You are certainly not alone if you always wake up feeling hot and uneasy. Many suffer from overheating at night, which makes them restless all through the night and drowsy in the morning. Cooling pillows are specifically designed for this problem, which find some relief for hot sleepers.
The purpose of colling pillows is to regulate the temperature and allow airflow, which helps create a much more comfortable sleeping environment. They feature gels, fabrics, and breathable covers that regulate the temperature and allow you to sleep cool and comfortable overnight. Let us review how cooling pillows work and what benefits you could have on your sleep experience.
How Does a Cooling Pillow Work?
Over 40% of adults experience night sweats at some point, making it a common issue many face. This is one of the most frequent symptoms that menopausal women are affected by, as night sweats are reported in almost 75% of all cases. Several diseases cause night sweats, among which are hyperhidrosis, anxiety disorders, and infections.
It impacts millions of people worldwide. Night sweats can significantly disturb sleep quality, causing fatigue and other consequences for general health and well-being. Interestingly, men are less likely to experience night sweats than women, but those who do often face them due to hormonal changes or specific medical conditions.
Cool pillows are created to alleviate the discomfort from warm buildup while sleeping. They have numerous technologies and materials that help your body control temperatures. Most cooling pillows have gel-infused memory foam or breathable materials that improve airflow to increase evaporation. The gel absorbs more heat from your head and neck, making it cooler.
Other than heat control, other cooling pillows have moisture-wicking fabrics that attract sweat away from your skin to keep you dry and consequently dry. Most of them have holes for ventilation and even open-cell structures that ensure proper breathability.
This equates to a good night's sleep with your senses under control regarding temperature and humidity. The best cooling pillow to get rid of night sweats gives you the chance to feel refreshed after waking up, especially in the morning.
Types of Cooling Pillows
A cooling gel pillow soothes your skin based on the conduction principle. You know how cool water feels—heat transferring from your body to the water or gel very quickly cools your skin. Note that there are water-based orthopedic pillows; these aren't cooling pillows.
Pillows containing phase-change materials cool with some not-so-simple physics. They're a little harder to understand than the cooling effect of a bag of water. PCM materials absorb heat and also radiate it over to your body. Heat is absorbed when the PCMs change from liquid to solid.
A cooling memory foam pillow is breathable, allowing air to pass freely into the pillow's fill and preventing warm air from accumulating.
Who Can Use a Cooling Pillow?
Cooling pillows can benefit many people, making them a versatile choice for many sleepers. Here are some groups who can particularly benefit from using a cooling pillow:
Hot Sleepers: A cooling pillow is ideal for people who overheat at night or experience night sweats. It controls temperature and wicks away moisture.
Menopausal Women: This group of women typically experience a change in hormone levels with associated hot flashes and night sweats. A cooling pillow helps women find comfort during this transition.
Athletes: These athletes lead active lifestyles. The pillow can cool down the body after workouts, helping it recover better at night.
Sleep Disorder Patients: These are insomnia or sleep apnea patients. A cooler sleeping environment will increase the quality of their sleep at night.
Health Conditions: A cooling pillow will also comfort those who suffer from excessive sweating disorders such as hyperhidrosis or are on medications that raise the body temperature as a side effect.
Everyone Else: Even if you do not experience night sweats regularly, anyone who likes to sleep in a cooler environment can enjoy the comfort of a cooling pillow for a comfortable night's sleep.
How to Sleep with a Cooling Pillow?
Sleeping with a cooling pillow can enhance your comfort and help you achieve a better night’s rest. Here are some tips on how to make the most of your cooling pillow:
1. Choose Your Sleeping Posture
Cooling pillows are available in various shapes and sizes, accommodating all sleeping postures. A side sleeper should, therefore, choose a pillow that ensures adequate support for the neck and aligns the spine. People who sleep on their backs usually prefer a flat pillow for stomach sleepers, who should use a soft, low pillow to reduce tension in the neck.
2. Replace Your Pillowcase
Use cooling pillowcases made from breathable materials such as cotton or bamboo. This could improve your pillow's cooling ability and allow air to pass, keeping you comfortable at night.
3. Cleanliness
Wash your pillowcase regularly, and if the pillow is machine washable, follow the manufacturer's instructions for washing it. This ensures that the pillow will retain its cooling properties while maintaining hygiene.
4. Improve Your Sleep Environment
Make sure your bedroom is comfortable. A cooler room and a cooling pillow can improve your sleep.
5. Testing Placement
Some people get it right by putting the pillow's cooling side under their head and using the firmer side to support their neck. Don't be afraid to try until you find what's comfortable.
6. Using it with Other Cooling Beddings
You may consider using your cooling pillow with a mattress pad or breathable sheets for the ultimate comfort experience. That combination will amplify the cooling effect and make the environment during sleep more comfortable.
7. Let It Chill
You should try placing your cooling pillow in a cool place before bed or sometimes in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes. This can give it an extra refreshing effect when you lie down.
Final Thoughts
Many people complain about night sweats and overheating while sleeping. Cooling pillows are the perfect solution to these common complaints and will give you a more restful and comfortable sleeping environment. They possess many features, such as gel-infused materials, breathable fabrics, and moisture-wicking properties, which help improve the general quality of sleep.
The cooling pillows are versatile enough to be used by many, from the simply hot and menopausal women to athletes and people with some sleep disorders. With simple tips on how to use them properly- for example, selecting the right position to sleep comfortably- you will maximize the effects of these pillows for cooling. Investment in a cooling pillow can change your sleeping experience by waking you up fresher and more prepared to tackle the next day's challenges.
