10 best weighted blankets to ease stress and anxiety
Whether it’s the cost of living crisis, workplace pressures or other factors, stress can become a part of daily life. We see this playing out in the UK, where nine out of 10 adults are reported to have experienced high or extreme stress in the past year.
Stress can become more manageable by adopting healthy lifestyle factors, such as taking a walk in nature or practising mindfulness, but, to help relieve stress in the cosiest way imaginable, there is one soothing tool to which we can turn: the weighted blanket.
“Weighted blankets are a useful tool for helping both children and adults to relax,” says Dr Laura O’Halloran, a chartered clinical psychologist at the Purple House Clinic. “They can reduce stress and anxiety, factors which can lead to problems with sleep. They are especially useful in a number of conditions such as autism, anxiety, depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).”
A weighted blanket works by applying deep pressure on the person snuggled beneath it, which can mimic the feeling of a hug, and help calm the body and mind, says Dr O’Halloran. “There is also science behind this, because, when this pressure happens, ‘feel-good’ hormones are released in the brain, such as oxytocin. It is the release of these hormones that then helps you relax and drift off to sleep.” However, she adds that it is important to also consult with a healthcare provider, to explore appropriate care options if you’re dealing with severe anxiety or stress.
So, it seems weighted blankets could help us unwind and get a good night’s sleep. Sign us up.
How we tested the best weighted blankets
We sourced several weighted blankets in various sizes and styles. Firstly, we made sure we selected those that were about 10 per cent of our testers’ body weights. Besides that practical
