Health and Comfort in Bed – Choosing Pillows and Duvets

Natural duvets contain either duck or goose feather or down, or a combination of the two. Down holds more air than feather, but feathers curl, which helps to hold air too. It is the trapped air that warms the duvet.
Goose feathers are larger than duck feathers, so they can trap more air. This usually means that a goose down or feather duvet with a similar tog to a duck one will be lighter.
Natural fillings help to make your sleep a more comfortable one too. During sleep, the average person will lose 0.142 litres of body moisture. Natural filling helps to absorb this and, when aired during the day, will release it, leaving the duvet feeling fresher for the following night's sleep.
Synthetic fibres are made from polyester in a range of fibre types, including hollow and spiral fibre. Polyester is often lighter than natural fillings, and spreads more uniformly throughout the duvet, preventing the filling from 'clumping up' at one end or the other. Polyester is also non-allergenic, as dust mites cannot survive on it and therefore is better for allergy sufferers. It can be washed at a lower temperature too, and is easier for home washing.
Pillow fillings also come in natural and synthetic fillings, and can be bought as soft, medium and firm. Down will plump up better, but synthetic is, as mentioned, non-allergenic and better for allergy sufferers. For serious allergy sufferers, you can also buy pillows with specially treated filling against all allergens.
It is very important to choose a pillow that will keep the neck aligned with the spine. The neck curves slightly forward to support the head and this should be considered when choosing a pillow. Incorrect support may result in neck strain and obstructed breathing passages, which in turn could cause snoring.
Your sleeping position should also be taken into account: when sleeping on your back, the pillow should be low to support the shoulders, neck and head; for the side, a higher pillow should be used to align the neck and spine; for the front, a very low pillow should be used, or the head should be resting directly on the mattress.
Eventually, any pillow will lose its firmness. When this occurs and the pillow is no longer comfortable, it should be replaced.
Finally, and most importantly, the pillow should be comfortable; you should, after all, be able to relax in bed, so when you want to rest your head, it should be well and truly rested!