Having a hot flash? Or maybe it really is hot in here! Either way a new book takes a look at the latest cache of Cool Pillows . Find out what really works to keep you cool this summer! - By Colette Bouchez
If you thought those heating bills were a strain this winter, experts say we're in for an even greater sticker shock this summer, when those AC electric bills come pouring in!
In fact, with utilities going up nationwide, some predict it's going to be tough keeping cool and paying the mortgage this summer!
If this also happens to be your season of hot flashes and night sweats … well take it from me, you definitely can get into some legal trouble for running naked through the sprinkler system at 2:00 am. And in case you're wondering, menopause is definitely not considered a type of insanity plea ( although I can't see why not! ):)
But the good news is that whether it's hot flashes or night sweats turning up your personal thermostat, you can cut down on those AC bills without having to wear your kids flameproof PJs to bed. The answer : A cache of new pillows designed to keep you cool at night.
Based on a variety of technologies – from cool fibers that literally pull heat from your head, to water chilled inserts designed to lower body temperature, to new types of
“cool foam " that prevent your pillow from holding body heat - at least some of these offings can make a huge difference, particularly when it comes to keeping cool at night.
That said, not every “cool pillow” out there works equally as well – and for some relief may be minimal to none. Indeed, I've found that what you get depends a lot on what you expect – not to mention hot how your hot flash really is!
But to help you decide what might be worth a try, here's a look at the four most popular cool pillows on the market today –what they promise, what they deliver , and what you can expect!
Cool Pillow # 1 : THE CHILLOW
Approximate Cost: $30.00 - $40.00
Size: 21”L -- 13.5”W -- approx 1/2" D with water added
Weight: About 5.5 pounds filled.
The Promise: Using a proprietary technology known as “SmoothSoft” a Chillow is said to combine certain properties of thermodynamics (the science of heat and energy) to pull warmth from your head and release it into the air. This continual releasing of heat allows the Chillow insert to remain cool to the touch at all times.
The Reality: If you’re looking for the icy-cold feel of a snowball against your skin, this isn’t it. In fact, even the maker of The Chillow asserts that the goal of the insert is not to remain super cool all the time, but rather to react with your body temperature, cooling you down only when you need it. So, at the start of the night, when your metabolism is still revved from a day of activity, your head will be hotter- and the Chillow will be cooler. As you approach morning, however, and your body temperature has naturally cooled during the night, the Chillow will be substantially less cool to the touch. So, if somewhere around dawn you get a night sweat, the Chillow is not going to get cold again. In this respect it may be most useful for those who need the most cooling when falling asleep.
Cool Pillow # 2: IsoCool™
Approximate Cost: $25-$29.00
Size: Standard, Queen, King, 3” thick.
Weight: 3 to 4 pounds depending on size
The Promise: Because this pillow acts as a kind of temperature sensor, if you’re too warm the pillow absorbs heat so you feel cooler; if you’re cold, it releases heat and feels warm to the touch. Since IsoCool™ products feature the highest available concentration of micro beads, they claim to be the most effective in this category of pillows – as well as the most comfortable. They're also available in two fills: A spiral-spun polyester and a Viscose-elastic foam.
The Reality: I tried the foam version and found that it did feel cool to the touch. That said, it did warm up relatively quickly – it still remained cooler than most foam pillows but definitely warmer than when I first laid down. That said, if you're looking for an icy blast in the middle of a blazing hot flash, this isn't the pillow for you. Plus the foam version I tried had a very strong "foam odor" so if that bothers you opt for the polyester version.
Cool Pillow # 3: HOT FLASH FRIDGE PILLOW
Approximate Cost: $9.95
Weight – About 4 pounds fully inflated
Size: 11 x 9
The Promise: These pillows are designed to feel cool , even after you are burning up! And while they arrive flat, weighing only a few ounces, once soaked in water, they grow cold and inflate to about 6 inches thick. The outside fabric dries super quickly – and if you wipe it off with a towel it’s dry in less than one minute. But because it’s the crystals inside that absorb the water and hold it, the pillow stays constantly cool. For an extra punch of icy coolness, you can refrigerate the inflated pillow for about a half hour.
The Reality: It's not the most comfortable pillow you'll ever sleep on - equal to a very firm throw pillow - but if it's cool you're looking for, cool you will get! This pillow works - and it stays cool through the night! I’ve also found that if you soak it for less time, it doesn’t inflate as much –so it is softer - One caveat: You can’t wash these pillows with any kind of soap. If soap comes in contact with the crystals (and it can permeate the fabric) it can lead to a skin irritation. But if you simply place it in a pillow case, you shouldn’t have any problems keeping it clean.
Cool Pillow # 4: Cool Thing Pocket Square
Approximate Cost: $14.00- 28.00
Size: 11 x 16
Weight – About 2 pounds
The Promise: This product isn't technically a pillow at all, but rather a thin “pocket square” that, like the Fridge Pillow, contains a type of crystal material that inflates when it's soaked in water . This one, however, gets so cold it stays cold for up to several days. No kidding! It also needs no refrigeration and can be refreshed anytime by simply dipping it in cold water.
The Reality: While it's not a pillow you would use for comfort, ( too thin) I've found that it works wonders when tucked inside a pillow case on top of your own pillow – as a kind of layer of cool next to your face and head. Out of all the “cool pillows” I tried, this one remained cold the longest – pretty much through the night. You can also wash this one in soapy water and it won't harm the crystals.
For more information on these products including where to find them visit RedDressDiary.com.
This blog was excerpted from Colette Bouchez's new book : " The Hot Flash Solution"
You might also be interested in reading:
Eat This And Reduce Hot Flashes
Is the OPRAH EFFECT Good For Women's Health?
In fact, with utilities going up nationwide, some predict it's going to be tough keeping cool and paying the mortgage this summer!
If this also happens to be your season of hot flashes and night sweats … well take it from me, you definitely can get into some legal trouble for running naked through the sprinkler system at 2:00 am. And in case you're wondering, menopause is definitely not considered a type of insanity plea ( although I can't see why not! ):)
But the good news is that whether it's hot flashes or night sweats turning up your personal thermostat, you can cut down on those AC bills without having to wear your kids flameproof PJs to bed. The answer : A cache of new pillows designed to keep you cool at night.
Based on a variety of technologies – from cool fibers that literally pull heat from your head, to water chilled inserts designed to lower body temperature, to new types of
“cool foam " that prevent your pillow from holding body heat - at least some of these offings can make a huge difference, particularly when it comes to keeping cool at night.
That said, not every “cool pillow” out there works equally as well – and for some relief may be minimal to none. Indeed, I've found that what you get depends a lot on what you expect – not to mention hot how your hot flash really is!
But to help you decide what might be worth a try, here's a look at the four most popular cool pillows on the market today –what they promise, what they deliver , and what you can expect!
Cool Pillow # 1 : THE CHILLOW
Approximate Cost: $30.00 - $40.00
Size: 21”L -- 13.5”W -- approx 1/2" D with water added
Weight: About 5.5 pounds filled.
The Promise: Using a proprietary technology known as “SmoothSoft” a Chillow is said to combine certain properties of thermodynamics (the science of heat and energy) to pull warmth from your head and release it into the air. This continual releasing of heat allows the Chillow insert to remain cool to the touch at all times.
The Reality: If you’re looking for the icy-cold feel of a snowball against your skin, this isn’t it. In fact, even the maker of The Chillow asserts that the goal of the insert is not to remain super cool all the time, but rather to react with your body temperature, cooling you down only when you need it. So, at the start of the night, when your metabolism is still revved from a day of activity, your head will be hotter- and the Chillow will be cooler. As you approach morning, however, and your body temperature has naturally cooled during the night, the Chillow will be substantially less cool to the touch. So, if somewhere around dawn you get a night sweat, the Chillow is not going to get cold again. In this respect it may be most useful for those who need the most cooling when falling asleep.
Cool Pillow # 2: IsoCool™
Approximate Cost: $25-$29.00
Size: Standard, Queen, King, 3” thick.
Weight: 3 to 4 pounds depending on size
The Promise: Because this pillow acts as a kind of temperature sensor, if you’re too warm the pillow absorbs heat so you feel cooler; if you’re cold, it releases heat and feels warm to the touch. Since IsoCool™ products feature the highest available concentration of micro beads, they claim to be the most effective in this category of pillows – as well as the most comfortable. They're also available in two fills: A spiral-spun polyester and a Viscose-elastic foam.
The Reality: I tried the foam version and found that it did feel cool to the touch. That said, it did warm up relatively quickly – it still remained cooler than most foam pillows but definitely warmer than when I first laid down. That said, if you're looking for an icy blast in the middle of a blazing hot flash, this isn't the pillow for you. Plus the foam version I tried had a very strong "foam odor" so if that bothers you opt for the polyester version.
Cool Pillow # 3: HOT FLASH FRIDGE PILLOW
Approximate Cost: $9.95
Weight – About 4 pounds fully inflated
Size: 11 x 9
The Promise: These pillows are designed to feel cool , even after you are burning up! And while they arrive flat, weighing only a few ounces, once soaked in water, they grow cold and inflate to about 6 inches thick. The outside fabric dries super quickly – and if you wipe it off with a towel it’s dry in less than one minute. But because it’s the crystals inside that absorb the water and hold it, the pillow stays constantly cool. For an extra punch of icy coolness, you can refrigerate the inflated pillow for about a half hour.
The Reality: It's not the most comfortable pillow you'll ever sleep on - equal to a very firm throw pillow - but if it's cool you're looking for, cool you will get! This pillow works - and it stays cool through the night! I’ve also found that if you soak it for less time, it doesn’t inflate as much –so it is softer - One caveat: You can’t wash these pillows with any kind of soap. If soap comes in contact with the crystals (and it can permeate the fabric) it can lead to a skin irritation. But if you simply place it in a pillow case, you shouldn’t have any problems keeping it clean.
Cool Pillow # 4: Cool Thing Pocket Square
Approximate Cost: $14.00- 28.00
Size: 11 x 16
Weight – About 2 pounds
The Promise: This product isn't technically a pillow at all, but rather a thin “pocket square” that, like the Fridge Pillow, contains a type of crystal material that inflates when it's soaked in water . This one, however, gets so cold it stays cold for up to several days. No kidding! It also needs no refrigeration and can be refreshed anytime by simply dipping it in cold water.
The Reality: While it's not a pillow you would use for comfort, ( too thin) I've found that it works wonders when tucked inside a pillow case on top of your own pillow – as a kind of layer of cool next to your face and head. Out of all the “cool pillows” I tried, this one remained cold the longest – pretty much through the night. You can also wash this one in soapy water and it won't harm the crystals.
For more information on these products including where to find them visit RedDressDiary.com.
This blog was excerpted from Colette Bouchez's new book : " The Hot Flash Solution"
You might also be interested in reading:
Eat This And Reduce Hot Flashes
Is the OPRAH EFFECT Good For Women's Health?
Copyright by Colette Bouchez 2009 - All Rights Reserved. In addition to US Copyright, the text of this RedDressDiary article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License. All formatting and style elements of this page are not available under this license, and Colette Bouchez retains all rights in those elements.
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Thanks for the reviews. I didn't know about cool pillows, I have just spent summers waking up every few hours and flipping the pillow. I will definitely have to try one out.
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