Choosing a pillow seems simple - until you wake up with a stiff neck, tension headache, or that dull ache between your shoulder blades. According to Rudo Kemp, Founder & CEO of Sloom, most South Africans are sleeping on the wrong pillow height, the wrong firmness, or a pillow that no longer supports them.
And the solution isn’t guesswork - it’s alignment.
The right pillow keeps your head, neck, and spine in a perfectly neutral line. The wrong one forces your muscles to work all night. This guide unpacks the most common signs of poor pillow support, the role of posture, and how the Sloom Adjustable Memory Foam Pillow solves these issues through precision comfort and long-term durability.
How to Match Your Pillow to Your Sleep Position
The goal is neutral alignment - not softness or “comfort” in the traditional sense.
Side Sleepers
You need a high-loft, firm pillow that fills the space between your shoulder and head. Anything too low tilts your neck downward and strains your spine.
Back Sleepers
A medium-loft pillow is best. Rudo notes, “The biggest mistake back sleepers make is going too high - it tucks the chin forward and puts tension on the neck.”
Stomach Sleepers
This position puts the most pressure on your neck. If you must, use a very thin, soft pillow (or none at all) to prevent your head from being forced backward.
Don’t Forget the Mattress
Your mattress plays just as important a role as your pillow.
- Soft mattress → your body sinks → you need a lower pillow
- Firm mattress → less sink → you need a higher pillow.
“They work as a team,” says Rudo. “A perfect pillow can’t save you from a bad mattress.”
Where the Sloom Adjustable Pillow Fits In
This is exactly why Rudo designed the Sloom Adjustable Memory Foam Pillow - to give sleepers the freedom to find their perfect height and support.
By adding or removing premium memory foam fill, you can fine-tune your pillow to match your mattress firmness and your sleep position.
No more stacking pillows.
No more guessing.
Just consistent alignment, every single night.
Common Problems Caused by the Wrong Pillow
Rudo sees the same issues repeatedly - and nearly all trace back to poor pillow height or worn-out materials:
- Morning neck stiffness
- Tension headaches
- Shoulder and upper back pain
- Pins-and-needles in the arms
- Waking up tired despite eight hours of sleep
“These aren’t random,” Rudo explains. “They’re mechanical problems - and the right pillow setup can fix them immediately.”
How Often Should You Replace Your Pillow?
Rudo is blunt: “A pillow is not décor. It’s a tool that breaks down with time.”
Signs you need a new one:
- It fails the fold test (doesn’t spring back).
- It’s flat, lumpy, or constantly being “punched” for support.
- You wake up stiff, sore, or restless.
- There are odours or discolouration from age and use.
Why the Sloom Adjustable Pillow Lasts Longer
Unlike cheap polyester or fibre-fill options, the Sloom Adjustable Memory Foam Pillow is built to perform for years.
Its high-density memory foam chips retain their structure and bounce - meaning they won’t collapse or clump over time. The pillow also promotes airflow for cooler nights and resists flattening, so you don’t need to replace it as often.
It’s quality that holds its shape - and your posture.
How Pillow Height and Sleep Posture Affect Your Spine
Your pillow and mattress work together as your nightly spinal recovery system. Get them right, and your muscles can relax. Get them wrong, and they work overtime keeping your neck aligned.
A correct pillow setup helps reduce:
- Neck and shoulder tension
- Upper back pain
- Jaw clenching and tension headaches
- Sleep apnea pressure (from a kinked airway)
- Morning stiffness and fatigue
For those with arthritis, herniated discs, or chronic back pain, the right pillow isn’t optional - it’s essential.
Red Flags Your Sleep Setup Is Working Against You
Morning signs:
- Neck stiffness that eases within an hour
- One-sided headaches
- Jaw tightness or blocked nose
During the night:
- Punching or folding your pillow
- Waking up hot or uncomfortable
- Rolling into a dip in your mattress
Posture clues:
- Side sleepers: neck angled up or down
- Back sleepers: chin tucked toward chest
- Stomach sleepers: neck pain on waking
If you reshape your pillow every night - you need adjustability.
“That’s why we created the Sloom Adjustable Memory Foam Pillow,” Rudo adds. “You can change the height until your neck and spine are truly relaxed.”
Your Bedroom Should Function Like a Sleep Sanctuary
According to Rudo, a restful environment amplifies the benefits of the right pillow.
Cool air (16–20°C): “Your body must cool slightly to fall into deep sleep.”
Darkness: “Even small light exposure can disrupt melatonin.”
Quiet: “If you can’t eliminate noise, mask it with a fan or white noise.”
And remember - your mattress matters. A sagging or indented mattress undermines pillow support and posture. If it dips more than 2–3 cm, it’s time to replace it.
Practical Sleep Advice for South Africans
Create a 30–60 minute wind-down routine each night.
- Keep screens and blue light out of the bedroom.
- Limit caffeine to before midday.
- Finish meals 2–3 hours before bed.
- Use breathable bedding and keep the room cool.
- Treat your pillow and mattress as health equipment, not décor.
- Try a 3-night alignment trial: adjust pillow height and note how you feel each morning.
Why the Sloom Adjustable Memory Foam Pillow Is the Ideal Solution
After years of helping South Africans improve their sleep posture, Rudo designed the Sloom Adjustable Memory Foam Pillow to solve the real issues - alignment, adaptability, and durability.
The Sloom Adjustable Pillow offers:
- Customisable height for all sleep positions
- Premium memory foam fill for lasting support
- Breathable, cooling design
- Easy fine-tuning for neutral spinal alignment
- Perfect pairing with the Sloom Modular Mattress
“It’s engineered to adapt to your body, your posture, and your mattress,” says Rudo. “It’s the pillow that finally keeps its promise - comfort that lasts.”
For anyone waking up stiff, sore, or fatigued, this pillow is an immediate and measurable upgrade.
Shop the Sloom Adjustable Memory Foam Pillow and experience better alignment, better rest, and a better you.