When it comes to creating a luxurious living space in your lounge, plush furnishings, tasteful décor and sophisticated accessories are the key ingredients for success. From super soft, velvet sofas to expensive art, it’s the small touches that help to create a homely feel without compromising on style, and a few added extras can make for a cosy and relaxing environment that’s just perfect for unwinding at the end of a long day.
The latest accessory making waves in the home interiors world – and the wellbeing one, too, is the weighted blanket, which offers a warm piece of heaven to snuggle up with each evening in front of the TV or when settling down with a good book. Australian company, Calming Blankets, has recently launched in the UK, and has already seen a huge flurry of purchases since making its weighted blankets available on British soil.
So, what exactly are these blankets all about – and what does the fact that they are weighted have to do with anything?
What is a weighted blanket?
A weighted blanket is – unsurprisingly – considerably heavier than a standard blanket, but what this innovative creation has to offer that others don’t is their wellbeing benefits. Shown to help reduce stress and help promote a healthy sleeping pattern, they are enjoying immense popularity amongst those struggling with anxiety thanks to the proprioceptive input – in other words, the deep touch pressure stimulation they provide to the body.
While weighted blankets have been enjoying a spike in popularity in recent years, they’re actually not as new as you might imagine, and have actually been on the market for around for quite some time. However, it’s only in recent years that their health and wellbeing benefits have started to gain attention after their affects on those living with conditions including autism, ADHD, sensory disorders and PTSD were noted.
Over the past few years, many studies have been conducted on how weighted blankets can impact on sleep levels, with favourable results. In fact, they’ve been shown to promote an improved overall sleeping pattern, owing largely to the reduction in anxiety and stress levels they aid.
One study found that 63% of participants enjoyed alleviated stress and anxiety after introducing a weighted blanket – also known as a sensory blanket or a gravity blanket – into their home and their daily routine, with a further 78% saying they preferred them to regular blankets. 33% of participants were also shown to have experienced a decrease in nervous system overactivity.
It’s little wonder then, that luxurious Australian brand, Comfy blankets has been enjoying such success. Having sold over 50,000 units on home soil alone, it has now brought its quality offerings to the UK and, with covers made from the same ultra-soft minky fabric that is often used for baby blankets, its calming effects are instant even before the weight of the blanket starts to work its magic. Its long fibres are soft, durable and machine washable, while the weighted element is made from non-toxic glass beads that are evenly distributed for optimal wellbeing benefits.
How exactly does a weighted blanket work?
It all sounds very promising, but how exactly does the Calming Blanket work?
Well, essentially, they are based around deep touch pressure therapy (DTP), where gentle pressure on the body stimulates the release of serotonin in the brain. Sometimes referred to as the ‘happy chemical’, it generates a feeling of calm and wellbeing.
They can also help the brain to access information about the body’s environment at a quicker rate than usual, encouraging a feeling of relaxation and restfulness.
How do I choose the right Calming Blanket?
Therapists recommend that an optimal weighted blanket should weigh around 10-15 per cent of the user’s overall body weight. The Calming Blanket comes in a range of options, starting from 2.2kg and with mid-range weights of 4.5kg and 6.8kg. The heaviest offering comes in at 9kg, meaning there are options for both adults and children – though they are not recommended for children under the age
of five.
Why is a Calming Blanket a luxury living room essential?
It’s likely that we’ve all been known to suffer from stress, anxiety or insomnia at some point in our life, and accessorising your lavish living space with one of Calming Blanket’s stylish offering will make it the perfect place to relax and unwind at the end of a busy way. Having a sumptuous blanket to snuggle up in is enough to make anyone feel comforted, and with added benefits like these, it’s a no brainer.
Available in a range of gorgeous styles and shades, Calming Blankets look and feel expensive, making them an essential accent for your sofa.
With adult blankets now available in the UK for £149 each and children’s for £119, it’s the perfect way to take care of the whole family’s wellbeing without compromising on style and luxury.
