While there are all kinds of insomnia solutions already out there for the 83 million Americans who don’t get enough sleep (hello, lavender body lotion!), more and more people are turning to these cozy, weighted blankets to help them get some shut-eye.
The dozens that are currently available on the market, including this highly reviewed version, were all inspired by a calming technique called deep pressure stimulation, which claims to induce the same feelings you get from hugs, cuddling, swaddling, and holding. The blankets are designed to apply gentle pressure, prompting relaxation.
According to thousands of online reviews, weighted blankets can not only help troubled sleepers fall asleep and stay asleep more quickly, but can also ensure quality rest. “I absolutely love this blanket,” one commenter wrote. “I suffer from anxiety and insomnia and I have a hard time falling and staying asleep at night. The first night I slept with this blanket, I didn’t wake up at all until my alarm went off in the morning.”
A post shared by My Calm Blanket (@mycalmblanket) on Mar 10, 2018 at 10:45am PST
The makers of The Gravity Blanket, one of the originals, say that sleeping with a throw that weighs roughly 10 percent of your body weight increases feel-good and sleep hormones (like serotonin and melatonin) and decreases stress hormones like cortisol.
A post shared by Gravity Blanket (@gravityblankets) on Mar 1, 2018 at 8:02am PST
Another version, dubbed My Calm Blanket, claims theirs, offered in a variety of weight options, can help those who can’t sleep due to general anxiety in addition to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), sensory processing disorder (SPD), autism, and other sensory conditions. “I received the weighted blanket as a Christmas gift from a loved one who knows how I struggle with anxiety, stress, and insomnia,” one reviewer wrote on the site. “The moment I laid down and put it on I felt instantly better.”
You can choose from various weights, sizes, and colors. And for anyone looking simply for a super cozy, soft, and feel-good piece to nuzzle with while you watch your favorite movie or unwind after a long day, these snuggly blankets are great for that, too.
This content was originally published here.
