Pillows are our faithful sleeping partners, no matter what kind of sleeper you are, stomach, back or side sleeper, pillows will adjust according to your needs. Pillows come in various sizes, shapes, weight, and material. Here is the Best cooling pillows guide only for you.
Some people will feel comfortable with a thin and firm pillow, while some with soft pillows; and the list goes on.
These days’ pillows are being used to relieve various aches and pains. They not only help in improving a person’s mobility but also add energy to the day to day life.
There are different types of therapeutic pillows available in the market these days, such as:
- Lumbar support pillows
- Pregnancy pillows
- Body pillows
- Contour pillows
- Cooling pillows

Best cooling pillows along with their pros, cons, and features.
Classic Brands Reversible Cool Gel and Memory Foam Pillow, Standard
Classic Brands Reversible Cool Gel and Memory Foam Pillow, as the name says provides the dual function of cooling on the cooling gel side. Whereas, the memory foam pillow on the other side gives the comfort of a firm regular pillow.
The memory side will make the contour of the neck, supporting and relaxing the stretched muscles. The softer side allows the head to be placed firmly and allows positioning of the head and the neck.
The cooling gel side disperses the heat gently and the memory foam side helps in reducing the pressure points. The cooling gel dissipates heat.

Features
- The dual-sided pillow is good option for all types of sleepers
- The side of the memory foam pillow allows positioning of your neck and shoulders. It is good for cooler nights.
- It decreases pressure points
- Cooling gel side of the pillow can be used on a summer night, to have cool and pleasant sleep
- It has a 5-inch loft
- Has hypoallergenic mesh knit
- Breathable pillow
- Machine washable
- Unsuitable for people who use high pillows
- It is little stiff
Coop Home Goods – PREMIUM Adjustable Loft – Shredded Hypoallergenic CertiPUR Memory Foam Pillow with washable removable cooling bamboo-derived rayon cover – Queen
Coop Home Goods premium foam pillow is composed of 60% Polyester and 40% Rayon Derived from Bamboo. This natural cooling pillow works by giving aeration to the pillow. It also prevents sweating.
This CertiPUR-US certified memory foam pillow is an adjustable pillow. The shredded visco-elastic composition allows proper alignment of the fiber to give you a comfortable sleep.

Features:
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- The product is certified by CertiPUR-US
- The memory foam can be added or removed based on your requirement and comfort table
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- Machine washable
- Dust mite resistant
- Good for people who are sensitive to synthetic products
- There is no flattening of the pillow
- It is free of harmful chemicals and volatile organic compounds
- The pillow will give a strong petrol-like odor which goes-off with time
- It is not a good choice for people who want a firmer pillow
Snuggle-Pedic Ultra-Luxury Bamboo Shredded Memory Foam Pillow Combination With Adjustable Fit and Zipper Removable Kool-Flow Breathable Cooling Hypoallergenic Pillow Cover (Standard)
This another Ultra-Luxury Bamboo Shredded Memory Foam Pillow from Snuggle-Pedic is composed of 43% Viscose of Bamboo, 56 % Polyester, and 0.6 % Lycra. This composition helps the pillow retain and regain its shape immediately after each use or move.
The product comes in a zipper bag which allows adding and removing the fillers to get the desired level of thickness and also the firmness. The shredding prevents clubbing of the pillow contents to masses.
This is an eco-friendly product which is tested and certified by Biogreen® and CertiPUR-US. It is a safe pillow without any harmful chemicals and allergens. It provides good support and comfort to the head and neck region.

Features:
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- It contours the shape of the spine, hence giving a proper shape
- The shredded foam mix doesn’t allow the pillow to get flattened
- The shredded foam mix can be adjusted to get the required support, firmness, weight, and buoyancy. This makes it a pillow of choice for any type of sleeper.
- The proper filling helps snorers by allowing proper passage of airway
- Hypo-allergenic product
- Free of dust mite
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- Machine washable
- Dust mite resistant
- Good for people who are sensitive to synthetic products
- There is no flattening of the pillow
- It is free of harmful chemicals and volatile organic compounds
- The pillow will give a strong petrol-like odor which goes-off with time
- It is not a good choice for people who want a firmer pillow
Sleep Restoration Gel Pillow – (2 Pack Queen) Best Hotel Quality Comfortable & Plush Cooling Gel Fiber-Filled Pillow – Dust Mite Resistant
These ultra-plus cooling pillows are made of gel fibers and are hypo-allergenic in nature. The gel fibers are crafted such that it allows cradling your head on the pillow giving you the best comfort and relieving you from any aches and pains.
The gel fibers prevent heat retention from the body as well as from the surroundings. They are resistant to fungal colonies. They are very much safe as they are not composed of any allergenic compounds and harmful chemicals.
The pillow retains its shape quickly after each movement. It comes with a cotton cover, which increases its breathability. The pillows come as a flattened cushion but after opening, they turn out to fluff and get into their actual size.

Features:
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- Micro-Denier Poly Fiber Gel Filling Patented design
- No-shift technology
- It is resistant to mold, mild dews, and dust mites
- It is resistant to stains and retains its new look always
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- Machine washable
- Super Plush
- Gel fiber
- Hypo-allergenic
- Good option for back and stomach sleepers
- It is not suitable for side sleepers
- The volume of gel fiber may not be sufficient
- It cannot be machine washed and has to be given for dry cleaning
Perfect Cloud Dual Option Cooling-Gel Memory Foam Pillow – Sleep Easy, Wake Up Rested with A Supportive and Cooling Pillow
This pillow offers the advantage of dual faces, one with the cooling gel surface and the other with a regular high-quality memory foam.
The Perfect Cloud Dual Option Cooling-Gel Pillow is designed such that it fits into the head and neck anatomy and provides good support.
Air Comfort Gel Memory Foam helps in reducing the pressure points and relaxing the muscles. The pillow can be flipped according to your requirement. This pillow acts by dual action of the cooling gel which may get warm with time and the aerated memory foam which helps in heat dispersal and also moisture retention.

Features:
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- It comfortably holds the neck when changing positions and provides support throughout the night
- Air Comfort Gel Memory Foam reduces muscle stiffness and relaxes the neck region
- Hypo-allergenic
- Dust mite resistant
- Dual option of a cooling pillow and a traditional pillow
- The pillow is aerated with the ventilation holes
- Gusset sides
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- Breathable
- Free of allergens, good option even for sensitive individuals
- Provides great comfort
- Soothes sore muscles
- Both the gel and the memory foam portions are soft
- It offers better cooling effect due to gel
- You cannot machine wash this pillow
- You can expect strong odor which can last for few days
- The gel side of the pillow will soften with time, you have to be patient with it
Snuggle-Pedic Ultra-Luxury Bamboo Shredded Memory Foam Pillow Combination (King)
This luxury pillow is composed of 43% of bamboo, 56% polyester, and 6% Lycra. The composed microfilm helps to prevent clumping of the pillow contents; at the same time helps to keep your pillow cool even in the warmest temperatures.
The shredded foam gives you the advantage of shaping the pillow as per your needs and it also maximizes the airflow through the pillow. And hence it never flattens and retains its shape throughout its life.
It is composed of a safe and high-quality material in a zippered pack. The quantity of material in a pillow can be adjusted depending upon the requirement. It is indicated in people suffering from orthopedic and head and neck problems.
You will soon get used to this pillow and it will become your favorite sleeping partner in no time.

Features:
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- 43% of bamboo, 56% polyester, and 6% Lycra
- Kool-Flow technology with micro-vented fibers
- Bio-green & CertiPUR-US Certified
- It is free of harmful chemicals and volatile compounds and doesn’t harm indoor air quality
- This natural cooling pillow works by improving aeration. It doesn’t lose its cooling effect with temperature.
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- The pillow never flattens
- Machine washable
- Adjustable contents of the pillow
- Eco-friendly product
- Suitable for all types of sleepers
- Can be used by pregnant women
- It is available in 3 sizes
- Some people might find the pillow to be firm
- The packed product may emit some odor. It will take some time to adjust with the pillow and you will find yourself adjusting to it by end of the trial period.
Coop Home Goods – THE EDEN PILLOW – Ultra Tech Cover with Gusset – ADJUSTABLE Fill features cooling and hypoallergenic gel-infused memory foam with fiberfill
The inside of the pillow is composed of 40% rayon, which is obtained from bamboo and 60% of polyester. The bamboo filling helps in keeping the pillow cool. Polyester allows easy breathability and prevents sweating and moisture.
The fiber-fill is hypoallergenic; CertiPUR-US certified memory foam product is free of harmful chemicals and retardants. The ergonomic gusseted design allows maximum support to the neck and prevents neck and back pains.
The fiber-fill doesn’t move towards the corner of the pillow. The pillows are shred-free, as they are composed of Eden memory foam, which is mixed with polyesters, which inhibit clumping of the pillow contents and gives the pillow even comfort and feel.
The pillow comes with an interesting and useful feature of zippered outer and inner covers. You can add or remove the fill as per your requirement of pillow height.

Features:
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- Gusseted design
- Hypoallergenic gel infused memory foam
- It provides the correct density to get the desired softness and firmness at the same time
- It is free of harmful chemicals and retardants
- CertiPUR-US certified
- The pillows are durable and comfort is guaranteed
- The pillow shape can be adjusted depending upon your requirement
- The pillow is cooler with the help of bamboo-derived viscose rayon fabric
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- The pillows are available in different sizes, shapes, and weight to adjust according to your needs
- Washable pillows
- Shred-free
- Free of harmful chemicals
- Easy maintenance
- It is a good choice for people suffering from allergies
- Adjustable memory foam
- It gives a smell of strong chemicals. The odor makes it difficult to sleep
Xtreme Comforts – Slim Hypoallergenic Bamboo Shredded CertiPUR Memory Foam Pillow with Super Soft Kool-Flow Micro-Vented Dust Mite Resistant Machine Washable Bamboo Cover
Xtreme Comforts are for people who sleep on their stomach. It is a shredded memory foam pillow composed of CertiPUR-US certified foam.
These foam pillows are free-of ozone depleters, TCEP flame retardants, TDCPP, PBDEs, lead, mercury, and heavy metals, formaldehyde, phthalates regulated by the CPSC, or CFCs. This is a safe and healthy foam pillow even for pregnant women.
It is hypoallergenic and dust and mite resistant. This pillow is ideal for all types of pillows. The shredded memory foam gives a smooth finish and prevents any lumps in the pillow. It helps in relieving back, neck and orthopedic problems.
This bamboo cover soft pillow allows easy flow of air across the pillow through its micro-vents and keeps the pillow cool.

Features:
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- The pillow is covered with a bamboo; Kool-Flow Bamboo keeps the pillow cool
- The contour shapes align the cervical nerves giving you a deep sleep
- It is safe from harmful chemicals
- Hypoallergenic
- Dust mite resistant
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- Slim
- Micro-vented
- No lumps in the pillow
- It comes in good shape, size, and design which fits in your neck
- The pillow seems to be useful in treating neck pain, snoring, tingling sensation, migraines etc.
- Safe for pregnant women
- Machine washable
- This is not for people who like high pillows
Cooling Gel Memory Foam Pillow – eliminates neck and back pain, ensuring a good night’s sleep
Your regular pillow may stress your nerves and may cause pain. This is a U-neck designed pillow which contours neck with its memory foam giving you a comfort and relaxed sleep. This pillow offers 100% satisfaction to the customers.
The pillow provides the softness like that of a normal pillow and the effect like that of a therapeutic pillow. It is filled with 60D memory foam that gives you the desired fitness to place and contours your neck.
This ergonomically designed and differently shaped pillow gives support to the head, neck, and shoulders. The cooling gel of the pillows prevents sweating.
This pillow is good even for sensitive people as it is hypoallergenic and is resistant to dust mite. An improper shaping of the neck might give you aches and pain. It is a pillow of choice for people who have neck and back pains.

Features:
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- 60D memory foam
- Cooling gels help you stay cool throughout
- Contour design of head, neck, and shoulders
- U-neck design removes heat from the pillow
- Hypoallergenic
- Resistant to dust mite
- It is a good choice for people who sleep one-sided
- Softness of normal pillow and firmness of a cooling pillow
- Prevents heat accumulation and gives you a cool good night sleep
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- The pillow maintains the shape of your body with a U-neck design
- High-density foam
- Because of gassing, you can expect smell even from the pillow cover
- It can be a little firm
- Gel will be there only on one-side
- The pillow can be thin for you
Memory Foam Contour Gel-Topped Pillow by FOMI Care | Orthopedic Comfort Design for Neck Support and Herniated Disc Pain Relief | Cervical Pillow for Stomach / Side Sleeper | Ergonomic | Cooling
The pillow has an ergonomic shape which allows your head and neck to be placed comfortably on the pillow. The pillows give you a long and comfortable sleep after a tiring day.
A good night’s sleep gives you a good day and keeps the person active. You can increase the FoMI pillow length as well. This pillow comes at a height of 4 inches. You can comfortably sleep on this cooling pillow with a regular pillow beneath it.
The amazing cooling gel technology prevents sweating while sleeping. The flat platform shape gives cooling and prevents sweating even on a warm day. The ergonomic design relieves aches and pains in the neck.
This pillow is a good choice for all types of sleepers whether it is back or stomach sleeper.
This cooling pillow equation is:
Cooling GEL for a warm night + premium quality memory foam which provides support to the neck and shoulder + the ergonomic design with neck contour that helps you in placing the head comfortably+ the pillow forms cradle for the head + a flat heavy bottom platform allows stacking of pillows to desired height = A tight good night sleep which gives you a bright day ahead.

Features:
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- Orthopedic Comfort Design for Neck Support
- Herniated Disc Pain Relief
- Cervical Pillow for Stomach / Side Sleeper
- Ergonomic
- Cooling
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- The flat bottom allows stacking of pillows to the desired length
- Cooling gel technology prevents sweating
- Contour neck allows good positioning of neck
- Chemical off-gassing
- Foam density prevents aeration and provides easy breathability of the pillow
What are cooling pillows?
These pillows are a boon for people who cannot withstand the coolest temperature of the air-conditioned room and also high electricity bill of AC.
These are like normal pillows which can be placed below your neck to absorb the heat from your head, neck and shoulder region.
There are different types of cooling pillows:
Water-based cooling pillow
These pillows absorb heat by the process of conduction, living a cool pleasant feel in the warm temperature conditions. The heat gets dispersed by the water of the cooling pillow.
The water-based pillows contain a thin layer of polyester foam which absorbs water and prevents the water sliding to some extent. You just have to open the valve, fill in the water and keep it aside for some time. The water gets into a gel-like consistency.
People usually insert this water filled pillow into a regular latex shredded pillow, so that it is held firmly in one place and also gives you the advantage of a regular pillow. The water-based pillows take the shape of the contour and provide support.
These pillows are easy to wash as well. You can wash the pillow in the machine or by hand and air dry it. But before you hand wash or machine wash it, remember to remove the polyester foam material pouch.
Disadvantages:
- Water may leak
- The pillow gets heated up after a certain period of time
- The water pillow may remain uneven after draining of water and you may have to refill the foam to get the desired texture
- The trapped air inside the pillow may create sounds which can be skipped by removing air
- It is not a good option for light sleepers
- It is heavier in weight
Gel-based cooling pillow
The outer layer of the pillow is filled with a cooling gel material which keeps the pillow cool and helps in combatting the heat. The gel-based cooling pillow contains gel on one side and the other side is composed of fabric to give the firmness and softness.
The extent of cooling depends on the gel quality. The gel absorbs heat from your body. These pillows offer support to head and neck region. These pillows contain memory foam on the other side.
This dense foam material inhibits aeration of pillows hence prevents evaporation of sweat and moisture. Also, the generated heat in the pillow cannot escape.
The major drawback of these pillows is that they give a strong smell which may reduce after keeping it in the air for some time. The smell is because of off-gassing of volatile organic compounds.
Disadvantages:
- Again, these pillows temperature may rise after certain period of time
- Memory may decrease the breathability
- They have a strong odor of petrochemical kind. This odor of the pillow will make you question its safety
- You have to hand wash these pillows and dry it as usual
Natural Ingredient Cooling pillows
These types’ pillows are mostly composed of materials such as bamboo or buckwheat. The concept here is the aeration of the pillows.
These pillows do not absorb any heat but they allow airflow which helps in evaporation of sweat and moisture, and the warm air doesn’t get built-up in the pillow. This gives a pleasant cooling effect and hence content sleep.
Breathable pillows seem to be the best option as they don’t get heat up; instead, it distributes the heat generated into the surroundings.
Buckwheat cooling pillow contains processed husk and gives a firm support. This type of pillow is not soft. This pillow doesn’t allow you to machine wash this product as the husk may get damaged.
They reduce unnecessary stress onto the neck muscles and the weight is uniformly distributed all over the pillow. These pillows keep you cool and don’t tend to retain heat.
Soft bamboo is used in making cooling pillows; they even allow you to contour with the use of memory foam, allowing you to make an ergonomic pillow. You can hand wash as well as machine wash this product
The natural ingredients of buckwheat and Bamboo pillows are hypoallergenic in nature, which means it is a good option for people who suffer from allergies from synthetic materials.
You can assume this product to be much safer than the other available options.
PCM based cooling pillow
PCM stands for phase change material. The PCM has the property of absorbing and releasing heat. These pillows are a combination of PCM and the memory foam. They have the unique property of absorbing heat in hot conditions and releasing heat in cold conditions.
PCM pillows have the property of changing its state from solid to liquid and vice versa, depending upon the action required. This concept seems to be quite interesting.
This PCM technology was first developed and tested by NASA. This PCM in conjunction with memory foam increases the breathability of the pillow. The memory foam has a number holes inside which increases its breathability and hence was effective in evaporating moisture.
These pillows seem to be more effective than the gel-based cooling pillows. The most important factor for PCM which makes its superior to gel-based pillows is that it doesn’t smell.
These pillows are squishy and the memory foam inside the pillow was not dense adding to the aeration. PCM based cooling pillows should not be machine washed. It is to be hand washed and air dried.
What are the materials to be considered apart from cooling agents in a cooling pillow?
Apart from the cooling agent which can be water, gel, phase changing material, buckwheat or bamboo, it can be composed of memory foam and gel fiber.
Memory foam
It is an integral part of many of the pillows. Depending upon the foam density; the pillow breathability and the cooling effectiveness will vary.
Loose dense foam provides better breathability and the pillow will be squishy. The high-density foam will have less breathability and will be stiffer.
The memory foams can be designed such that it contours with the neck region providing support and relaxing the stretched muscles. It is prescribed by orthopedics to have contour pillows to relieve aches and pains.
They can be heavy and not suitable for stomach sleepers. The shredded memory foam contains polyester which prevents clubbing of the foam to form solid structures giving an easy support to your neck.
The shredded foam is less dense hence lighter in weight. The new memory foam pillows will have an odor, which goes off in about 72 hours of opening.
The main disadvantage with shredded memory foam is that it is not firm to give a contour shape and support to your neck.
Gel Fiber
Certain cooling pillows also contain gel fibers which are more plush and fluffy than the memory foam. They are superior to memory foam in terms of breathability and hence the cooling effect. They are easy to wash and are more comfortable.
Ideal properties of a cooling pillow
- It should be hypoallergenic
- Should be resistant to dust mites
- Breathable
- Should have adjustable foam
- Should be shredded and avoid clumping of the pillow material
- Should be lighter in weight
- Hand and machine washable
- Should not smell
- Contour
- Ergonomic design
- Should not get heated up with temperature or time
- Should be reusable
- free-of ozone depletes, TCEP flame retardants, TDCPP, PBDEs, lead, mercury, and heavy metals, formaldehyde, phthalates regulated by the CPSC, or CFCs and other harmful volatile organic compounds
- cooling pillows should be durable and last longer
Disadvantages of a cooling pillow
- They may not be an economical option in comparison to traditional ones
- The pillows may give smell of petrochemicals
- Some pillows may be heavier in weight, making it inconvenient for the frequently moving sleepers
- Some people may be allergic to components of the pillow
- Most of these pillows are to be hand-washed
- Shredded pillows need to be fluffed regularly to prevent clubbing
- These pillows are not easily available in comparison to the traditional ones
- The pillows may not be able to hold the head comfortably adding further to aches and pains
Why should we buy a cooling pillow?
Sleep is an important aspect of a healthy human life. Incomplete and disturbed sleep leaves you irritated and uncomfortable. Having a peaceful sleep reduces anxiety and stress and gives a good start to the day.
According to a study by American Academy of sleep, the cooling of the prefrontal cortex of the brain helps you in getting a sound sleep. In such cases, cooling pillows can be a good option.
These pillows are economical when compared to buying an AC or running an AC which adds to your electricity bill. It is a good choice for people living in hot climatic conditions where these cooling or breathable pillows reduce the pillow heat giving a pleasant cooling effect.
They give you an interrupted sleep for long hours without making you feel hot and run around for water in the middle of the night. Just flip on the cooling gel side of the pillow and have a relaxed sleep.
They come in different sizes and shapes, you even have the option to add or remove the filling to get the desired pillow height.
The hypoallergenic cooling pillows are the most desired once for sensitive people who cannot withstand synthetic pillows. Most of the pillows are safe and are free of harmful chemicals and volatile organic compounds.
Use the shape which best suits you, maybe gusseted (Coop Home Goods – THE EDEN PILLOW), classic, U-neck (Cooling Gel Memory Foam Pillow) or more.
Let us see the different types of sleepers and the type of pillow they need:
Back sleeper or stomach sleeper
The best suitable pillow for these people is a thin and medium firm pillow.
For side sleepers
These types of sleepers need firm heightened pillows, as it gives support to the cervical region.
Back and side sleepers
These types of sleepers need contoured ergonomically designed pillows that match with the shape of your neck. This is particularly important in people suffering from aches and pains of the neck, shoulder, and back.
These pillows help in resting your head firmly on the pillow maintaining the posture throughout the sleep. They help in relieving pressure points and stressed cervical muscles.
Do we have sizes in cooling pillows?
Yes, just like the normal pillows, cooling pillows also come in different sizes.
Standard Cooling Pillow
This is the most commonly available and used shape. A typical standard cooling pillow will have a dimension of 20W” x 26L”. They are the most economical cooling pillows.
Queen Cooling Pillow
The size of this pillow is 20W” x 30L”. It is larger than the standard pillow and can be used by the frequently moving sleepers or the frequent position changers.
King Size Cooling Pillow
As the name says, they are larger in both width and length and it is not the choice of every individual.
The size of which is 20W” x 36L”. These pillows can be placed anywhere like on the back, or as your regular head pillow.
Specialty Cooling Pillow
These pillows are contour shaped pillows that can take up different shapes.
So, this was all about the cooling pillows, their different types, shapes, sizes, advantages, disadvantages, and all the other important information.
Conclusion
Cooling gel pillows are a boon for people living in hot temperature conditions. These pillows dissipate heat by preventing heat absorption or by the aeration of the pillows.
You have a wide range of option of size and shape of cooling pillows to select and make use of the best suitable one. Even the memory foam filling can be customized as per needs.
The cooling pillows come with a dual action of cooling gel on one side and the other with the desired density memory foam. You also have the option of bamboo and buckwheat cooling pillows for people who are sensitive to synthetic products.
Select the best pillow according to your needs and have a peaceful sleep!