How Weighted Hoodies Help with Stress & Anxiety

In today’s fast-paced day and age, stress and anxiety have become common struggles for many of us. Whether it's work pressures, school studies, or personal challenges, finding simple yet effective ways to manage stress is essential.

While strategies like maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and seeking therapy are effective and well known strategies, sometimes the simplest solutions can make the biggest difference. One surprisingly easy option? Wearing a weighted hoodie.

A weighted hoodie is any hoodie that weighs above 280-320 GSM, they are designed to offer the benefits of a weighted blanket while being portable and stylish. A weighted hoodie is more than just a piece of clothing, it’s a comfort object, a protective layer, and a helpful tool for stress & anxiety relief.

So, how exactly does it help with stress and anxiety?

Benefits of Weighted Hoodies

Hoodies that are weighted (weighted hoodies) provide gentle pressure therapy around the when you wear them, similar to how weighted blankets work. This effect, mimicking a big warm hug, is known as Deep Pressure Stimulation (DPS). Deep Pressure Stimulation has been scientifically proven to calm the nervous system in multiple ways (1):

Reduces stress and anxiety by lowering cortisol levels
Promotes a sense of calm by increasing serotonin and dopamine
Improves focus and attention by reducing sensory overload
Encourages better sleep by promoting relaxation and melatonin production
Provides a grounding effect, especially beneficial for individuals with sensory or anxiety disorders

The Science Behind Deep Pressure Stimulation (DPS)

Deep Pressure Stimulation works by applying consistent, gentle pressure to the body, much like a comforting hug or weighted blanket. This pressure stimulates the body’s nervous system, which is responsible for relaxation and recovery.

For individuals dealing with chronic stress or anxiety, the nervous system (which triggers the “fight or flight” response) can very easily become overactive. Wearing a weighted hoodie can counteract this effect by signaling to the body that it’s safe to relax. Studies have shown that weighted pressure can lower heart rates and blood pressure, leading to an overall sense of well-being (2).

Who Can Benefit from Weighted Hoodies?

Weighted hoodies can benefit anyone, but they are particularly useful for those who experience:

Anxiety disorders: The gentle pressure can help calm racing thoughts and reduce restlessness
Sensory processing disorders: Those with sensory sensitivities may find comfort in the even distribution of weight, helping them feel more grounded
ADHD: Many individuals with ADHD benefit from fidgeting or deep pressure stimulation, as it helps them stay centered and calm (3)
Students and professionals under high stress: Wearing a weighted hoodie during long study or work sessions promotes a sense of calm, aids focus and reduces stress
Sleep difficulties: Weighted clothing can promote better sleep by reducing cortisol and increasing melatonin (1)

Additional Benefits of Weighted Hoodies

Beyond stress and anxiety relief, weighted hoodies also offer other additional benefits:

Enhanced Mood: By reducing stress and increasing serotonin levels, wearing a weighted hoodie can help improve overall mood and wellbeing.
Reduced Muscle Tension: Many people unconsciously hold tension in their shoulders and neck due to stress. The comforting weight of a hoodie can help alleviate this tension.
Portable Comfort: Unlike weighted blankets, which are primarily used at home, a weighted hoodie provides stress relief on the go. Whether you’re travelling, working, or exercising, you can carry a comfortable weighted hoodie wherever you go!

Weighted Hoodie with Built-in Squishies

Now that we understand how weighted hoodies are helpful for stress and anxiety, imagine taking it to the next level, a weighted hoodie with built-in stress-relief features!

Squiddy’s Weighted Hoodie with Built-in Squishies

Squiddy’s weighted hoodie is designed with integrated built-in squishy cuffs, providing an additional outlet for stress and anxiety relief.

The built-in squishies function similar to a fidget toy, allowing anyone to fidget and squish on the cuffs whenever they want!

Why Fidgeting Helps with Stress & Anxiety

Fidgeting is a natural response to stress and anxiety. While it was once seen as a negative habit, scientific studies now reveal that fidgeting can be a beneficial coping mechanism (4). When feeling stressed or anxious, people often find themselves tapping their fingers, shaking their legs, or fidgeting with small objects.

These repetitive motions, like squeezing a stress ball or using a fidget toy, can:

Improve focus
Calm stress
Increase dopamine levels

Squiddy’s weighted hoodie seamlessly integrates these benefits, allowing users to experience both deep pressure stimulation and portable stress relief on the go. Instead of carrying separate fidget toys, wearers can simply use the built-in squishy cuffs to keep their hands occupied.

Additional Benefits of Built-in Squishies:

Provides a sensory distraction to help manage stress.
Improves concentration by offering a subtle outlet for excess energy.
Acts as a calming mechanism during stressful situations.
Enhances relaxation through repeated squishing motions.
Doubles as a fun, engaging feature built into your hoodie cuffs!

Squiddy combines the best of weighted blankets and fidget toys, creating an innovative, stylish, and functional piece of comfort wear.

Weighted Hoodies as a Stress-Relief Staple

Weighted hoodies are more than just casual wear, they are an emotional support tool, a source of comfort, and a simple solution to managing stress and anxiety. From their warmth and softness to their ability to create a sense of security, weighted hoodies offer numerous benefits.

By incorporating deep pressure stimulation, weighted hoodies help reduce anxiety, improve focus, and promote relaxation. Squiddy’s hoodie goes even further, incorporating built-in squishy cuffs for interactive stress relief, an all-in-one solution for anyone looking to ease stress in their daily life.

If you struggle with stress or anxiety, don’t underestimate the power of a good weighted hoodie. Whether it’s an oversized hoodie for extra coziness, a weighted hoodie for deep pressure stimulation, or Squiddy’s hoodie with built-in squishy cuffs, wearing one can be a simple yet effective way to feel more at ease in your day to day life.

References

[1]. Noyed, D. (2023, May 15). Weighted Blanket Benefits. Sleep Foundation. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/best-weighted-blankets/weighted-blanket-benefits

[2]. Penn Medicine. (2022). 4 ways weighted blankets can actually help you. Pennmedicine.org. https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/health-and-wellness/2022/march/weighted-blankets

[3]. Wilson, D. R. (2022, April 22). Weighted Blanket and ADHD: Benefits, Effects, and How to Use. Psych Central. https://psychcentral.com/adhd/weighted-blanket-adhd

[4]. Nelson, J. (2022, October 17). Fidgets: How They Help ADHD, Anxiety, OCD and More. Www.healthcentral.com. https://www.healthcentral.com/condition/adhd/fidgets-anxiety-adhd-ocd

How Weighted Hoodies Help with Stress and Anxiety