A good and uninterrupted sleep is essential for your physical and mental health. According to experts, the best way to prepare yourself for better sleep is to optimize your bedroom environment and bedding – including the mattress and pillows, and change them when needed.

How often should you change pillows?

Pillows play an important role in ensuring quality sleep and maintaining spinal health. However, over time, dust particles, sweat, dead skin cells and allergens accumulate in them, which can affect hygiene and trigger allergies. “Pillows also lose their shape and firmness, reducing their ability to provide proper support to the neck and head,” says Dr. Shankar S. Biradar, Medical Director in collaboration with Magniflex IndiaTold Times Now.

According to Dr. Biradar, you must Replace your pillow every 1-2 yearsDepending on their content. “With proper care feather and down pillows can last up to 2 years foam or memory foam pillows Can maintain support for a little longer. However, synthetic pillows generally have a short lifespan, requiring replacement within a year or two,” he said.

Plus, there’s also a “wick” factor because pillows absorb things. all the time, like Skin oil, dead skin cells, facial and hair product residue, fungus and even dust particles. So, if your favorite pillow – which is five to 10 years old, could be causing a lot of allergies and infections for you.

“Signs that it’s time for a new pillow include lumps, loss of fluffiness, or waking up with neck pain or allergies. Regular maintenance, such as washing covers and fluffing pillows, can extend their lifespan, but replacement is necessary for optimal comfort and hygiene,” said Dr Biradar.

Also, be sure to clean your pillows and pillowcases regularly to protect them and improve their lifespan. You should wash your pillowcases whenever you wash your sheets, and many pillowcases can be machine washed and dried from time to time.

take care of your neck and back

Most importantly, experts say pillows are meant to support your neck and head while you sleep, relieve muscle tension, and promote healthy spinal alignment. And so, any loose or flat pillow won’t provide the necessary support, and you may wake up feeling sore or sore. Side sleepers may also experience shoulder pain due to a flat pillow. If your pillow isn’t providing the support it used to, it’s time to replace it.

Tips for Buying the Right Pillow for Your Neck

According to experts, you should always buy pillows that are customized as per your need, body type and condition. People who have back problems will have different needs than people who suffer from cervical spondylitis. And so, you should follow these tips to choose the option worth dreaming about:

• Try before you buy – look at different fillings, styles and sizes. If you are buying online, check the return policy so that you can check it physically before purchasing.
• Pay attention to the pillow’s inner filling but also its outer material as the outer layers vary in plushness and thickness.
• If you have allergies or asthma, consider hypoallergenic options instead of regular pillows.
• Once you have the perfect pillow, don’t keep it with you forever; Change it when the time comes.
• Don’t choose decorative pillows and always prioritize your health and well-being by keeping your head’s comfort a top priority.

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