choose a soft pillow that won’t throw your head too far forward and put stress on your neck. Tielle choice: European Goose Down or our Duck Down Pillow for their soft down filling and fantastic natural loft.
MIXED OR COMBINATION SLEEPER:
No pillow will completely satisfy your needs if you toss and turn at night. Your best bet is to go for a medium height pillow that offers support for side sleeping and the shallowness needed for back sleeping. Tielle choice: Rosewood Goose Feather and Down or the Savoy Duck Feather and Down Pillow. These 5 star hotel pillows are Tielle’s most requested hotel quality pillows and loved by the best 5 star hotels including Claridge’s and Gidleigh Park.
Making Your Pillows Last Longer
Once you’ve decided on the best pillows for you, keep your investment fresh with the unsung hero – a pillow protector, as even pillows need a little TLC. A pillow protector helps prolong your pillow’s lifespan and adds an extra layer of comfort. A soft cotton zipped pillow protector will more effectively protect from odour, stains and dust mites than an unzipped envelope style pillow protector. Cotton is also breathable and noise-free, unlike many synthetic pillow protectors.