One of the companies that focuses on weighted cuddly toys in the Netherlands is DIQIE. “I wanted to do something for children to improve their quality of life,” says founder Berdien de Witte, who, in addition to cuddly toys, also sells weighted vests. “But it had to be something they would really use. A weighted vest like that is very visible, so it may not be pleasant for everyone. A cuddly toy just looks like all other cuddly toys, but is much heavier. It can be taken to bed , but also helps during the day.”
Soothing effect
The cuddly toys are primarily intended for children. “I focus on children with a ‘label’, so to speak, but they are also for children who just like to calm down sometimes or feel safe. There are also adults who like it. Myself, for example,” she laughs.
Weighted products
In addition to weighted cuddly toys, there are also other weighting products that can help calm your brain. There is a weighted vest, a weighted collar, a weighted blanket and a smaller lap blanket. They all have the same function: to calm their users.
Deep pressure stimulation
The weight of the hug would decrease the stress hormone. “This is also called deep pressure stimulation,” explains body-oriented therapist and coach Marlous de Boer. She uses a lot of weighting products in her daily work. “Many people with overstimulation complaints or traumas benefit from this. You experience a kind of gentle pressure and that stimulates a feeling of safety. It can therefore have a beneficial effect to use such a product.”
“Something physically happens to your body,” she continues. “You experience the pressure around the body. A signal goes to your brain and to your nervous system. There are two branches: the activating branch and the relaxation branch. If you activate the latter, your heart rate decreases, your breathing becomes calm and you relax. you. A weighted cuddly toy or blanket can have that effect on a person, from young to old.”
Although De Witte from DIQIE fully believes in her product, she keeps her fingers crossed. “Of course I am not a doctor,” says De Witte. “So I don’t want to say that it has a positive effect on everyone, or that it always solves medical complaints. It works well for some people and not for others. But in general, the sounds I hear are very positive.”
2023-10-06 16:02:20
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