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At the height of the pandemic, I found myself shopping online for just about anything and everything under the sun. From the comfort of my bed (the dawn of sleep rotting), it felt like the world was at my fingertips! With an increased interest in Deep Pressure Stimulation (a practice that relaxes the nervous system when added pressure is applied) running every search engine, I went down the rabbit hole of searching for the best weighted blankets. As a shopping editor, I didn't find it hard to narrow down the list. From chunky knit weighted blankets for the summer to glass bead-filled options in the summer, I have tested dozens of blankets to help me feel grounded and relaxed in my home.
But, as soothing and cozy as weighted blankets prove to be, maneuvering them around your home is a bit of a workout. If you've ever tried pulling a box of weighted blankets from your attic (rookie mistake, I know) or dragging your blanket from your bedroom to your desk chair while you work, you'll know why I jumped at the opportunity to test a product that literally takes the weight off my shoulders: Quiet Mind's Weighted Pillow.
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Read on to learn why our editors take this weighted wonder everywhere.
The Design
The packaging is enough to convince you that Quiet Mind took their time creating the pillow from start to finish. Shaped like a cube with rounded edges, this innovative pillow has a plush texture similar to a shearling fabric. It's incredibly soft and calming to run your hands through the plush cover for a sensory experience. The best part? The cover is removable and machine washable! After over 25 product iterations, the inside of the pillow is a blend of shredded foam and glass beads that are arranged to distribute weight evenly. Squeezing it is enjoyable, but the pillow is also firm enough to hug to your body. This cuddly accessory is available in two colors, Blueberry (a shade away from navy blue) and Agave Green, and in three sizes; small, medium, and large.
Quiet Mind Pillow Specs
Retailing from $179 to $199, depending on size, Quiet Mind's weighted pillow is an investment you won't regret.
- Small: 6lbs, 14" x 14." Suggested User's Weight: 40 - 135 lbs, but a welcome everyday lap companion for lounging.
- Medium: 9lb, 16" x 16." Suggested User's Weight: 135 - 180 lbs, but the best hug for anyone who wants a boost of serenity.
- Large: 12lb, 18" x 18." Suggested User's Weight: 181+ lbs, but the big leagues for anyone who wants instant, pervasive calm.
The Benefits of Using a Weighted Pillow
I love that Quiet Mind describes its product as a stress ball for the body. The idea is that hugging the comforting, cushy weight shifts your nervous system from flight or fight to rest and digest. The pillow is basically the stuffed animal you're not embarrassed to travel with! If you're someone who wakes up multiple times to fling your weighted blanket off in the night, the Quiet Mind won't make you feel hot or overwhelmed. Plus, the pillow has a peaceful pressure you can tote around with you, since it's so easy to move. You'll find yourself reaching for it on your busiest days—and on your least busy ones, whether you're decompressing or watching a marathon of your favorite show.
Hugging the pillow relaxes your body, but the fact that it feels like you're being hugged back helps relieve more stress and delivers a euphoric feeling. It's the ultimate endorphin! You'll get to the end of the day realizing your cortisol is down, serotonin and dopamine up a notch, and going to bed with a quiet body and mind.
Why We're Obsessed
I wasn't a fan of stuffed animals growing up, but with the Quiet Mind pillow, I finally get it. Much to my surprise, from the moment I took my medium-sized weighted pillow out of the box, it has been by my side constantly. My weighted blanket is folded at the bottom of my bed and my other blanket is untouched on my couch. The pillow is everything I need and more!
Sitting down and meditating isn't my cup of tea, so I was concerned that self-soothing with the pillow might require a huge ceremony. But reading the instructions, it turns out using it correctly is as simple as placing it on my lap, no frills or zen skills needed! The cooling properties of the pillow allow me to keep it on my lap while I'm working from home or next to my side in bed. While there are definitely times thoughts race, when this is on my lap, I can confidently say my obsession with this pillow is the only thing on my mind. Obsessed with the pillow, I tapped House Beautiful's SEO editor, Kate McGregor, to test it out herself.
"I am someone who would live under their weighted blanket if given the opportunity, but a large throw can be cumbersome to have all the time, and is too hot to use during the summer," McGregor explains. "The Quiet Mind weighted pillow felt like the right natural extension to my anti-anxiety routines."
She found the large size of the pillow perfect to hug while meditating or keep on her lap while working from home, but too dense to sleep with. "It wasn't the right shape to wrap my arms around lying down," she says. But what you cuddle up with, she points out, is a personal preference: "While this was my experience sleeping, it’s the right size for those who like something that can cover their entire torso if needed," McGregor says.
Interested in trying it yourself? Quiet Mind offers a 30-day trial period for testing out your potential main squeeze.
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Medgina Saint-Elien covers everything your home needs. She writes about exciting new product launches, hands-on reviews, and the "lightbulb" moments in every maker's story. In overseeing key HB editorial franchises, including the Live Better Awards, Saint-Elien champions the work of BIPOC entrepreneurs in the design and beauty industries. In addition to House Beautiful, her work has been published in Byrdie, Snapchat, and more. Outside of work, the writer and poet can be found documenting her travels on social media and saving memes for future use.
