Did you know that pillows have a long history? Pillows were a privilege enjoyed by the wealthy in ancient times. Theyve been found in Egyptian tombs and were elevated to an art form in China. With the Industrial Revolution, the pillow found its way into the common mans home, and today, they account for 11% of all bedding sales.

What is a pillow made of? The pillow today could be made of foam, feathers, down, or synthetic fillers. This is encased in cloth which is sewed down, and each point is called a nib. The roundness of the crest is called the poof point. This goes into a pillowcase which sometimes has a zipper or buttons so it can be removed and laundered from time to time.

Pillows are meant to support the neck and head. It should not be too high or too firm in which case, you might end up with lower back pain. Then again, if it is too flat, you might just get a pain in the neck! So it is important that your pillow is just right for you and follows the natural curve of your neck.

There are so many kinds of pillows available today. Body pillows, which are very long, give support to the head down to the knees and legs. Travel pillows with their unique U shape fit around the head and prevent slipping. Neck pillows, also called cervical pillows have a depression for the neck to keep it aligned well. There are donut pillows designed to alleviate trouble with the tailbone, lumbar pillows for the lower back, nursing pillows for infants and even husband pillows to relax against on your couch.

Pillows usually come in two conventional sizes Oxford, which is 20x30,or continental, which is 26x26. And they could cost anything from $5 to $40! Just remember, pillows are great at collecting dust and microbes and could be harmful to the allergy-prone. So not getting too attached to your pillow and changing it often is the sensible thing to do.