The sleep crisis in Germany: Why 75% of working people sleep poorly

More than 75% of all working people in Germany regularly suffer from physically caused sleep problems. Insurers like AOK, DAK, and TK warn: With lack of recovery, the number of sick leaves increases by up to 40%.


An unsuitable pillow can quickly lead to tension and pain.

Why side sleepers often wake up feeling exhausted:

An unsuitable pillow is often the main cause of morning tension. Our experts explain the 3 most common problem areas

  1. ❌  Problem 1: Shoulder-back compression
    When lying on the side, the shoulder presses into the mattress, lifts the upper body, and creates a pressure load of up to 23 kg on the spine between the shoulder blades and neck

  2. ❌ Problem 2: Lateral spinal curvature
    The spine should be aligned in a physiologically neutral position. A deviation of just 15° already leads to measurable muscle tension and circulation disorders.

  3. ❌ Problem 3: Suboptimal head position
    If the head is more than 5 cm too high or too low, the neck muscles are overstretched or compressed all night – this equals a continuous strain of 8 hours.
Finding the right pillow is complex, but successful with the right method. Many experts and orthopedists recommend a systematic approach.

Your material guide for the perfect side sleeper pillow 2025

  1. ✅ Next-generation memory foam
    Use only certified premium visco foams (e.g., BASF CosyPur Premium), they are tested and ensure long-lasting sleep comfort and ideal support
  2. ✅ Functional covers
    Thermoregulating fibers (e.g., Thermic, phase-change) Moisture management (e.g., Tencel or QuickDry)
    Antibacterial covers (activated charcoal)
  3. 🏆 Certifications & tests
    Oeko-Tex Standard 100 (Free from harmful substances)
    Stiftung Warentest rating "good or better" (Independent expert opinion)
aiLigner Pillow - Adjustable neck support pillow for restful sleep - Third of Life
The aiLigner Pillow from Third of Life is among the price-performance winners in the adjustable pillow category. 

It consists of high-quality BASF COSYPur visco foam with three removable layers for ideal adjustability

Testsieger.de (Grade 1.4) & Stiftung Warentest (Grade 2.2) show: Price-performance ratio is unbeatable. 

Which pillow height suits me? Your pillow formula

🛌 The mattress firmness rule

  • Firm mattress (H3-H4): Pillow height 10-13 cm
  • Medium mattress (H2): Pillow height 10-12 cm
  • Soft mattress (H1): Pillow height 8-10 cm

💪🏻 Body type index

  • Shoulder width >45 cm: Higher pillow (+2 cm)
  • Shoulder width <40 cm: Lower pillow (-2 cm)

Summary

In Germany, over 75% of working people suffer from sleep problems due to the wrong pillows. An ergonomic side sleeper pillow with memory foam, OEKO-TEX certification, and individually adjusted height (8-13cm depending on body type) can reduce neck tension by up to 80%. Sleep experts recommend side sleeper pillows with a shoulder cutout and thermoregulating covers. Test your optimal pillow at specialized retailers like Third of Life with a 90-day trial. The investment of 80-100€ in a high-quality side sleeper pillow pays off quickly through fewer sick days and better quality of life.

More side sleeper pillows from Third of Life in Munich

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