Gravid Weighted Blanket Review

Disclaimer: I was sent this product free of charge in order to to review it and share my honest thoughts on it with you.

Im going to start this review by getting a little real with you. The past two years of my life have been a bit of a roller coaster. There have been a lot of changes, a lot of stress and a lot of sleepless nights. Ive gone through break up of my marriage and all that entails making sure my daughter is thriving (she is by the way), adjusting to being a single mother with a single income and all that comes with a looming divorce. Then there is the circus that is dating in your 40s. Throw in some work stress and, oh, lets not forget perimenopause, and, well you get the picture. And I know Im not alone. Lots of us are going through lots of things.

Stress, anxiety and restless nights are something that many of us live with. Until about 18 months ago I had never had a panic attack in my life. Sleep hadnt really been something I struggled with (with the exception of those sleepless new mom nights) and I always felt like I was able to manage my stress pretty well. Then things changed and I knew I had to find ways to deal with my stress and anxiety while it was still manageable. And so I have. I do all of the obvious things. I try to eat well. I exercise. I talk to people that are helpful. And I do my best to sleep well because sleep is so essential to physical and mental health.

One of the tools that has been on my radar for a while now is a weighted blanket. Ive heard some positive feedback from a few people I know. Ive read a lot about how and why they work. Ive even gone online and had one in my cart before. There were a couple of things that held me back. First, I was overwhelmed with the options and didnt know which one to get. When you are coping with anxiety decisions are not your friend! Also, I often have a hard time investing in myself. I dont hesitate to spend $300 a month on my daughters music lesson but I will agonize about buying that cheap $10 necklace Ive had my eye on for months. So when I was given the opportunity to receive a Gravid Weighted Blanket I did not hesitate to say yes.

Why a Weighted Blanket?

Youve probably heard about weighted blankets before. They can be a great tool to help with sleep, anxiety and stress. I think the simplest way to explain how they help is to compare using one to getting a hug. Of course there is a little more to it than that but I think most of us can stop and think about how much power there is in a hug and how having an aid that stimulates that sensation can be helpful. If you want to get a little more into the science of it there is some great information on the Gravid website where they talk about Deep Touch Pressure Stimulation.

Deep pressure encourages the production of serotonin, a hormone involved in elevating mood. Serotonin is also a precursor to melatonin, a hormone responsible in the regulation of sleep. In other words, deep pressure therapy can play a positive role to help with both mood and sleep.

Why Gravid?

Gravid Weighted Blankets specifically were on my radar for a few reasons:

• I had already read a number of positive reviews about Gravid.
• I love the he 101 night money back guarantee.
• Shipping is free.
• The quality appeared to be better than many of the others I looked at.
• The price, for the quality, is reasonable.
• I preferred the look of Gravid over other weighted blankets. I also preferred the design which I will get more into during the review.

My Review of the Gravid Weighted Blanket

So, I received the Gravid 3.0 weighted blanket to review. There are two weights for this blanket 15 or 20 pounds. There is a chart on the site to help you determine which weight is best for you. The 15 pound blanket was my fit. The blanket is available in twin or queen size. You can use the blanket on its own, it is a classic grey colour and looks just fine by itself. You also have a couple of options if you want to also get a cover. There is the EcoBREEZE cover which is a silky, breathable cooling cover that provides ideal temperature control and good for hot sleepers. The other cover is the MicroPlush which is, as you would expect, soft and snugly. This is the cover I chose and I knew I would be spending some time snuggling on the couch with this blanket. Both covers are grey and both the blanket and the covers are machine washable.

The day I opened up the blanket and the cover I had actually just finished washing my other bedding and had spent a good 45 minutes fighting to get my duvet back into its cover. I was not prepared for another fight. So when I pulled the blanket out of the box the first thing I noticed was a zipper that ran all along the edges. Im pretty sure I let out an audible sigh of relief at that point. I didnt have to try and wrestle the blanket (and a heavy blanket at that) inside a cover!

So, the blanket (and cover) are stylish. Getting the cover on was a breeze. But whats it like actually using it? My first experience using the Gravid weighted nlanket was on the couch while I watched a movie. And for me, this was heaven. Really. I ALWAYS have to have something on my lap when Im sitting on the couch. A pillow, or a blanket, whatever is handy. I dont know exactly why, its just a comfort thing and Ive always been that way. Having a blanket with substance on me has been so soothing. It helps me relax and focus on what Im watching. And if youve never used a weighted blanket before (like myself) its actually recommended that this is exactly how you use it before you begin using it to sleep with all night.

Iv been using the Gravid blanket now on my bed at night for several nights. It can take some time to get use to (thats why they have the awesome 101 night return policy) but so far so good here. Im that person that cannot sleep, even on the hottest summer nights without a blanket. I cant even get away with just a sheet in the summer. I need that security and sensation of something more in order to relax and sleep. So, for me the transition is going well. And, even with all that extra weight I have not found myself too warm at all. And for someone going through perimenopause and frequent night sweats thats surprising!

The other thing I want to add to this review is that I am somewhat claustrophobic and that was one of the other reasons I put off getting a weighted blanket for so long. I was a little worried that I might feel too constrained or restrained under one but I havent found that to be the case at all. The weight is soothing and I am finding it so much easier to get comfortable in bed instead of tossing and turning as I normally do.

If youve been considering buying a weighted blanket but are on the fence like I was for a while, I can tell you that this has been a very positive experience for me. In fact I am probably going to order my daughter the Gravid Junior soon. The Gravid 3.0 is a little heavy for kids under 12 but the Junior model weighs 7 pounds and is suitable for kids (or small adults) between 50 and 100 pounds.

How to Buy (and a coupon code)

If you are a hands on shopper the good news is that there are 50 retail locations across Canada that you can pick up a Gravid Weighted Blanket. Of course you can always order online directly through Gravid. Shipping is free and right now they have a great Gift Bundle just in time for Christmas. You can pick up the Gravid Weighted Blanket AND your choice of cover for $198.00 for the 15 pound blanket or $208.00 for the 20 pound. Thats a really sweet deal. And Im thrilled to be able to over my readers a coupon code for an additional 10% off their Gravid purchase. Just use code SHAYNA10 at checkout to get your discount.

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