CUDDLE BUDDY RELEASES WEIGHTED BLANKETS

Cuddle Buddy, a highly celebrated pillow brand designed to bring comfort and relief to people’s lives, has released the latest addition to the extensive range; a weighted blanket.

Cuddle Buddy launched in 2003 with an ethos of delivering comfort and a sense of calm. As a result of a tumultuous 2020 and a higher emphasis on self-care, the introduction of the weighted blanket is both a natural and fitting extension for the pillow brand.

Weighted blankets, also known as pressure and gravity blankets, have sky-rocketed in popularity thanks to their ability to help ease stress and improve sleep. They do this by providing pressure on the body, an at-home therapy, likened to the Occupational Therapist technique of Deep Touch Pressure Therapy.

Studies by Sleep House Foundation have revealed that inadequate sleep, of either duration or quality, is very common in Australians, affecting 33-45% of adults. On top of this, research has found physical conditions like Autism, ADHD, Anxiety, Osteoarthritis, Chronic Pains, and Sleeping Disorders such as Insomnia and Sleep Apnoea, can all benefit from the use of weighted blankets.

“Weighted blankets are usually as heavy as 7-12 percent of your body weight. This gentle pressure mimics the feeling of being hugged or ‘grounded’, which can lead to a reduction in stress. That, in turn, can lead to better sleep. This process is known as deep pressure stimulation. When firm but gentle pressure is applied, the body switches from engaging the sympathetic nervous system (which prompts the body’s “fight or flight” response) to engaging the parasympathetic nervous system (which promotes the “rest and digest” response). To put it another way, the blanket’s weight stimulates the sensation of touch, similar to massage or acupressure; there is scientific evidence that touch affects the autonomic nervous system, producing a calming effect,” says Sleep Specialist, Jane Wigglesworth.

“Weighted blankets can work well for people who have insomnia and a co-occurring mental health disorder, such as anxiety, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and bipolar disorder. It may also be beneficial for people with autism spectrum disorder and those with sensory processing disorder (SPD).”

The deep-pressure touch on the body stimulates the release of serotonin and dopamine, two brain chemicals that positively affect mood by creating a sense of calm and relaxation. Cuddle Buddy’s Weighted Blanket is designed to simulate a comforting hug, enhancing oxytocin by providing warmth, security, and ultimately making you feel at ease.

Sleep expert & Registered Nurse, Deb Herdman says, "Weighted blankets can improve sleep in a number of ways by providing deep therapy pressure to muscles to aid relaxation, improve sleep latency (the time taken to go from awake to asleep and improve sleep debt that causes, in many cases, frequent overnight waking. Weighted blankets are a natural alternative to enable the body to gently succumb to deeper, restful sleep."

Available in three sizes, 7kg, 9kg, and 11kg, Cuddle Buddy’s Weighted Blanket is made from 100% bamboo and filled with 100% glass beads. Its polyester outer cover can be removed, allowing for the bamboo cotton lining to keep you cool throughout warmer seasons.

Whether you’re looking for a travel companion, need to focus, feeling unsettled, searching for a stylish home accessory, or simply want to embrace a sense of calm, Cuddle Buddy’s Weighted Blanket proves that there’s nothing better and more important than a little self-care.

Cuddle Buddy’s Weighted Blanket is sold exclusively online and is available in three different sizes from $129.95. Visit www.cuddlebuddy.com.au to find out more.

ENDS

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Megan Chambers | megan@olivepr.com.au