On average, we spend a third of our lives sleeping, it is a time for our bodies to recover from the day and heal any injuries we may have. Having a comfortable pillow may be the difference between having a bad sleep or getting the quality sleep our bodies need.

A poor sleeping posture may leave you waking up feeling tired, with a sore neck or shoulders and maybe even a headache, but having a good pillow suited to you can change this. A pillow is a very personal choice and the right pillow is different for everyone. With such a wide range of pillows available it can be difficult to know what to look for.

The job of our pillow is to provide our body with the support and comfort it needs while we are asleep. This allows you to wake each morning feeling refreshed and ready to start your day. There is a lot to consider when picking out your pillow, the material, shape and size. Another consideration to have is what is your preferred sleeping position, this can help your decision.

When we sleep ideally, we want for our head and neck to make a nice straight line with the rest of our spine, having the right sized pillow is crucial to achieve this.

If you are a side sleeper, typically, you would need a pillow that is slightly higher with a higher neck support compared to if you are a back sleeper you would need a slightly lower pillow.

Sleeping on your stomach can put an excessive amount of strain through our neck, shoulders and back, however if you are someone who prefers to sleep in this position and you get your best night sleep lying like this, then using a very low pillow or even no pillow will help with the alignment of your head and neck.

By Lauren Botter, Osteopath