Yes, we can afford to replace our worn-out pillows.

The Big Man and I have been using the same crummy pillows for years. I think I’m using the same one I took to law school, and his pillow looks as least as old.

I was so accustomed to these pillows that I never gave them any thought. With enough thumping and bunching, they were comfortable enough.

But when we went to Kansas City for Christmas, zoikes, I felt the difference. The pillows on our bed in my parents’ apartment were so perfectly squishy, with just the right amount of firmness, that I got a shock of pleasure each time I lay down. Obviously, we’ve been in other beds—in hotels, in other people’s houses—but for some reason, I’d never before focused on the pillow experience.

On our second night in luxury, when the Big Man leaned over to give me a kiss good-night, I said, “I was thinking that we should buy some new pillows. What do you think?”

“Yes! Absolutely! Our pillows are terrible,” he answered.

“Why didn’t you say something before?”

“I don’t know. But let’s get some new ones.”

This was the perfect job for the internet. I looked for a tag on the pillows for the brand, went to the website, and ordered. Task completed. They should arrive soon.

One of my resolutions is to “indulge in a modest splurge,” and I think having good pillows is a good use of money.

Pillows don’t play a large role in my consciousness, but there they are, for better or worse, night after night. Constant small delights are an important component of happiness; the trick is to avoid “hedonic adaptation,” that is, not to adapt to the improvement so that the pleasure no longer registers. Or worse, become spoiled so that I toss and turn if I don’t have exactly the right cushion for my head.

So every night, I vow, I will take a moment to think, “Aah, what a delightful pillow!” as I sink into bliss.

We’ll see how long I can keep that up.

Comments

[joyce]

I am very fussy about my pillow and I always travel with my own pillow. I left it in a hotel on our last trip so I made a new one from an old down coat from the thrift shop. Did you know that feathers are completely washable? To me there is no greater luxury than the perfect, soft, downy pillow. And, yes, I am spoiled. I may search for another old jacket and make myself a spare.

[Jeff O'Hara]

I actually can't sleep when I get new pillows. I prefer old hard pillows, my wife gets new pillows and I get her old ones, it works out perfect :)

[Sharyn]

I've had a good mattress set,with a cushion-topped pad, for years, which I still don't have a "hedonic adaptation" for. You spend one-third of your life in bed, so the mattress, sheets, pillows, and bedding should bring you delight and comfort. Almost every night when I snuggle into bed, and very much so after I've been away from home for even just one night, I'm grateful for my cozy nest!

[Jude]

I've purchased new pillows for everyone in the family over the past ten years, but I always liked to sleep with barely anything under my head--this was probably related to the weird ways I have to sleep because of my scoliosis. A few years ago, however, I developed the annoying habit of choking when I eat or drink. I can choke on water, and I always choke on rice. My older brother said that this problem runs in the family, and he recommended that I elevate my head more at night. Elevating my head means elevating all of my upper body because of my bad back. So I purchased eight pillows--four hard, four soft. The hard ones support the softer ones. The choking problem has abated and I like sleeping on all those pillows.

[Mad William Flint]

My best Christmas present this year was a few pillows :-)

I knew I didn't like mine, but the chain reaction of how they affect my comfort level -> hours and quality of sleep -> my mood the next day -> my productivity in work was pretty enlightening.

[Mind Mart]

I have many pillows because I'm on an endless trek for the perfect one. Does it exist? Lately I've been buying the cheapest ones I can find because the expensive ones are just as dissatisfying.

[Paul Tailor]

Jude-

Not to put a damper on the pillow pile, but it sounds like you suffer from GERDs (gastro espohagal reflux disorder). The recommended way to elevate your head properly is to raise the head-end of the bed, so the whole mattress is tilted, about 4 - 6 inches. This will allow you to stay flat while keeping reflux down. At first you feel like you're falling off the bed. Once you get used to it, when you sleep elsewhere, you feel like you're upside down! But it's very effective.

[David St Lawrence]

Now that you have discovered that your pillows needed updating, I suggest you look into replacing your top sheet, blankets, etc. with a down comforter with a egyptian cotton duvet cover. If you want to increase your happiness another notch, this is a way to do it withpout breaking your budget.

It is like sleeping under a warm cloud and there is no weight on your toes! They are not tucked in. They float on top of you and keep you warm even when you thrash about.

I discovered these comforters several years ago and we have converted all of our beds to these luxurious comforters. During the day, you can throw a bedspread over them if you wish. This will keep your cats from burrowing under them and snoozing. :)

[Michael]

Not exactly about pillows, but....

Three people separately told me in recent weeks that constructively dealing with sleep apnea changed their lives more than ANYTHING. (Sleep apnea being the condition whereby you stop breathing while sleeping, jolt awake, and thereby suffer from interrupted sleep.) It can be managed by using a small breathing machine at night.

They advised that anyone who snores should consider looking into this, particularly if they also have a pattern of depression (presumably related to poor sleeping.)

[Sandy]

I used to use two pillows until my husband introduced me to Tempur pillows when I moved to Sweden. Oh, my gosh... I take mine with me almost everytime I travel. Haven't had a stiff neck since I started using one. http://www.tempurcanada.com/en/pillows/neck_pillows.php

Oh, and I second the duvet idea.

[Monica Ricci]

Jude, I'm with Paul. If I have a cold or some other respiratory thing going on, I sleep with my upper body elevated and it helps it move out much quicker. But piling pillows isn't the best (or most comfortable way). Besides elevating the head of the bed, you could also get a wedge pillow. This way, your entire upper body would be on a slight incline, rather than just your head. Good luck. And Gretchen, now *I* want new pillows! Ours are horrid.

[Jo]

I'll have to get my husband to read this - our chiropractor suggests these great water filled pillows called Chiroflow. I would get one straight away but my man is into waiting for any sort of gratification... something we should sort out hey?