Feeling Weighted

By: Nina Singh

Anxiety is the worst. I once described it to a friend—it is that about to fall off a cliff feeling, but constant. Not only is it uncomfortable but it makes simple tasks seem tedious and painful. Worst of all, it can make sleep very difficult. I have had countless nights tossing and turning sometimes brought on by stress but other times there was no trigger. In those moments meditation, CBD, breathing exercises and teas will not do the trick. Because sleep matters to me, as a last resort I’ll pop a Tylenol PM or Xanax. But even after taking those steps I still wake up tired, sometimes groggy. The state of my bed usually reveals whether the sleep was restful or not and most of the time it is a disaster.

Like most people, my mood is usually better when I am well-rested. Even though I go to great lengths to sleep, after hours in bed it never feels like enough. I am dragging myself out of bed each morning, wishing I had another 30 minutes or hour. When I do not sleep well my caffeine intake goes up tenfold. I convinced myself it keeps me from getting sluggish but the downside is that caffeine exacerbates my anxiety.

In an effort to avoid medicating and over-caffeinating, I started exploring alternatives to help with my anxiety and sleep troubles. Beyond herbs, acupuncture and other holistic options, I found weighted blankets were frequently recommended to those with my list of symptoms. It seemed like an option worth exploring. My top points for evaluating blankets were whether they were high quality and sustainable. That led me to Corala.

When unboxing my Corala shipment I was very impressed with the packaging. Having worked in both fashion and beauty I had high standards. And the lined box was an important detail that elevated the overall experience. I was also pleased to have two versatile duvets to choose from and the colors were neutral which worked well with my home’s aesthetic. Additionally, I hadn’t realized the blanket was made using glass beads. This was especially appealing since they offered a more natural option to competitors on the market and touted more even coverage when used.

Eager to put the blanket to use right away I threw the blanket over me while I was reading. That day I had consumed my last coffee around 4pm, which was unusually late for me. I was feeling jittery, but the blanket helped me ground and focus. The anxiousness soon passed, and I felt truly relaxed. Unlike other days when I was this caffeinated, I actually felt tired, so the blanket and I spent our first night together.

For sleep, I found the Corala blanket gave me a feeling of support and comfort which allowed me to relax. I was able to go to sleep faster, even when feeling anxious or jittery. In the morning I noticed my bed and pillows were more intact than ever before. And I felt better rested than my sleep without the weight. I was more often able to wake up early for a work-out class when using this blanket.

Since experiencing this blanket, I have found that my quality of sleep has improved enough that I do not need more than one cup of coffee per day. Similarly, my usage of medication has become less frequent as well. All around, this blanket has transformed my life and helped with my anxiety levels. I couldn’t imagine not having one! Before you go buy one, make sure you determine the right weight for your body. Corala’s blanket is 20 lbs. In my research, it is recommended that the weighted blanket represent 10% of your body weight. Corala was a bit heavier than 10% for me. But I adjusted accordingly, if it got too heavy, I removed the blanket or repositioned it. Secondly, when you are dressing the blanket make sure you have a friend nearby to help. The weight of the blanket can make it difficult for one person to put on the duvet. But once you have it on, you’ll be excited to cuddle up, especially under the winter duvet. Plus, since it’s a queen size blanket, you’ll both fit.

**Corala was gifted to us to review.