Which shape should you choose?
The rectangle is simple, tried-and-true. But the newer forms have distinct advantages, say Drs Bhalerao and Archik.
l The Roll: Shaped like a bolster, this one can be used between the knees or under the neck to improve osture while sleeping.
l Contoured: This pillow has an ‘S’ shape that keeps the neck in the hyperextended position that is healthiest for the airways and spine during sleep. This posture also helps relax neck muscles and reduce muscular strain — an important advantage in a time of necks craned for smartphone screens and long hours at the work desk.
l Lumbar support: This is a soft, long, rectangular pillow recommended for hours at the desk or behind the wheel. It prevents slouching and provides crucial support to parts of the lower back that remain unsupported when sitting.
l The wedge: These triangular pillows keep the top half of the body in an elevated position. They are particularly beneficial for people with acid reflux, sinus problems and snorers.
It had been almost five months since his last relationship ended, almost five years since hers. “I was going through the process of rewiring my brain,” says Devlina Sinha, an event planner in Mumbai, “and Varun was spending the lockdown recovering from a long-drawn-out breakup.”
But the stars aligned, and when they met for their first date in June, Sinha and Varun Kumar, a supervising producer for web shows, ended up on a long drive with no destination, “talking about everything”.
Having spent the first three months of the lockdown alone, they were starved for conversation and companionship. “It was the first first-date I’d been on where we actually talked, with no filters,” Sinha says. “It was like being 16 again.”
Neither had expected much success from the date. “I almost cancelled on him. I had been single for a long time, and had gone on dates over the years that didn’t amount to anything. A friend pushed me to meet him,” Sinha says. “I guess when you’re on a dating app for a while, you get desensitised to the idea of a relationship,” Kumar adds.
After that first date, they knew they’d be meeting again. The only thing to figure out was how to cover the 10-odd kilometres between their houses, while still in lockdown.
“It brought out the film hero in me, you know,” Kumar says. He’d load bags of groceries into his car and, if stopped, say he needed to deliver them. Or take his kitten along and say he was going to the vet.
In addition to a romantic relationship, it felt like a budding friendship, something neither had experienced before. “I can honestly say I’ve become a more inward, calm and compassionate person after meeting Devlina,” Kumar says. “I used to be hotheaded. She has contributed to making me a saner person.”
For Sinha, one thing sealed the deal. “On our second date he promised that he would always make me chai,” she says, “whenever I wanted it.”
They plan to meet each other’s parents soon.