For cosy and comforting, weighted blankets are just the ticket

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Mar 15, 2022, updated Mar 15, 2022

Weighted blankets - cosy, comforting and therapeutic. Photo: Getty

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Hygge, the Danish and Norwegian word for a mood of cosiness, almost always involves tucking yourself under a blanket with a dimly lit lamp, good book or light-hearted movie.

In the search for comfort, many of us are opting for weighted blankets.

Unlike typical blankets, weighted blankets are designed to create a downwards pressure around you by using a heavy filling. Many liken it to a warming embrace.

With the rise of pressure therapy being used to soothe the nervous system by replicating that feeling of a warm hug, weighted blankets have been one of the most popular buys when the weather cools.

Some of the most appreciated benefits include the relaxing effects that can lead to a perfect slumber. Weighted blankets are also designed to counteract the overstimulation of a busy day.

Weighted blankets have also been a go-to for those suffering with chronic pain.

A 2021 study carried out by University of California San Diego found that 93 per cent of participants with chronic pain who sampled a light or weight blanket for seven days found relief.

It’s also a popular treatment for those with anxiety. Another study found that weighted blankets help reduce autonomic arousal, such as an increased heart rate.

Weighted blankets vary from 3kg to a much heavier 14kg. The rule of thumb is to choose a blanket that weighs about 10 per cent of your body weight.

Here’s a selection available online:

Adults Weighted Blanket