Winter Blues? How a Weighted Blanket Could Help

Winter Blues? How a Weighted Blanket Could Help

By: Marge Hynes

It’s winter! That means it’s the season of not just giving, but snowfall, pine trees, crisp campfires, sing-a-longs, bright reds and greens, quality friend and family time, and more. However, winter also means—you guessed it (assuming you read the title)—the blues. 

Why do we even get the “blues” when it gets cold out? How do we fight back? 

We’ve got you covered. Keep reading to find out!

Why do I get the winter blues every year?

Here’s the good news—you’re not alone. Roughly 1 in 3 Brits experience a low in their mood every winter season.[1]

There are many possibilities as to why you feel the dreaded winter blues when it’s colder outside, but according to science the biggest culprits include the following:

Seasonal Affective Disorder

When winter arrives with its chilly weather, the days are shorter and there is less sunlight, causing things like your circadian rhythms (that help us sleep peacefully) to get a bit confused. You might feel a little more tired than usual, and waking up early can be more difficult. You may also notice things like: [3]

  • Depression
  • Low energy and sluggishness
  • Weight gain
  • Difficulty focusing
  • Sense of dread

These are common symptoms of a condition called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), also commonly known as Seasonal Depression. This type of depression begins at the same time every year, either beginning in late fall or early winter, and typically persisting until spring and summer. Researchers believe that our biological clocks are significant factors in SAD, as shorter days and longer nights cause a big drop in both our serotonin and melatonin levels. If you’re feeling less happy and more tired this winter, SAD may be playing a part.[3]

If you notice symptoms of or are suffering from SAD, please reach out to a licensed therapist, or talk to someone you trust. Consult your healthcare provider on what the next best steps are for you. 

Being Stuck Inside  

Social isolation isn’t always all bad—some of us are introverts and love the time off this winter to decompress and recharge our social batteries. However, excessive solitude has its risks. We all know with the winter season comes bundling up indoors, and often. Being all cooped up alone can lead to feelings of loneliness, which can be especially difficult for those already suffering from long-term loneliness, social isolation, or symptoms of SAD. Shorter days and longer nights, combined with adverse weather conditions, make it seriously hard to meet and connect with other individuals in person, too.[2] 

How can I beat the winter blues this year?

According to recent research, beating the winter blues can be as easy as seeking out the sunlight whenever you can for a little extra boost of vitamin D, physical activity while you’re stuck indoors, online counselling, tweaking your diet to include essential fruits and vegetables, AND weighted blankets.[3,4,5]

Why weighted blankets, you might be asking? Great question. We’ve got the answers right here.

  • Weighted blankets are therapeutic blankets that should ideally weigh around 6 kg. The extra weight in these blankets mimics a therapeutic technique called deep pressure stimulation or pressure therapy, enveloping the body in what feels like a stress-reducing human embrace and relaxing the nervous system.[5,6,7,8] 
  • Studies have shown weighted blankets can relieve the perception of pain, reduce symptoms of anxiety, improve sleep quality, and even relieve symptoms of depression.[5,7,8]  

The Cosy House Weighted Blanket

If you’re trying to beat the winter blues this year, the Luxury Bamboo Weighted Blanket is calling your name. Our weighted blanket has it all: 

  • Deep-touch pressure stimulation technology that’s created by thousands of tiny glass beads evenly distributed throughout the fabric to help promote calmness and also reduce feelings of anxiety and depression. 
  • An easy-to-clean bamboo viscose cover that is machine washable, dryer-friendly, and finished with a premium zippered enclosure for easy removal. 
    • Our ultra-soft 330 thread count cover also resists wrinkles and common non-living allergens, staying fresher for longer.
  • Specially designed LEAK-Proof stitching that is way stronger than traditional weighted blankets. 

With our Weighted Blanket, you’ll not only beat the winter blues but the winter chill, too. Our blanket is encased in our hypoallergenic Luxury Bamboo Viscose Cover, which is silky-soft, comfortable, and breathable. You’ll stay cosy, relaxed, and bundled up in a big, warm hug. 

Looking for more luxury bedding solutions to beat those winter blues and chills? Click here to discover even more in our Cosy House Collection and treat yourself this winter to quality essentials without breaking the bank. 

We've gone ahead & enclosed a 10% off coupon below for you to use if you'd like to take the plunge and try out our sheets for yourself! To shop our collection & get 10% OFF Use the code 'BLOG10' at checkout.

Resources:

  1. Independent Digital News and Media. (2014, October 24). Seasonal affective disorder: 1 in 3 people suffer from sad. The Independent. Retrieved from https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/seasonal-affective-disorder-1-in-3-people-suffer-from-sad-9814164.html 
  2. Policystudies. (2019, February 19). Winter months, loneliness and isolation amongst older men. Comment and analysis. Retrieved from https://policystudies.blogs.bristol.ac.uk/2019/02/11/winter-months-loneliness-and-isolation-amongst-older-people/ 
  3. Melrose S. Seasonal Affective Disorder: An Overview of Assessment and Treatment Approaches. Depress Res Treat. 2015;2015:178564. doi: 10.1155/2015/178564. Epub 2015 Nov 25. PMID: 26688752; PMCID: PMC4673349. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4673349/ 
  4. Ekholm B, Spulber S, Adler M. A randomized controlled study of weighted chain blankets for insomnia in psychiatric disorders. J Clin Sleep Med. 2020 Sep 15;16(9):1567-1577. doi: 10.5664/jcsm.8636. PMID: 32536366; PMCID: PMC7970589. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32536366/ 
  5. Sylvia LG, Shesler LW, Peckham AD, Grandin T, Kahn DA. Adjunctive deep touch pressure for comorbid anxiety in bipolar disorder: mediated by control of sensory input? J Psychiatr Pract. 2014 Jan;20(1):71-7. doi: 10.1097/01.pra.0000442942.01479.ce. PMID: 24419314. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24419314/ 
  6. Lockett, E. (2021, October 26). Weighted blankets: Benefits, do they work, and more. Healthline. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/anxiety/do-weighted-blankets-work#who-may-benefit\ 
  7. Bestbier L, Williams TI. The Immediate Effects of Deep Pressure on Young People with Autism and Severe Intellectual Difficulties: Demonstrating Individual Differences. Occup Ther Int. 2017 Jan 9;2017:7534972. doi: 10.1155/2017/7534972. PMID: 29097980; PMCID: PMC5612681. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5612681/ 
  8. S Danoff-Burg, H M Rus, L Cruz Martir, R J Raymann, 1203 Worth The Weight: Weighted Blanket Improves Sleep And Increases Relaxation, Sleep, Volume 43, Issue Supplement_1, April 2020, Page A460, https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/zsaa056.1197
Marge Hynes

Written by Marge Hynes