Weighted Blanket vs. Weighted Plushie: Which is Better for You?
Have you ever looked into calming tools for anxiety, autism, or ADHD? If you have, chances are you’ve come across weighted blankets and weighted plushies. These weighted items are becoming increasingly popular for mental health and sensory support, and for good reason—they work! But how do you decide which one is best for you or your child? Let’s explore the benefits of each and weigh up the pros and cons (no pun intended!).
What’s the Difference Between a Weighted Blanket and a Weighted Plushie?
First things first, let’s quickly explain what we’re comparing here:
Weighted Blankets are typically large, heavy blankets filled with glass beads or pellets, designed to offer deep pressure stimulation. This can help calm the nervous system and is especially useful for sleep and relaxation.
Weighted Plushies, like our Calmness Crew Koala, offer a similar calming effect but in a cute, comforting form. These plushies are filled with the same types of beads or pellets to give them weight, but unlike a blanket, they’re designed to be hugged, held, or carried around.
Both have fantastic benefits, but they do serve slightly different purposes. Let’s dive into why you might choose one over the other.
How Weighted Items Help with Mental Health
Weighted items work through a process called deep pressure stimulation, which helps trigger the release of feel-good chemicals like serotonin and reduce stress hormones like cortisol. This makes them a great tool for people who struggle with:
Anxiety and Stress: The weight helps calm the mind and body, providing a sense of security.
Autism and ADHD: Many people with these conditions find weighted items provide sensory feedback that helps them focus and feel grounded.
Sleep and Relaxation: Whether it’s falling asleep or unwinding after a stressful day, both blankets and plushies offer a comforting sense of calm.
Weighted Blanket: Pros and Cons
Let’s start with weighted blankets.
Weighted blanket
Pros:
Full-Body Comfort: These blankets are designed to cover your entire body, offering an all-encompassing feeling of being gently held.
Great for Sleep: Weighted blankets are perfect for bedtime, helping you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
Customisable Weight: You can choose a blanket that fits your preferred weight, which makes it easy to find the right one for your needs.
Cons:
Not Very Portable: Let’s be honest, lugging a 7kg blanket around isn’t exactly practical! These are great at home, but not ideal if you’re on the go.
Can Get Hot: Weighted blankets can trap heat, making them uncomfortable for people who tend to overheat at night.
No Emotional Connection: Sure, they’re comfy, but they lack that personal, emotional bond you can get from a plushie.
Weighted Plushie: Pros and Cons
Now, let’s look at why weighted plushies—like our Calmness Crew Koala—might be your perfect companion.
Pros:
Emotional Comfort: Plushies offer more than just weight—they’re soft, cuddly, and provide emotional reassurance. They become a buddy, not just a tool.
Portable: You can easily take a weighted plushie anywhere! Whether it’s the car, school, or even just moving from room to room, they’re super easy to carry.
Personalisation: With our Calmness Crew, you can personalise your plushie with felt stickers or even name them. It’s a lovely way to make the plushie your own and create an even stronger emotional connection.
Great for Sensory Needs: Besides the weight, plushies provide tactile stimulation through their soft texture, making them perfect for fidgeting and self-soothing.
Cons:
Not Full-Body: A plushie may not give the same full-body pressure a blanket can provide.
Less Effective for Sleep: While they’re comforting, plushies are better suited for daytime use, whereas blankets might be more effective at helping you sleep.
Which One is Right for You?
So, which is better—a weighted blanket or a weighted plushie? The answer really depends on your needs:
If you’re looking for something that will help you sleep or provide full-body pressure, then a weighted blanket might be the right choice.
But if you (or your child) need something that offers emotional comfort, can be taken anywhere, and is more versatile throughout the day, a weighted plushie like our Calmness Crew Koala is a fantastic option.
For Kids and Teens, plushies are often the better choice. Not only are they portable and adorable, but they also offer that extra emotional connection that can really help calm a child’s anxiety or stress. And with our Calmness Crew plushies, you get the added bonus of voice-guided breathing techniques, grounding technique and positive affirmations—all designed to make mental health support fun and easy for young people.
Final Thoughts
Both weighted blankets and plushies have incredible benefits for mental health, autism, ADHD, and more. But the key is to think about what you need most—a calming tool for sleep and nighttime anxiety, or an emotional companion that you can take anywhere?
If you’re leaning towards a weighted plushie, we’d love for you to meet our Calmness Crew Koala. Designed to be a soothing friend for kids and teens, our plushie is packed with calming techniques and can be personalised to suit your child’s unique needs. Plus, don’t forget to check out our free resources on mindset learning and kindness to support your child’s journey toward calm and confidence.
The Calmness Crew Koala plushie to help support mental health. Voice guides through techniques mental health professionals use to help support mental health including breathing technique, grounding technique and positive affirmations.
Take a look at our range on wellgood.life—because everyone deserves a little extra calm in their life.
Well Good website with free resources connected to mental health and wellbeing.