(ADVERTISEMENT – THIS POST IS A COLLABORATION WITH Wesomnia BUT, AS ALWAYS, WORDS AND OPINIONS ARE MY OWN)
Throughout my life, sleep has never really been a friend of mine. While only having a couple of hours rest a night was great during my carefree clubbing days, and it certainly stood me in good stead for becoming a parent; just sometimes I’d like to climb into bed at night knowing I didn’t have a battle on my hands. A battle with myself.
So when I read about Wesomnia, a new Swedish brand that specialises in sustainably made weighted blankets, which research suggests provides a complementary aid to a good night’s sleep, I was intrigued to find out more.
Founded by psychologist of over twenty years, Ulrika Dehlryd, here’s what she had to tell me about her beautiful products and what her own top tips are for sleeping well.
Can you start by telling us a little about your background and experiences? How did this lead to Wesomnia being founded?
Over the last two decades working in both primary care centres and as a private clinician, I have personally encountered many people suffering from stress, anxiety, and insomnia.
I believe that by helping ourselves to get a better natural sleep we are taking an important step to combatting some of these issues.
Throughout Sweden weighted blankets, usually made of metal chains, are used regularly in hospitals to aid patients, but I wanted to create an alternative, something that was still highly functional, sustainably made but felt incredibly luxurious too.
How are Wesomnia blankets made, what materials do you use and what makes them different?
At Wesomnia the cloth every blanket is made from is produced by a local, family-owned wool factory, Klippan Yilefabrik. Founded in 1879, they are a very soft blend of merino and lambswool, and to get the weight just right, they are then hand filled with locally grown Swedish wheat.
By choosing these natural materials it also means the blankets can regulate temperature themselves. When it is cold, they isolate the heat, and when its warm they ‘breathe’, meaning Wesomnia blankets can be enjoyed all year round.
How does a Wesomnia weighted blanket work and what is the best way to use them?
The gentle pressure a weighted blanket places on the body sends a soothing signal to our brain which makes us feel safe. This in turn triggers our calmness hormones which helps us to relax.
As a psychologist I can’t say that weighted blankets are a sleeping treatment, but they certainly help some people to relax which is a must when it comes to falling asleep and enjoying a deeper sleep with fewer interruptions.
Based on this research we have chosen to make two different Wesomnia blankets in three different colours, ‘sand’, ‘anthracite grey’ and ‘light grey’. The large one weighs 10 kilos and is perfect to have as a bedspread on top of your ordinary blanket, it covers your whole body and really triggers that feeling of security.
The smaller, 5 kilo blankets meanwhile, can easily be moved from the sofa, your work desk through to your bedroom. It is also suitable for adding extra weight when sleeping if you need it.
What are your top three tips for a good night’s sleep and what are some of the most popular misconceptions?
There are many misplaced theories when it comes to getting a good night’s sleep, but I personally try to stick to three simple rules:
- Don’t drink caffeine later than three o’clock in the afternoon
- Try to eat healthily and be physically active every day, even if it’s just for 20 minutes
- Keep all screens out of the bedroom at night and read a book before bedtime instead
What do you hope for Wesomnia in the future, what can we look forward to seeing from you next?
Sleep disorder and insomnia is, unfortunately, a widespread problem and something we have seen increase even more over the last eighteen months.
Even though my youngest daughter and I are just beginning on our design journey, we are keen to further understand and develop more products, that are made in response to our bodies psychological and physiological needs.
We are very proud of the positive responses we receive from our customers and the relief and comfort from daily stresses and anxieties Wesomnia blankets provide.
Thank you, Ulrika, for taking the time to chat with me, I am looking forward to trying out a Wesomnia blanket for myself.
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
To find out more visit the Wesomnia website, prices start at 3,780 kr with worldwide shipping.
Image of Ulrika courtesy of Wesomnia, all other images by Nicola Capper.
Wesomnia kindly gifted the product featured in this post, but as always, all words and opinions are my own.
Like this post? Then read my chat with Danish interior designer, stylist and TV personality, Katrine Martensen-Larsen, as she prepares for the launch of her latest book, ‘The Christmas Season – Created by Scandinavian Artists.’
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