It turns out adults take all the help they can get, to feel a little better during the day, and sleep a little tighter at night. Nope, we’re not talking about eating cookies or getting cuddles. We’re talking about ‘Weighted Blankets’, also known as ‘Gravity Blankets’.

If you haven’t heard of ‘Gravity Blankets’, you have probably been living under one. And if that’s true, allow us to tell you what they are. Though there is no easy way to put this– Weighted blankets are blankets which are weighted, yes. 

Gravity Blankets found their way into gift-lists, parenting trends and even TikTok challenges. Hell, Jennifer Lawerence even put the Weighted Blanket on her Amazon wedding registry. 

These blankets are supposedly a temporary fix for people suffering from Anxiety, ADHD, Autism, PTSD and other sensory issues. 

According to Penn Medicine, as quoted by refinery29 “pressure on the body — like that from a weighted blanket — can help slow down a heart that’s beating too fast. A lowered heart rate can lead to feelings of calm and relaxation. This is also called pressure therapy.” No wonder their alias is ‘Therapy Blankets’. 

Although these blankets cannot replace therapy or a medical alternative in any way, they are supposed to make us feel grounded and secure by applying pressure on our body when wrapped around. Research suggests that weighted blankets use a therapeutic technique called Deep Pressure Simulation. 

According to Psychology Today, “Deep pressure stimulation may stimulate oxytocin. This hormone can evoke feelings of attachment and closeness and generate a deep sense of calm.” (Hello, unattended attachment issues.)

Many compare weighted blankets to a gentle, warm hug and we can’t help but wonder if they’re really *that* good– because honestly, if not someone, we could use something, to comfort us at all times. 

In another research, as quoted by Healthline, it was found that using a weighted blanket reduced anxiety in roughly 33 per cent of the 32 participants. 

Medical practitioners say that while some people find Gravity Blankets grounding, others can find them suffocating and claustrophobic at times. It’s essential to make an informed decision while considering getting yourself one.  

Experts suggest the blanket weigh less than 10 per cent our body weight. An average gravity blanket can weigh anywhere between 10 to 20 pounds.

While some call buying these a fad, others rave about how amazing they turned out to be, either way, it’s safe to weigh your options. 

Sounds like a sweet deal but how we wish the answer to all our stressors were a simple blanket. But if it is, even temporarily, wrapping yourself up in a gravity blanket could be what you’re looking forward to at the end of the day, literally.