We take a look at what happens when you don’t get enough sleep and what you can do to add comfort.

“Your future depends on your dreams, so go to sleep.” these are wise words from Mesut Barazany. You can’t move forward in life and achieve your dreams if you don’t get enough sleep. A few late nights every now and then are fine, but when you are not getting enough sleep regularly, you are not living your best life.

Researchers say adults need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep every day to function optimally. Children and teenagers need even more sleep to function and grow. Do you know what happens when you don’t get enough sleep?

Let’s take a look at some of the effects of not getting enough sleep every night.

1. You will get sick. Your immune system takes a knock when you don’t get enough sleep which means you will get sicker easier.
2. Your heart will take strain. When you are not sleeping enough, you will be at risk of developing heart disease.
3. You will become forgetful. Sleep is vital to processing new information if you do not give your brain the time to process this information, you will find you become more and more forgetful.
4. Diminished libido. Sex drive in both men and women is reduced when they get less than 5 hours of sleep a night on an ongoing basis.
5. Your skin will feel it. When you don’t sleep enough, wrinkles and fine lines are more visible and your skin may even become uneven in color.

There could be many reasons you are not getting enough sleep including stress, anxiety, illness, pregnancy or it could be as simple as you sleeping on the wrong pillow. When your sleeping environment is not optimal you will find yourself tossing and turning while you try to find that perfect position. It could be because your pillow is too lumpy or too hard or it is making you too hot. Whatever the reasons are for your lack of sleep, you want to try to solve them so you can get your 7-9 hours in.

If it is your pillow that is reducing the quality of sleep you are getting, you might want to consider changing your pillow to one that is going to provide you with comfort and support all night long.

The Top 7 Pillows for Comfort While You Sleep

We reviewed 7 pillows and discuss their pros and cons and who they are recommended for.

1. Elite Rest Ultra Slim Memory Foam Pillow

Pros:

• This is an ultra-thin memory foam filled pillow with ergonomic edges.
• It provides maximum comfort.
• It has a 100% cotton cover that is removable.
• It aligns your spin and improves breathing
• Alleviates neck pain

Cons:

• Pillow is very soft.
• Price is quite high
• Not very firm

Best for:

• Stomach and back sleepers
• Arm under pillow sleepers

2. Puredown Natural Goose Down Pillow

Pros:

• Luxurious pillow
• 95% Grey Goose Feathers and 5% Grey Goose Down
• Hypoallergenic.
• Not too firm, not too hard.
• Good value for money

Cons:

• Might not offer enough support if you have chronic pain
• Feathers might poke out.
• Reviewers reported this being a very flat pillow.

Best for:

• Side and back sleepers
• Stomach sleepers

3. Beckham Hotel Gel Pillow

Pros:

• Plush gel fiber used for cooling and comfort.
• Provides maximum support to your head, neck, and spine.
• Made with no-shift construction
• Luxurious pillow
• Machine washable

Cons:

• Pillow is very soft.
• Pillow may flatten easily.
• Not ideal if you have neck or shoulder plain

Best for:

• Side and back sleepers

4. ViscoSoft Memory Foam Pillow

Pros:

• Cooling gel and COOLMAX fabric.
• Pressure-sensitive memory foam.
• Memory foam conforms to your body.
• Moisture-wicking breathable cover
• Provides tailored support to alleviate neck pain.

Cons:

• Some people found the pillow is too soft.
• Pillow may have an initial unpleasant odor

Best for:

• Side and back sleepers.
• Stomach sleepers

5. Mediflow Fiber Water Pillow

Pros:

• Clinically proven technology used to prevent neck pain
• It is an adjustable pillow.
• Superior material used, water pouch encased in 100% cotton shell.
• Comes with a 3-year warranty

Cons:

• Not completely mold resistant.
• It is an expensive pillow

Best for:

• Side, stomach and back sleepers

6. Wondersleep Premium Memory Foam Pillow

Pros:

• Adjustable pillow by adding or removing the foam filling.
• Provides neck and shoulder support
• Customized sleeping experience.
• Premium quality memory foam is used

Cons:

• Pillow may have a strong odor.
• It can be too firm and fluffy.

Best for:

• Side, stomach and back sleepers

7. Coop Adjustable Pillow

Pros:

• Adjustable pillow with a mix of memory foam and microfiber.
• It provides both support and comfort.
• Luxurious fabric used on the cover.
• The foam is CertiPUR-US and GREENGUARD Gold certified

Cons:

• This pillow does have a strong chemical odor.
• Reviewers did report that it didn’t help with chronic neck pain.
• Expensive pillow

Best for:

• Stomach, back, and sleepers

If you are trying to improve the comfort levels of your sleep, you need to make sure you are sleeping on a comfortable pillow. Pillows that are filled with memory foam filling are great options when it comes to comfortable pillows but some people prefer the luxury of feather pillows. Sleeping positions also play a part in the quality of the sleep you are getting and if you are tall or have wider shoulders you might need to look for pillows that don’t just come in standard sizes.