SLEEP BETTER WITH A BLANKET

Research has revealed that sleeping under a heavy blanket could improve the quality of your night's rest.  

Specially design weighted blankets work by applying touch therapy on your body as you sleep, helping you rest and providing a feeling of security and safety. Traditionally developed as a therapeutic solution to help sensory seeking children and adults with autism and associated sensory processing disorders, they are now moving in to the mainstream and being recommended by therapists treating people with anxiety and by physios and sports therapists in particular to bring comfort and ease the body through the night. The weight of the blanket can help to relieve anxiety and stress, and so help aid a peaceful nights sleep.

A recent article in lifehack.org explains: "Deep pressure touch stimulation (or DPTS) is a type of therapy that almost anyone can benefit from. Similar to getting a massage, pressure exerted over the body has physical and psychological advantages. According to Temple Grandin, Ph.D., “Deep touch pressure is the type of surface pressure that is exerted in most types of firm touching, holding, stroking, petting of animals, or swaddling. [sic] Occupational therapists have observed that a very light touch alerts the nervous system, but deep pressure is relaxing and calming.”  The blankets are typically “weighted” with plastic pellets that are sewn into compartments to keep the weight properly distributed. The weight of the blanket acts like a warm hug, curving round the body and acts on deep pressure touch receptors. This encourages serotonin production which both lifts your mood a starts a chain reaction that leads to the body feeling sleepy. They're available in a range of sizes and weights - check out the what's available from sensorydirect.com  to find out a bit more. Or, if you are feeling crafty, you could even have a go at making one yourself (check out craftnectar.com for example).    

Plan B If you like the sound of all this but don't fancy going the whole hog and investing in an official weighted blanket, then at least try and add a little heaviness with a blanket or two on top of your usual bedding. Even if it doesn't quite have the same effect, it'll dial up the snugness and make it look lovely and cosy - a comfort in itself.

Here are three lovely ones we spotted for Spring that we think are well worth curling up under...

Striped woven Pom Pom blanket 200 x 150cm £120 from Graham & Green    

Vega Wool Throw in Saffron 130 x 200cm £58 from the Scandinavian Design Centre    

Aldalora Throw 173 x 152.2cm £118 from Anthropologie.com  

Lead image: Bobble blanket by shopprettymommy.myshopify.com