It only takes two steps to know how to make a weighted pillow. This can prove useful because you can choose your own size and shape accordingly. Much like a weighted blanket, a weighted pillow offers many advantages.
You can use the weighted pillow not just for sleep but also while doing other tasks to provide comfort. This article will guide you on making one and the benefits that you can get with use. After all, you can never have too many pillows.
Complete Guide For Making A Weighted Pillow
Step #1. Sewing the case
The first step for making a weighted pillow is sewing the case for it. You can use any pattern and size you want with any fabric as long as it will match your purpose. For example, you want a size that can accommodate you comfortably at night, so the cover should feel gentle on the skin, such as cotton fabrics.
For a typical pillow, you can sew a square or rectangular one. Cut two fabric pieces with half an inch of allowance for the seam. You can modify the size depending on the pillow you want to have, but a good tip is cutting the same size to your intended pillow if you want a snug weighted pillow.
Sew the two fabric pieces on their right side and use pins to help secure them into place if needed. Then, turn the pillow right-side-out and push the corners out to make stuffing easier. As you notice, this basic pillowcase technique would be useful even when making other types such as backrest pillows.
Step #2. Stuffing
At this part, making a weighted pillow is similar to how you’ll make other pillows and stuffing them; it would be like how you fill pillows with polyfill and other materials. However, you will use plastic pellets as your stuffing to weigh the pillow at around 10% of your body weight.
The number of pellets you’ll use depend on how heavy you want your weighted pillow will be. Once you finished stuffing it, you can sew it shut by hand with a blind stitch. Secure the end tightly and backstitch at both ends as additional locks.
Besides making the case yourself, you can modify your other pillows and fill them with pellets instead. Gently rip out the seams of the pillow and fill it until you’re satisfied with the weight. You can even experiment with how you want to fill the pillow.
Why Use A Weighted Pillow
Everyone is familiar with weighted blankets, but did you know that adding a weighted pillow to your nightly routine also offers benefits. You can create different weighted pillows that will suit you perfectly because you can make any case and fill it yourself. For example, some users prefer sleeping with a weighted body pillow because it generates the same soothing effect as a hug.
You can use plastic pellets to add weight or a mix of polyfill and glass beads for a different feel. Sleeping with a weighted pillow helps release serotonin and dopamine, which are essentially feel-good hormones. Therefore, you will feel less agitated and relieved of stress and anxiety.
You can also make a weighted neck pillow or lap pillow if you want portability. Studies have shown how using weighted items can be therapeutic, even for kids. So besides sleeping, you can also have your weighted pillow on your lap while you do other chores or use a weighted beck pillow with glass beads to ease neck and shoulder tension.
How To Soothe Your Mind For Better Sleep
Besides using weighted pillows and blankets, you can also do other practices to ease your stress and sleep better. At night, practice slowing your mind by breathing gently. Breathe in deeply and breathe out slowly to help you relax your body. You should feel your heartbeat slowing down, which will help calm your mind to have a relaxing night.
But besides the thoughts, you should encourage your body to relax. Using pillows can help relieve tension, but you should also relax your muscles. You can do this by allowing your body to go limp while breathing deeply.
Squeeze and release each area of your body, starting from the toes to your forehead. Some even use this opportunity to meditate and focus their mind on their breathing. If it’s hard not to get distracted and relax, try tuning out your thoughts by repeating a mantra.
Conclusion
Adding weight on pillows and blankets can be therapeutic. But did you know that you can learn how to make a weighted pillow yourself? You can make a basic case and fill it with something such as plastic pellets to add weight.
However, you can also remove the stuffing of an old pillow and fill it with a mix of pellets and other materials like polyester for a different feel. You can even make lap pillows and neck pillows with weight using the same easy steps. Hugging or using a weighted pillow helps us release happy hormones and relieve stress as we sleep.
However, don’t forget to do practices to relax your mind and body. This is important to fall asleep better and get quality sleep, so don’t overlook relaxing your muscles and meditation. Weighted pillows can help you feel good, but always practice calmness and relaxation at night as an addition.