Travel pillows come in an assortment of shapes, sizes and styles. Travel neck pillows, for example, used when traveling on airplanes or in vehicles are useful for supporting the neck; however, they do not offer much support to your body. Some pillows are designed to allow your head to rest comfortably on them, while the longer part drapes across the front of your chest. Others are rectangular in shape, contoured to give support to both the neck and the rest of your head while you sleep.
They are also made from different materials. Many people prefer to use an inflatable travel pillow. These are especially helpful for those traveling by plane, when weight and oftentimes space in your luggage is an issue. Almost any style of travel pillow can inflatable. The more common inflatable pillows are the horseshoe shaped pillow. They can be inflated when it is time to rest on an airplane, bus or even while traveling in a car. Then, once the journey is over, they can be quickly deflated and stored in hand luggage.
Some inflatable pillows are much more comfortable than others. One thing that can be bothersome when trying to rest with a plastic pillow under your head is the heat that is generated. The heat can make you sweat and feel quite uncomfortable. One way to avoid this happening is to buy an inflatable pillow with a cover. These covers are usually made of some type of material that is both comfortable to sleep on and that absorbs extra sweat. If you cannot find one that has a cover, it is usually fairly easy to find a small sized pillowcase that can be used instead.
One more feature that can be very helpful is the ability to snap the pillow together at the front. This can help to keep the pillow firmly in place. You do need to be careful, of course, that it does not make it too restrictive or tight around the neck. You should also look for one that has a small tie with Velcro attached, as that way you can easily attach it to your carry-on bag handle while preparing to disembark, and saves you from having to quickly stow it in your luggage.
Another very nifty inflatable pillow that is perfect for traveling is the Skyrest travel pillow. Unlike other pillows that are placed behind you, this pillow is specifically designed to sit on your lap (or on your desk, if you need to take a power nap while working). As most people who have fallen asleep in their chair, or on a plane, know the natural tendency is for your head to flop forward rather than backwards. With this pillow resting in your lap, it is in the perfect position for when your head does suddenly loll forward. It will support it in a very natural position and hopefully provide you with enough comfort that you can rest easily for as long as you need to. It is inflatable, and when collapsed it folds up nicely so that it can easily be popped into your carry bag.
The memory foam travel pillow is another favorite amongst travelers. Often rectangular in shape with elevated, contoured side sections it also provides you with a great deal of support while sleeping. As heads will often naturally turn to the left or right once sleep hits you, the sides of these pillows will comfortably support your head without causing any undue strain on your neck, thus preventing the sometimes painful side effect of a stiff, sore neck. Memory foam is great because it is usually firm enough to be comfortable without being too hard. It also adjusts to any pressure put on it while you are resting, thus a slight shift in position will not cause you to suddenly wake up. Memory foam is denser than regular foam thus this pillow can tend to be a little heavier than most other travel pillows, and it is also more difficult to find a place for in your hand luggage. Some pillows come with a carry case that can be clipped to the handle of your luggage, making it much easier to take along with you when you travel. You can also find neck travel pillows made from memory foam, which are also fairly comfortable.
Everybody is unique in their taste and preference when it comes to travel pillows. What one person may enthusiastically claim as being the best and most comfortable pillow, another may find downright uncomfortable. It may take a little trial and error, and trying different brands and styles of pillows until you find what helps you to rest comfortably while you travel. However, once you have found the right pillow you will find that traveling becomes much more pleasant, and you will wake at your destination refreshed and ready for whatever is ahead of you.
