A good night's sleep is worth its weight in gold. You wake up feeling fresh and ready to go, and you manage to remain alert throughout the day. That's the rosy picture, however. You could also wake up from an irregular sleep, feeling drowsy, grumpy and irritable. Worse, you could end up in physical pain, with a stiff neck.

And more often than not, you are likely to be in the latter group. And while you may try everything to get your beauty sleep, including deep breathing exercises, a warm glass of milk just before sleeping, or even aromatic candles – nothing seems to work. Here's another idea: think about the pillow you use.

It's a fact that not's acknowledged very often, but one size does not work for everybody when it comes to pillows. Some need hard pillows, some need fluffy pillows. Some need huge big pillows, some can actually do without pillows. Take some time out of your schedule, and go see your doctor about what might work best for you.

Choosing the right pillow isn't as frivolous as it may sound. How comfortable your neck is during those eight hours of sleep ultimately decides how comfortable your spine, and therefore your body, is during those same eight hours. And this pain can cause damage to both your neck and spine over time, damage that may eventually be well-nigh irreparable.

Some people prefer to sleep without a pillow altogether, letting their necks find a natural repose. Although this rather radical step is not advisable for everybody, do consider giving it a try if you are feeling uncomfortable with your current sleeping arrangement.

One thing that you should certainly keep in mind: avoid putting too great a strain on your neck. In other words, try and avoid using two pillows at once, or an arrangement that leaves your neck at too great an angle in relation to your body. Even if you are used to such a pattern, it can only lead to problems later on in your life.

It may seem like a small thing, but a pillow is a surprisingly important part of your life – do give the matter serious thought.