4 things you need to know to find the right pillow

You spend almost one-third of your life sleeping. It's important to find a pillow that will let you rest while also providing support for your head, neck and spine.

Natural pillows are made of down or feathers. Two other natural pillows are buckwheat pillows, made from the husks of buckwheat, and latex pillows, made from rubber trees.

• Natural pillows conform to your head and neck and offer more comfort and softness. Although there are allergy-free natural pillows, allergy sufferers may still have a reaction.
• Down pillows and latex are expensive, but buckwheat pillows cost less.

Synthetic pillows are very inexpensive, and most synthetic pillows are made of polyester and are hypoallergenic.

• They do not, however, conform to your head or neck. The polyester cluster is another type of synthetic pillow. The clusters are coated with silicone to allow them to act like down pillows and conform to the head and neck.

Foam pillows are made of pieces of foam and are inexpensive.

• Memory foam pillows conform to the head and neck, and offer more support due to their denseness.

If you  sleep on your side or stomach

If you sleep on your side or stomach, a natural fill pillow is a good choice because of its softness.

• Stomach sleepers will find that the softness of natural pillows prevents their necks from getting into uncomfortable positions as they sleep.
• Side sleepers can benefit from a memory foam pillow. Another option is the body pillow. These pillows fit the contours of your body. They are good for side sleepers and pregnant women.

If your sleep on your back

Memory foam pillows are best for people who sleep on their backs. This is also a good choice if you prefer to sleep on a firm pillow.

If you suffer from allergies

Polyester cluster pillows are a good choice for allergy sufferers who want the softness of a down pillow.

Bed pillows come in three main sizes: standard, queen and king. The European pillow is often used as bed decoration. Many pillows are also available in soft, medium or firm options.

The first pillow you buy can be based on the above guidelines. However, the only way to find the best pillow for your needs is by trial and error.

• As with a mattress, you need about a week to determine if a pillow is for you. If you do not like the pillow, you may be able to get a refund or exchange it for another type you'd like to try.

When it comes to choosing a pillow, your sleeping position, comfort preferences and budget are all factors that come into play. You can improve the quality of your sleep with the right pillow at the top of your mattress.