The Importance of Sleep
It’s interesting to think about how we spend almost a third of our lives sleeping. For an activity that consumes such a large portion of our life, we should be paying more attention to how we can maximize our sleep benefits.
Furthermore, not sleeping well can come with various nasty signs. Numerous studies show that those who suffer from low-quality sleep are not able to function as well during the day and can suffer from serious negative health risks. Health risks can range from heart problems, memory issues, difficulty concentrating, and even depression. What makes matters worse, is low-quality sleep is often tied to stress and irregular life habits. Both of which can be caused by low-quality sleep. The result is a person stuck in a cycle of wanting to improve their sleep but being unable to because they’re exhausted from lack of rest in the first place.
That was me. Getting to sleep has always been difficult, but knowing the true scope of how terrible lack of sleep was prompted me to take action right away. It was after really understanding the importance of great sleep that I began testing out the top of the line products for myself. I changed out my bed frame, my mattress, my pillows, and everything in between. There were some mattresses that I preferred over others, and weighted blankets were better than unweighted. However, I noticed a huge improvement in my quality of sleep after trying out the Purple Harmony Pillow. Although I did feel an improvement in my sleep from other products that I tried, the Purple Harmony Pillow impressed me with their results.
It impressed me so much that I’ll be detailing just how amazing this product is for the rest of this post.
The Purple Harmony Pillow
As I was finding the best products to improve my sleep, I was eager to check out the latest addition to the line dubbed Purple Harmony. Although I was a little cautious about the price tag, I thought to myself, “If this product doesn’t amaze me, I’ll just return it and try a different pillow.” In short, the Purple Harmony Pillow was never put back into the shipping box, and I have used it ever since.
In this review, I’ll explain why the $160 was worth it and why I think the Purple Harmony Pillow is one of the best purchases I have made this year.
A Little Information About Myself and My Sleep History and Habits
Personally, I’ve always had a bit of trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. This problem persisted as I got older, and has gotten worse. Before i made this purple harmony pillow review, I’ve rarely slept through the night because I constantly having to adjust my pillows for various reasons that range from back pain to neck pain. I also have a sneaking suspicion that if I had bought the Purple Harmony Pillow earlier, my back and neck may be in much better shape. Unfortunately, I only found out about this product recently and sufficed with an assortment of random off-brand pillows that I bought for a good price.
Over the years this has resulted in a ton of random pillows and mattresses that I have cycled through, each providing a small amount of comfort but costing a large amount of cash. At one point, I even bought several pillows from different brands and piled on top of each other in the effort to get the support I need.
Combining two or three pillows in different configurations every night was frustrating and tedious, and this effect would create awkward positions when my head wasn’t in the right position because they didn’t offer proper support. My aching neck, back, and shoulders persisted. If I happened to create a nice and comfortable pillow arrangement, my tossing and turning throughout the night would mess it up and I’d wake up to the pillows on the floor and my body aching from the lack of support.
My constant aching body was becoming a normal and daily experience and I was getting fed up.
Hitting Rock Bottom and Then Taking the Plunge
To be honest, I was both literally and figuratively tired of waking up every few hours just to toss, turn and adjust pillows because of the painful tension and muscle aches. I don’t think I have ever spent more than $10 or $15 on a pillow. I think it’s safe to say that no one is excited to invest money in a pillow. Not only that, the Purple Harmony was asking for $160 for a single pillow. The price made me hesitate, but I had to admit, the company backs their products. They offer a 100-night guarantee, free shipping and returns, and a one-year warranty for every pillow purchased. When companies seem that confident in their product and eager to make their customers satisfied and happy, it gave me that little push I needed to follow through on the purchase. I figured I could effectively determine if this pillow was life changing in 100 nights. I was at my wits end. I had hit rock bottom. I was tired of flopping and moving and switching and fussing with my pile of pillows. My bed was crowded with pillows, despite owning a full-size bed and being the only person sleeping in it (apart from my dog, occasionally). This was not the type of pillow party I wanted.
Skeptical at first but wanting to stay open-minded, I purchased the Purple Harmony Pillow. This was my last hope. I was excited to see if my prayers would be answered, and thankfully, it came in the mail in no time at all.
When I opened the package, I was glad it didn’t have any sort of foul smell when I first used it. Some pillows and mattresses retain a strange smell when first purchased and must be aired out and left alone for several days. I once received a pillow with such a foul smell, that the comfort of the pillow was the least of my worries. I wanted great sleep and I wanted it as soon as possible so I was glad I could test out the pillow as soon as I got it.
When I brought my Purple Harmony pillow home and laid on it to test it out, I woke up 45 minutes later. This has never happened to me before. I would categorize myself as a light sleeper. I wake up to any sort of noises such as a door closing or my roommates talking. I sleep with wax earplugs every night to block out as much noise as possible but still frequently awaken to any sort of activity going on in my home. When people say they hit the pillow and are out like a light, I couldn’t relate to what they are talking about. So to be able to put my head down on the pillow, without earplugs, and have such an instantaneous and deep sleep was one of the most pleasant things I have ever experienced. Is this what heavy sleepers feel like?
When I woke up, I literally stayed in my bed laying on my Purple Harmony Pillow for 30 minutes because it was so comfortable. I felt like I could look forward to sleeping again. It truly seemed as though this pillow was perfectly molded for my head and designed specifically for me.
It was still daytime, so I couldn’t just hit the hay and call it a night. As I continued about my day, I was literally itching to get home and try out a full night with my newfound sleeping aide. Usually, I get ready for bed and lie there awake until my brain finally decides to quiet down and let me sleep. Settling in for bed and falling asleep was always a daunting task that seemed to take forever. But not tonight. I got home, inhaled my dinner, brushed my teeth and put on my pajamas. Feeling giddy, I came out of the bathroom ready for my visit to dreamland only to find my golden retriever had her head on it and was fast asleep. The pillow is dog approved.
Side note: I’m not sure if I would pay another $160 just so my dog can have her own Purple Harmony Pillow, but she is free to use it when I’m not home.
What Makes the Purple Harmony Pillow Unique?
You may be wondering, how it’s possible that a pillow can improve sleep by leaps and bounds. I did too. I did a bit of research and found a few possible explanations as to why and how The Purple Company was able to solve my sleepless nights.
History of The Purple Company
The Purple company sells mattresses, pillows, bedding, bed frames, and other bed accessories, many of which possess patented cushion technology. They even have dog beds! These Purple products were designed by two brothers named Tony and Terry Pearce. One was a rocket scientist and the other was a comfort tech genius. After creating the world’s lightest-weight cushioning fluid, becoming the world’s premier source of cushioning technology and creating the world’s best mattress, it only made sense that they made the best pillow in the world.
Purple Grid TM Hex
The Purple Harmony Pillow is the only pillow in the world with Purple Grid TM Hex. It supports correct spine alignment and adheres to your unique shape. This patented pillow design is made up of a blend of polyester, nylon and spandex mesh that adds an extra layer of soft, yet strong textured support. If you are familiar with Purple’s other original purple pillows, then you will recognize similarities between the different versions; however, unlike its predecessors, the Purple Harmony Pillow is traditionally shaped and can be encompassed in any pillowcase. This Purple Harmony pillow will be your favorite bedtime accessory with or without pillow cases. However, I do suggest using a pillow case because that may help prolong the longevity of the product. This new comfort technology is a great option for those looking for something different than memory foam in the pillow market.
In fact, I prefer The Purple Company’s product to memory foam. This is because memory foam pillows lack the extra support for your shoulders and neck when sleeping and often lose shape over time. This Purple Harmony Pillow review will show you that it doesn’t lose shape throughout the night or throughout the years of use. In the several months that it has had with me, it has continued to maintain shape and support throughout its use and it’s showing no signs of slowing down. The durable and non-toxic proprietary material contributes to this surprising pillow resilience. It will always bounce back. Pillow shape and support means everything to me and because of this, I was able to sleep through the night like a baby. For the first time since I can remember, I didn’t’ have to continue to shift and turn in my bed. I’m able to wake up just as comfortable as I was when I fell asleep. It honestly felt like the pillow was adjusting and configuring to my head.
Hyper-Elastic Polymer
Anyways, more about the uniqueness of the Purple Harmony Pillow: Underneath this fabric and combined with the Grid is a thin layer of Hyper-Elastic Polymer (HEP). If you have a Purple mattress or an original Purple Pillow, you are probably already familiar with the concept of HEP. For those of you who have not heard of HEP before, HEP creates the soft firmness the pillow holds. This texture ensures comfortability that never loses shape. It is made to hold long-lasting durability and add extra bounce that aids in the protection necessary for joints that typically receive extra pressure when sleeping. Using this shape retention technology, Purple Harmony Pillow is able to provide constant support and comfort from the minute you fall asleep to the minute you wake up. The feel and texture of the pillow contribute to the comfort levels. It is unlike any pillow I have ever experienced.
According to the Purple company, The Deluxe Hex Grid is a unique addition to their pillow design specifically for head support. The hexagonal grid design is a soft fabric that is breathable through its many air channels (over 1500!), which are designed to deliver continuous airflow and a high degree of sensitivity to temperature changes in your skin to dissipate body heat. The pillow is contained in a moisture-wicking mesh cover so all of you sweaty sleepers out there (myself included), can rest assured knowing your pillow will be providing you with extra breathable, stretchy, and cooling comfort. This pillow is a godsend for sweaty and hot sleepers. I can confirm that the pillow stays very cool throughout the night as advertised. No need to turn over your pillow to the cool side. You will always be on the cool side so long as you are on any side.
The grid that comes in all of Purple’s newest products creates a soft, squishy feel that adds both comfort and support that never loses shape. It is also hypoallergenic to assist in reducing any dust allergies and bedtime respiratory issues many of us have with typical pillows and pillowcases.
Dimensions of The Pillow
The Purple Harmony Pillow in standard size weighs 4.5 pounds and measures to the dimensions of 26″ x 17″ x 6.5″. It ships in a box that is roughly the same size (26″ x 15″ x 6″). The tall size weighs 5.4 pounds with dimensions 28″ x 17″ x 7.5″ and ships in a 26″ x 15″ x 6″ box. But no need to worry if your pillow will come in the mail all misshapen, the structure will always correct itself. Whenever I have an especially rough night of sleeping, my pillow will bounce back to its original shape almost immediately.
The pillow comes in two heights: Standard (6.5″) and Tall (7.5″). They are offered at the same price. I have the Tall size that aids proper spine alignment as I sleep due to being a side sleeper with broad shoulders. Stomach sleepers are recommended to go standard in size. If you have a smaller build, the standard may be right for you.
Even with all of these crazy pillow features, the Purple Harmony Pillow washes just like any other pillow: covers are machine washed in cold water and laid flat to dry. This pillow comes with all of the perks and none of the high maintenance!
The Conclusion
Is it worth it? If you couldn’t tell yet, I love my Purple Harmony Pillow. It offers tremendous support and feels comfortable no matter how I lay on it. Tossing and turning is a thing of the past. When my head hits the pillow, I estimate I’ll be asleep in 10 minutes or less. My neck, shoulder, and back pain have drastically decreased to the point where I wake up without any aches. I have put all of my other pillows in my closet and I don’t plan on ever looking back.
Everyone has their pillow preference in soft or firmness to size and material. Factors that can contribute to an individual’s pillow preference include the size of your head, the way you sleep, or your preferred posture while sleeping. Purple Harmony claims that their pillow will suit all sleepers (stomach, side, and back). I can only attest to myself, but I can tell you that the Purple Harmony Pillow has truly benefited my quality of sleep.
The Purple company also offers a discount to students, first responders (law enforcement, EMTs, paramedics, firefighters, and other US emergency personnel), and military members (active military, veterans, retirees, spouses, and dependents). Members of these groups must be verified to be eligible, and verification takes no time at all. It’s great that the Purple company supports the sleep of some of our country’s best.
Do not wait another sleepless night. $160 isn’t that much when considering the great benefits experienced by using the Purple Harmony pillow. Think of it as an investment in yourself and your sleep. If you don’t like it, you can get a full refund. Waiting one more night is one night too long. Do not delay. This Purple Harmony Pillow review may be the answer to your sleeping problems. Sweet dreams!