A pain in the neck. Literally. That is what I deal with after flying in airplanes and sleeping in hotel rooms and trusting those fluffy pillows that look comfortable but somehow feel like sacks of mashed potatoes by morning.
As it turns out, I am not alone. During conversations with others, I keep hearing the same phrase: “I miss my own pillow.”
There it is, the adult version of a child clinging to a favorite teddy bear. We might pretend we are rugged travelers, but deep down, most of us just want our own pillow. Jolene and I have officially reached that stage of life. When we travel by car, we pack our own pillows. Years ago, I saw older people carrying pillows into hotels and thought, “I will never do that.” Well, here I am, marching through the lobby with a pillow tucked under my arm, looking like I am checking into a weeklong nap camp. The older I get, the less I care. Comfort beats cool every single time.
According to Sleep Junkie, nine out of 10 people say a comfortable pillow is an important part of getting a good night’s sleep. About 70% believe their pillow has a major impact on how well they sleep. Apparently, we have become a nation emotionally attached to stuffed rectangles.
Then there is the question of quantity. About 31% of people sleep with two pillows. More than 13% use three. Even more surprising, 27% pile up four pillows. Four? At that point, you are not sleeping. You are constructing a fort.
I fall into the two-pillow camp. I know the experts say one pillow is often better for neck alignment, but every time I try sleeping with just one, I spend the night rearranging it like I am solving a geometry problem.
Eventually, though, even the best pillow gives up. The Sleep Foundation recommends replacing pillows every one to two years to keep them supportive, clean and free of allergens. Polyester pillows may last only about a year, while latex pillows can survive closer to three years. Like so many purchases, quality usually costs more up front but lasts longer.
So perhaps my sore neck is not from the hotel bed after all. Maybe it is my pillow waving a little white flag. If that is the case, it may be time to go shopping. And if you happen to see me walking into a hotel carrying my own pillow, do not laugh. You will be doing the same thing soon enough.
Have a terrific Tuesday, and thanks for reading.
Shane Goodman
Editor and Publisher
Times Vedette digital newsletter
shane@gctimesnews.com
641-332-2707