Memory Foam Pillows - Are They For You?

Memory foam pillows can help you to get a really good night’s sleep, even if you are prone to allergies. That’s because, unlike standard pillows, the space-age material of memory foam is resistant to dust mites, which are the leading cause of most allergies. At the same time, these unique pillows offer the ultimate support as they conform to the shape of your head.

History of Memory Foam

First created in the 1960s by a NASA contractor named Charles Yost, memory foam at first was too brittle to be used long term. It was never used for its intended purpose as it was not durable enough in its original form.

The foam quickly began to gain popularity among bedding manufacturers when a Swedish manufacturing company named Tempurpedic was able to craft a more durable version and who recognized its particular benefits. The supple polyurethane foam bends and molds to the shape of anything that is pressed against it.

In the case of pillows, this means moving with your head and neck to provide support exactly where you need it most.

The result is a pillow that helps to promote proper alignment of the spine, which in turn alleviates chronic back, neck and joint pain that many individuals experience when sleeping on a standard pillow. Memory foam pillows can actually help to cut back on your medical expenses by correcting the source of your pain. You never know.

How Memory Foam Pillows Help Allergies

As if pain relief wasn’t enough of a benefit, memory foam also gives you relief from allergies by reducing your exposure to dust mites. The stuffing of standard pillows provides the perfect breeding ground for dust mites and that means increasing your exposure to these common allergens.

Considering the fact that we spend nearly 1/3 of our lives sleeping, ensuring that your bed and bedding are allergy-free is extremely important. Even though they reduce the number of allergens we still recommend you encase them with dust mite proof pillow covers. Our customers tell us 100% cotton covers work great.

And for those who are concerned about the environment, there are even memory foam pillows that are specially manufactured to eliminate the use of chemicals. This not only prevents you from inhaling potentially toxic fumes but also keeps those fumes from being released into the environment where they can do even more damage.

The Downside to Memory Foam Pillows

Of course, for all of the advantages to these alternative pillows, there are some disadvantages as well. Unfortunately, memory foam is sensitive to temperature extremes, which can cause it to lose its flexibility. Very hot or cold temperatures can cause the foam to harden, making it unable to provide the unique support that you expect.

Memory foam pillows also tend to wear out quicker than their standard counterparts, which means you’ll probably have to replace your pillow more often. This can be an issue as these pillows can be quite pricey compared to standard bed pillows. For individuals who suffer from neck and back pain, the price can be well worth it but their limited durability is still something to consider. 

There is no reason to live with debilitating pain. Many people get a good night’s sleep and improve their health at the same time with the use of a memory foam pillow. Maybe it can provide you with exactly the support you need so that you can sleep soundly and wake up feeling better. 

Wishing you the best of health.
The Allergy Store