Three solid reasons why you need this weighted blanket for winter

We’re halfway through June now which means winter is well and truly in session.

For some, this might be what prompts you to book that holiday to follow the sun somewhere warm. But for me, this sparks the start of my favourite time of year, because outside, the air is filled with the faint smell of smoky fireplaces, and inside, it's time for cosy sheets and fluffy blankets.

And to kick off the season, I have welcomed a new cosy piece into my rotation: The Oodie Weighted Blanket.

I have always been intrigued by weighted blankets, and as someone who loves the feeling of a heavy quilt, I honestly can’t believe I haven’t gotten one sooner.

Promising all sorts of incredible benefits like encouraging relaxation, supporting sleep, and offering gentle, even pressure across the body, it all sounds too good to be true, really, but after using one myself, I am here to report that it is, in fact, all true.

And don't just take my word for it, there are a number of scientific studies helping to support this. A Flinders University study reported that "adults who used the blankets reported better sleep, reduced use of sleep medications, and even improvements in mood and pain management."

Still need convincing? We thought you might, which is why we have three reasons why you need to get yourself a weighted blanket this winter.

NOTE: Prices are accurate at the time of publishing.

Here for $159

It encourages relaxation

The reason a weighted blanket is so good at encouraging relaxation is because of something called deep pressure stimulation (DPS for short).

This therapeutic technique works by using firm pressure to calm the nervous system, in the same way a hug might. It helps to reduce the body’s fight or flight response, which, as a result, helps you feel more relaxed.

For me, I felt this sense of relaxation as soon as I placed the blanket over my body because the generous 198cm x 121cm size, paired with the ultra plush and soft fabric, meant I was able to completely wrap myself up in a cosy cocoon.

It supports sleep

This relaxed feeling (thanks to that reduced fight or flight) calms the body down, which then helps to support the shift from a stressed (sympathetic) nervous system to a relaxed (parasympathetic) one.

Once your body is in this relaxed state, tasks like falling asleep can feel so much easier because it signals to your brain that it is OK to do so. The physical weight of the blanket also helps to reduce movement, which, as someone who is always tossing and turning, felt particularly helpful, because being still meant I was able to fall asleep faster.

It gives gentle, even pressure

The Oodie Weighted Blanket has been expertly created with eco-friendly glass beads, which help to evenly disperse the weight across the entire body.

It is also available to purchase in three different weights: 4.5kg, 6.8kg, and 9kg, so you can select the best one for you. If you're unsure, a handy trick for choosing is to select a weight that falls around 1kg for every 10kg of body weight.

READ MORE: Staying cosy this winter just got easier thanks to these great sheet sets