Sleep matters

Posted by Liz on May 1, 2009 in sleep disturbance | 0 comments

There’s no question that sleep during the menopausal transition can be difficult. Indeed, two studies published last year in the July 1 issue of the Sleep journal confirm that sleep complaints (e.g., difficulty falling and staying asleep) are related to declining and fluctuating hormone levels and symptoms such as hot flashes. What’s more, they tend to increase through the menopause transition.

I written previous posts outlining certain positive steps you can take to combat sleep disruption, including herbs, yoga, acupuncture and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Much to my chagrin, however, I’ve realized that I’ve ignored one of the most obvious – your pillow. Mind you, your pillow is not going to address estrogen decline, hot flashes or night sweats. But if you have a lousy pillow, well, you’re already facing a losing battle.

So, where am I going with this, you ask?

I was recently asked to review* two Tempur-Pedic® pillows:

• The Neck Pillow by Tempur-Pedic®
• The Comfort Pillow by Tempur-Pedic®

For those of you who are unfamiliar, Tempur® is a material that was originally used by NASA scientists to relieve the G-force of space travel.  The Swedes then stepped in and perfected the material for sleep purposes, utilizing what they characterize as a “variable balance of pressure relieving and therapeutic support” layers. The material has also been engineered to respond to small changes in body temperature so that it conforms to the body.

Personally, I’ve never been attracted to the Tempur-Pedic® mattresses but I know many friends who swear by them. The pillows? That’s another story.

As someone who has experienced back issues her entire life, and neck and shoulder issues as a result of spending hours a day in front of the computer, well, a good pillow makes a huge difference in my life. In fact, I’ve never hesitated to invest in a good mattress, decent sheets and a nice pillow.

So what do I think about the Tempur-Pedic® pillows?

The Neck Pillow is a great pillow. It does everything that the Tempur® material claims it will do, from contouring to your neck and shoulders, to relieving pressure and allowing your spine to stay in proper alignment.

I tried the company’s  standard size but I also own a small travel size that I bring with me whenever I’m away from home. Frankly, I never leave home without it.

What’s more, compared to other memory foam pillows that I’ve used (and I’ve used plenty), it maintains its integrity and continues to outlast the competition. While it certainly did not prevent me from awakening during my 4 am witching hour,  I truly believe that since I’ve been using the pillow, I’ve had less trouble falling back asleep, mainly because I’ve been comfortable. In so far as temperature goes, I remain unconvinced that the pillow is cooler than other pillows for purposes of night sweats, per se. The material is not wicking so it’s not been constructed to repel moisture. Yet, the few nights that I had the sweats, I did not notice that the pillow retained any odor or remained damp. I love this pillow. Period.

I don’t feel as positive about the Comfort Pillow. I don’t know whether or not it’s just me but I find the Comfort Pillow to be anything but comfortable. In fact, despite several attempts to sleep on it, I tossed and turned and finally moved onto the neck pillow. So, what problems did I have?

I did not find that the Comfort Pillow molds to the head as easily as the Neck Pillow does. In fact, it barely contours as all (wouldn’t this seem to be impossible since it is constructed of the same Tempur® material as the other pillow)? It’s too heavy and cumbersome. And while it looks great and is obviously well-constructed, it is not for me. Ironically, I asked my partner, who is a tall and well-built, to try the pillow out and he felt the same. So, it’s not a size thing. Yet, he knows people who love the Comfort Pillow as much as I love the Neck Pillow. Go figure!

My main take-away is that good sleep hygiene matters. If you don’t like the pillow (or sheets for that matter)  that you’re sleeping on, your sleep is going to be lousy regardless of the degree of havoc that hormones are wreaking on your body.  Along with the other positive steps you can take, I believe that a good pillow is worth the investment.

What do you think? When it comes to sleep, what matters?

*Disclaimer: I was not paid to write this review. However, I agreed to try out the pillows because I feel that the topic is relevant. I’d love to hear your thoughts.