IN SOME WAYS, THE IDEA OF SHEL- TERING IN PLACE WAS BORN IN THE EARLY 1980S, WHEN FUTURIST FAITH POPCORN COINED THE TERM “COCOONING” TO DESCRIBE THE TREND OF PEOPLE RETREATING TO THEIR HOMES TO SHIELD THEMSELVES FROM THE HARSH REALITIES OF THE OUTSIDE WORLD.

It was a time when AIDS was identified, there was the attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan, and the stock market crashed. People took to home remodeling because tech made it possible to stay entertained with shopping, music and movies online, and Martha Stewart built an empire around the vision of inhabiting a perfect nesting place.

Even as some rebel against forced isolation, the idea of cocooning has grown naturally over time, as the desire for safety, comfort and privacy has been fueled by pandemic fears, political division and natural disasters. It’s enough to drive a person into fetal position. Into this new world order comes something most symbolic of protection, the blanket.

From the time we are newborns, we are swaddled in lightweight blankets to help us feel safe and secure. Over time, children naturally seek comfort objects to provide psychological security at bedtime or in unusual, scary situations. These comfort objects can be a stuffed animal, favorite toy or, as in the case of the “Charlie Brown” character Linus, a security blanket.

Nesters often turn their bedrooms into sanctuaries with calming, luxurious bedding. Now that there’s a chill in the air, it’s time to consider the newest forms of blankets for adults, one that enhances relaxation, and one that literally lets users get their beauty rest.

WEIGHTED BLANKETS

Weighted blankets emerged in the pediatric community, and by 1999 were being used by therapists to help some mental-health patients with sleep disorders and anxiety. Research suggested that the pressure of a weighted blanket creates a physical connection similar to a hug, which releases oxytocin, a hormone that calms the nervous system, slows the heart and reduces blood pressure, causing the body to relax.

People who tried the blankets, usually filled with glass or plastic beads, wrote testimonials about enjoying their “best night of sleep ever,” and by winter of 2018, the Gravity Blanket—which earned more than $4 million in sales when it launched via Kickstarter the year before—became one of the must-have gifts of the Christmas season.

In addition to delivering overall comfort, weighted blankets are being used to reduce or manage sleep and nervous disorders, depression, post- traumatic stress disorder, fibromyalgia and restless leg syndrome.

The deep touch pressure the blankets provide helps to release two brain chemicals, dopamine and serotonin, which have a calming effect, as well as melatonin, which promotes sleep. The feeling of calm also helps to reduce levels of cortisol, a stress hormone with a negative impact on blood sugar levels, digestion and immunity.

In a 2015 study published in the Journal of Sleep Medicine and Disor- ders, people suffering from insomnia reported they slept longer and woke fewer times during the night when using a weighted blanket. The same results were reported in children suffering from attention-deficit/hyper- activity disorder (ADHD).

Experts suggest choosing a blanket about 10 percent of your body weight, such as 15 pounds for a person weighing 150 pounds. The heavier they are, the more they cost. For those who get hot during the night, Mosaic Weighted Blankets offers one made with Coolmax, a breathable, moisture-wicking fabric that helps users stay cool and dry.

Those who have sleep apnea or other difficulty breathing should not use a weighted blanket because the pressure may impede breathing.

INFRARED SAUNA BLANKETS

Just as the name implies, infrared sauna blankets bring a salon-style detoxifying sauna treatment into the privacy of your own home. These blankets rely on infrared light to warm the body from within, detoxifying the body through perspiration.

Although not meant to sleep in for long periods, using these cozy sleeping bag-style blankets also helps to boost the immune system while calming the nervous system, speeding metabolism and alleviating pain, all attributes of the weighted blankets.

Where these blankets differ is in the anti-aging properties of the infrared light, which boosts collagen levels and enhances circulation.

The result is similar to that of getting moderate exercise, and the infrared blankets achieve it at controllable lower temperatures of about 120 to 140 degrees F., lower than the 150 to 180 degree heat of conventional saunas, for those who can’t tolerate such heat.

These technology-driven blankets range from $200 to $500, pricier than a standard blanket, but much more affordable in the long term than trips to a spa.

For safety reasons, first-timers should limit their time in the blanket to 10 to 15 minutes, and slowly work their way up to a suggested time of 20 to 30 minutes, three or four days a week. When done you may feel lightheaded, so take your time standing up, and allow your body to cool down before showering. Those with health conditions such as high blood pressure or heart problems should consult a doctor before using an infrared blanket.