Posts Tagged ‘goose down pillows’
Finding the Perfect Feather Pillow
By Mary Donlan
Have you decided that you would like to try sleeping on a feather pillow? Maybe you recently slept on one at a friend’s house or a hotel and now you’re hooked? Well, there are a lot of choices out there. To find the perfect pillow it’s a good idea to know some of the key factors involved. The highest quality feather pillows are those made from goose down. Geese provide the softest, most resilient feathers. Goose down pillows will also be the most expensive on the market, but can last for years if you take care of them. Less expensive pillows will be stuffed with duck down or a blend of duck and goose down.
Some shops will advertise that their down feathers come from geese in Canada, Hungary or Siberia; where the winters are coldest and the down is the warmest! Gooses down feathers do not have quills to poke through the casing as other types of feathers do. They rarely give off any type of odor and can be fluffed up so that your pillow retains its loftiness even after years of use. Hypoallergenic down pillows are also available for people who are allergic to feathers.
The next factor to consider is the firmness of your pillow. If you prefer a firmer pillow, you will want to look for a feather pillow with a fill power of 700 to 800. If your idea of the perfect pillow is a little softer, then you can get away with purchasing a pillow with a lower fill power.
You want to look for a pillow with a high quality encasing. The pillows with coverings that have a higher thread count will be better protected over the years. Lower quality pillows may have issues with feathers coming out or seams breaking after extended use. To extend the life of any feather pillow, it’s a good idea to use a pillow protector as well as a pillowcase. Once you’ve made a few decisions you are ready to begin your quest for the perfect pillow. You can find many options at department stores, shops specializing in down products and of course, online. Good luck!
Relieving Morning Neck Pain
Whether from heavy lifting, exercise, previous injury, or just sleeping crooked, millions of Americans wake up with sore necks in the morning. Luckily there are several methods to relieve your neck pain; the simplest being just rolling your neck, stretching it out, and taking a hot shower. More complex changes might include consulting a chiropractor who might be able to fix your neck through massage and offer exercises that will help to relieve future pain. You might also consider changing pillows or mattresses; a goose down pillow contours to the shape of your head and offers a great deal more support than a standard stuffed pillow. Modern spring mattresses can still be rough on people with sensitive joints or muscles, and a foam mattress might offer better support.
In addition to these changes, there are of course medicinal supplements like Tylenol or Aspirin that can help to relieve your pain… but who wants to start the day off by taking pain relievers? Strive for a more long term solution!
Winter Bedding Checklist
As winter approaches, we need to check that we have everything we need for a cozy warm bed. This checklist will help make the freezing cold nights comfortable.
Down Or Alternative Comforters
Down comforters are very fluffy and luxurious and comfortable. If you don’t have one consider buying one as it is essential for a good night slept. The good down comforter can be expensive. There are affordable prices out there that are well worth the comfort and warmth.
Down is the coating that protects the birds from the cold outside elements. This is what is used for warm comforters and pillows. The higher the fill, the warmer the comforter. 600 or more is considered warm enough for fall and winter nights.
People with allergies might prefer down alternative comforters made from polyester fibers provides insulation that is good as down.
Flannel and Bamboo Sheets
Flannel sheets in the winter months give people a feeling of snugness and safety during freezing winter nights. Flannel sheets are made from a blend of wool and cotton.
Bamboo sheets are more recent and offer an eco-friendly alternative to flannel and traditional sheets. Bamboo is very smooth with a natural sheen to the surface and feels like silk or cashmere. Bamboo fabric adjusts to the temperature of our bodies and is more absorbent than cotton.
Down or Down Alternative Pillows
For that cozy, warm winter night sleep our last choice is a comfortable down pillow. Pillows like comforters are also available in alternative down pillows for those with allergies or just looking for less expensive options. Down filling molds to your head and neck providing support where needed. A down pillow will provide the right support for any body shape. The filling breathes easily and will last for many years with the correct care.
Hope you have warm cozy winter nights after checking out my winter bedding checklist.
Winning the Battle with Insomnia
Insomnia is a chronic disorder that shouldn’t be taken lightly. From my own experience, I know that the inability to sleep well through the night can disrupt mood, work performance and even one’s social life. For years I lived life in a blur – sluggish and only half awake during any given point of the day. Needless to say, this is no way to live. No matter which medical professional I turned to, the recommendations were always the same: prescription drugs.
I’ve always been wary about habit-forming substances, so that solution didn’t seem viable. Instead, I started exploring holistic medicine and aromatherapy. Each night I would inhale lavender oils from a diffuser, and the aroma would soothe me. Still, it wasn’t until I traded in my lumpy old excuse for a pillow that I noticed a real difference. Who would have thought that upgrading to goose down pillows could bring me the slumber and satisfaction I’d been missing?