I’m super excited to be able to tell you about today’s giveaway. Huggaroo has generously offered to donate all three of these prizes to one lucky winner.
Please note: Today’s giveaway is ONLY OPEN TO US RESIDENTS.
When it comes to sensory processing and even emotional regulation, the right sensory tools can make all the difference. 
Sensory Tools to Help Your Child:
Weighted Blankets
Weighted blankets serve many purposes. Here are some of the potential benefits for adults and children:
- firm, gentle pressure provides proprioceptive sensory feedback
- eases insomnia
- produces a calming effect for some who have sensory processing disorder
- lowers stress
- reduces anxiety
- improves focus in those with ADHD
- better overall quality of sleep
- helps with emotional regulation and mood
- can be used for other physical and mental health concerns such as restless leg syndrome, PTSD, autism, OCD, and fibromyalgia
A good night’s sleep is so important for us to function the next day, not to mention our overall physical and mental health. Using a weighted blanket can help you fall asleep faster, sleep longer, and wake up feeling more rested.
Weighted blankets are scientifically proven to lower blood pressure and reduce anxiety.
It accomplishes all of these impressive things through something called deep touch pressure stimulation therapy. 
What is deep touch pressure stimulation therapy?
Deep touch pressure stimulation therapy is firm but gentle pressure applied through squeezing, hugs, or holding techniques that relax the nervous system. This produces a calming, soothing effect that can lower anxiety.
This pressure can be applied with an actual hug or through the hands such as a massage or through tools or products such as weighted blankets, neck wraps, compression sheets, or specialized clothing.
Deep touch pressure stimulation increases serotonin and dopamine, the “feel good” neurotransmitters and lowers cortisol, the stress hormone.
The pressure of a weighted blanket in some ways recreates the feeling of a hug. Now more than ever, that is so needed. This can be so reassuring for kids who may feel anxious at night without their parent.
When it comes to weighted sensory tools, it’s important that you get the right weight. Weighted blankets should not be used with infants and toddlers or those with certain health conditions. Consult your doctor before beginning to use a weighted blanket for yourself or your child.
Compression Sheets
Compression sheets work in much the same way as weighted blankets do. They provide firm, constant pressure in a gentle way.
They also offer essentially the same benefits because they provide deep touch pressure stimulation.
It’s a bit like swaddling a baby. Of course, it isn’t safe to use these sheets with infants or toddlers. You want to ensure that your child can safely crawl out of the sheet themselves.
While the obvious benefits are improved sleep, lowered anxiety, and sensory needs being met, these can also be used during the day to calm your child if you sense that a sensory meltdown is coming on.
The Huggaroo Pouch compression sheet fits your child’s bed like a sock, open on both top and bottom but snug around. It’s smooth and stretchy, offering tactile and proprioceptive sensory feedback. 
It’s a great alternative to a weighted blanket for those that don’t want the heavy weight or heat of a weighted blanket.
Neck Wraps
The benefits of weighted neck wraps are again similar to those of weighted blankets. One of the nice things about neck wraps is that they are more portable, and can therefore be used at home, in school, or in other settings.
Some of my kids with sensory processing disorder have found that neck wraps help them when they need focus and concentration such as when they are writing an exam. 
Weighted neck wraps can be particularly beneficial for those with sensory processing disorder, autism, or ADHD. They can help reduce excessive movement and provide more focus and calming.
I like the Huggaroo Weighted Neck Wraps. They are microwavable so they can be warmed. The combination of the proprioceptive pressure and the warmth is particularly soothing.
These are available in unscented or a subtle lavender scent which adds to the calming effect.
You can also set them in your child’s lap so they can double as a lap pad!
Sensory Tools Giveaway
The winner of today’s giveaway will receive a 7 lb. weighted blanket, a Huggaroo Pouch compression sheet, and a neck wrap!
(remember that today’s giveaway is only open to US residents)
Check out all 12 Giveaways. You can enter them all!
What if I could make it super simple for your family to enjoy the holiday season together with the help of a variety of fun activities? This adorable Christmas fun jar is a great way to come up with activities your family can enjoy during the holiday season with very little effort on your part.
Directions:
My friend Courtney from Click-it-up-a-Notch has designed a course called 
I know that this Christmas and the weeks leading up to it might look very different than you’re wishing they did. But I also know that you can make the best of them.
Courtney has kindly offered to donate one course membership. Enter for your chance to win below:
Today’s giveaway is a collection of my favourite things.
(I’ll be contacting the winner to see what skin shade you need.)
As a sign of my appreciation, I decided to host 12 Days of Christmas giveaways. I know 2020 has been a hard year for many of us. I also know that a few free prizes aren’t going to make up for all that loss. But they might bring a bit of extra cheer. They are a nice distraction too.
The great thing about this game is that everyone is a winner as each person is able to keep the prizes that they unwrap. There will of course be some people that end up with more treats that others, but that’s all part of the fun!
This activity doesn’t have to cost much to put together. You can look for sales on small candies the day after Valentine’s Day or Hallowe’en or right after Christmas or you can purchase things at the dollar store. 
