A weighted blanket may be just what every stressed-out college student needs this Winter. They're thought to ease anxiety by hugging your body [1], which helps reduce cortisol levels, while triggering the release of the feel-good hormones oxytocin and serotonin. Oh, and they're super cosy — but priced at a couple hundred dollars or more, they're not exactly budget-friendly. At least not until now.
Enter the Plush 15 lb Weighted Blanket [2] ($139) from Urban Outfitters. This beautiful blanket is made with a soft, dark grey fleece that's sure to match any dorm or apartment, no matter the colour scheme. It evenly distributes 15 pounds onto your body — a good starting point, since weighted blankets should be about 10 percent of your body weight [3]. And it's even machine-washable [4]!
If that sounds like everything your holiday dreams are made of, add it to your own list — then settle in for a warm, restful Winter.