Sleep is one of our most basic needs. Without it we have no energy, become cranky and irritable. Over an extended period of time, lack of sleep can even increase our risk of serious medical conditions such as obesity, heart disease and diabetes. It can even contribute to a shortened life expectancy.
According to the NHS website, most of us need around eight hours of good-quality sleep a night to function properly – but some need more and some less. What matters is that you find out how much sleep you need and then try to achieve it.
“As a general rule, if you wake up tired and spend the day longing for a chance to have a nap, it’s likely that you’re not getting enough sleep” says NHS.uk
Busy schedules and work responsibilities mean that getting a decent sleep can often feel impossible. Many of us have resigned ourselves to a lifetime of disturbed sleep patterns, waking up at 3 am and struggling to rise up when our alarm goes off. But what if it didn’t have to be this way? What if you could fall asleep in minutes, sleep all night, and wake up feeling refreshed?
Research shows that weighted blankets can be used to effectively improve sleep, increase relaxation and promote mental health. We wanted to find out more so we spoke to the brilliant team over at LEVIA, who explained the science behind the concept and how they can encourage a solid night’s sleep.
Weighted blankets have been used for years in the medical community in order to successfully treat patients with a variety of conditions including autism, insomnia, stress, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, Alzheimers and other mental illnesses.
The magical power of weighted blankets comes from the natural force of gravity which helps you relax and reduce stress. The technique is knowns as “deep pressure touch stimulation” – the scientific term for a weight being smoothly and evenly distributed on the body.
Imagine the physical and emotional comfort that comes from a relaxing massage or a firm hug. The effect on the body is the same when using LEVIA’s heavy blankets, and this is linked to better sleep and improved well-being in general.
The healing effect of deep pressure touch stimulation is observed in our hormones too. It’s known to increase serotonin (the feel-good hormone) and melatonin (the sleep-good hormone) while decreasing stress levels in the form of cortisol.
According to the sleep experts from LEVIA Blanket, our production of melatonin is altered by our busy lifestyles, smartphone use and irregular sleeping schedules. By simply investing in a weighted blanket you can finally reclaim your sleep by triggering the production of those hormones in a natural, drug-free way.
The duvet itself consists of little chambers containing micro glass beads which are responsible for the additional, soothing weight. This carefully constructed design makes sure that the weight is evenly distributed on the body for optimum effect. Made of 100% natural cotton, this durable duvet will ensure you sleep well for years to come. It’s available in three different weights which are tailored to suit different bodyweight too.
The cover is made of ultra-soft minky fabric which feels wonderful on your skin, creating a luxurious sleep experience from the get-go. This high-quality fabric won’t fade and is specially chosen to retain warmth for long periods of time which makes it cosy all night long. Simply wash in the machine whenever you need to.
There’s no need to stock up on different weights when the seasons change either. Just remove the cover and use the duvet as it is during the warmer months for the same, life-changing sleep benefits. We were excited to find out that the LEVIA team are currently in the midst of working up some beautiful covers suited for the breezy summer season too!
Because weighted blankets are known to help with stress and anxiety they can be used during the day too. Had a long day at work? Wrap yourself in a LEVIA blanket to relieve tension and feelings of worry. Sunday night anxiety will melt away as you curl up on the sofa, enveloped in the pressure-giving goodness of a soft, weighted blanket.
But don’t take our word for it. According to studies, 63% of the participants reported lower anxiety after use, and 78% preferred the weighted blanket as a calming modality.
Imagine an evening routine where you get into bed and fall asleep within minutes, sleep all night through and wake up with a spring in your step. No more tossing and turning, counting sheep or getting up to watch TV in the middle of the night. Nothing but pure, undisturbed sleep every single night.
Give your body the sleep it deserves – as a result, you will wake up energised and ready to conquer the world.
