Blog

 

1. THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING

This is the one gift that truly keeps on giving.

The benefits of using a weighted blanket are endless and can last a lifetime. 

 

2. IT’S THERAPEUTIC

The soothing effect of a weighted blanket can create a more comfortable environment for falling asleep by imitating the feeling of being swaddled tightly in bed. This close physical connection provides a sense of warmth and safety, making it easier for the body to relax.

Therapists and doctors around the world continue to recommend the use of weighted therapy to their patients.

 

3. THE PERFECT TRAVEL COMPANION

Roll it up in your suitcase and use it on the flight back home, or pack it in your car boot for your drive home to replenish, rejuvenate and recover your muscles from doing all those touristy things you got up to on your holiday. Not to mention getting that much needed rest when you finally reach your destination.

 

4. CALMS YOUR KIDS

We all know what our kids are like at family gatherings over the festive season.

If your kids are anything like ours and they’re around their cousins and aunties they haven’t seen since last Christmas, things can get a bit busy…

All it takes is too many chocolate truffles or that extra bowl of Christmas pudding to send them into overdrive.

A weighted blanket will help calm their minds and bodies at the end of a busy day of playing, nibbling, video games and all the other activities they struggle to switch off from when it’s time to go to bed.

 

5. WHO DOESN’T WANT HUGS FOR CHRISTMAS?

Both hugs and heavy blankets trigger the release of oxytocin, a hormone that slows down your heart rate, reduces blood pressure, and promotes feelings of relaxation.

Hugs boost your heart health, may protect you against illness and help relieve your pain. Read more about the proven benefits of hugging here.

And let’s face it, young or old,  a nice, warm hug makes all the difference at Christmas time.

 

YOU CAN STILL GET 20% OFF EVERYTHING OVER A MINIMUM R500 SPEND UNTIL 31 DECEMBER

Just use the promo code FEST19 when ordering here

For any further enquiries don’t hesitate to contact us at info@prettyspecial.co.za

 

1. CALM DOWN

Weighted blankets provide deep touch pressure or DTP. DTP is about gently applying pressure to the body to increase the release of serotonin, a chemical in the body that promotes relaxation.The pressure from the weight causes the body to produce serotonin and endorphins, chemicals our bodies naturally use to feel relaxed or calm.

 

2. SLEEP BETTER – WITHOUT MEDICATION

Heavy blankets are mostly used for those with autism or sensory processing disorder, but more and more often they are being used for those with sleeping disorders, like insomnia or restless leg syndrome, as well as people who simply would like to improve their sleep overall.

The soothing effect of a weighted blanket can create a more comfortable environment for falling asleep by imitating the feeling of being swaddled tightly in bed. This close physical connection provides a sense of warmth and safety, making it easier for the body to relax.

A Study from Journal of Sleep Medicine & Disorders (2015) found that a weighted blanket helped those with insomnia sleep better, simply because it helped them feel more settled before bed.

 

3. REDUCE YOUR STRESS & ANXIETY

A weighted blanket is a safe way to lower your stress level and help you reach a relaxed state.

The “relaxed state” results from serotonin production, which is necessary to release melatonin — the sleep hormone, which helps determine when we go to sleep and wake up based on our circadian rhythm.

This means it’ll be faster to fall asleep, reduce anxiety, go into deeper sleep, and move less throughout the night.

 

4. EASE YOUR PAIN

Heavy blankets trigger the release of oxytocin, a hormone that slows down your heart rate, reduces blood pressure, and promotes feelings of relaxation.

By applying Deep Touch Pressure to the body to increase the release of serotonin, this in turn relaxes the nervous system and then causes a chain reaction in the body that releases an overall sense of calm and peace. Benefits include reduced pain, better sleep, improved focus, lower anxiety levels, and improved social interaction. 

 

5. SOOTHES BEHAVIOUR DISORDERS

Weighted blankets have a long history of use in a type of occupational therapy called Sensory Integration therapy. This treatment is used to help people with autism and other disorders to focus on sensory experiences which experts say may boost these individuals’ ability to regulate their emotions and behaviour. Weighted blankets are one tool therapists use to provide “deep-touch pressure.”

Deep-Touch pressure helps to calm that arousal level in the system and to help with self-regulation.

It also has been proven to assist with general anxiety, repetitive and obsessive-compulsive behaviors; oppositional and aggressive  behaviors; sleep related difficulties; depression and autism spectrum conditions.

For more information or to place an order, please email us to info@prettyspecial.co.za or visit our contact to order form.

 

Post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD occurs immediately or months after experiencing a traumatic event. It may even show up many years later. Fear, anxiety and emotional stress give rise to sleep disturbances which can negatively affect your work and family life.

Those who have PTSD experience flashbacks, nightmares, insomnia, emotional numbness and distress, they are easily angered and feel jumpy and alert all of the time.

According to ptsduk.org  it’s important to understand that PTSD is considered to be a psychological injury rather than a mental illness.

Neuroanatomical studies have identified changes in major brain structures of those with PTSD — the amygdala and hippocampus – showing that there are significant physical changes within the brain as a result of trauma.

These brain changes from PTSD, particularly if not diagnosed yet, can make life seem very confusing, and understanding your own mind can become almost impossible.

 

As the PTSD Journal reports, using a weighted blanket not only helps with PTSD and anxiety, but also stress, insomnia and many other conditions. This is crucial for those who may find themselves experiencing over-tiredness, hyper vigilance and raised cortisol levels at bedtime.

 

Relaxation techniques, prescription medication and group therapy are typical treatments for PTSD, but using a PrettySpecial weighted blanket can assist with a natural way to curb mood swings and restore your sleep.

The weighted blanket molds to your body like a nice, warm hug. The Deep Touch Pressure (DTP) also helps relax the nervous system and is an effective non-drug therapy alternative.  Equivalent to the benefits of a massage, the pressure applied to the body encourages the natural production of serotonin.

Psychiatric, trauma, geriatric, and paediatric hospital units use weighted blankets to calm a patient’s anxiety and promote deep, restful sleep. Crescent Clinic in Cape Town has been actively using our weighted blankets as a means to calm patients while doing group or one on one therapy.

 

For more information or to order your PrettySpecial weighted blanket, please go to our order form, or simply email us directly at info@prettyspecial.co.za, we deliver straight to your door, throughout South Africa.