There are few things I love more in life than napping, and if I can do this wrapped in a warm and snuggly blanket, even better — especially in the colder weather. I’ve never met a cozy nook I didn’t like. So when I came across the Hug Sleep Sleep Pod Move, which claims to be a “cocoon swaddle blanket for anxious sleepers,” I knew I was in for a treat.
I’ve tried weighted blankets in the past to elevate my napping experience and ease my anxiety, but I found they make me feel quite claustrophobic due to how heavy they are. The Sleep Pod Move, on the other hand, is lightweight and breathable, and it claims to use Deep Touch Pressure Therapy to help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer — lofty aspirations for such a tiny package. And tiny it was. When I first took it out of the packet, my initial reaction was “How am I supposed to get into that, let alone sleep in it?” Simply put, it looks like a spandex tube dress with a hole for your feet and head (it’s actually 89% polyester and 11% spandex).
The Sleep Pod Move is a great alternative to a weighted blanket, and we found that it was perfect for a daytime nap. Its light and stretchy material was actually quite comforting and contributed to a deep and restful sleep. The optional hood to block out the light is an added bonus.
There are different options and sizes, depending on your body type and preference. I opted for the hooded version, which is big enough to cover your whole face if you are so inclined, though why anyone would want to do that is beyond me. There’s also an option to have your feet enclosed or open to roam free; I chose the latter. You put it on as you would a pair of pants, pull it up to your chest and tuck your arms in until your body is enclosed in the speciality fabric, which both stretches and compresses. It’s designed to simulate the feeling of being hugged, so if spooning is your thing, then this is for you.
The founders of this family-owned business appeared on “Shark Tank” and struck a deal with Mark Cuban and Lori Greiner, who believed in the science behind the Sleep Pod Move’s anxiety-reducing claims. In fact, all sharks offered the husband-and-wife duo a deal. Needless to say, I was excited to try it.
What I liked about it
I first tried this out for a daytime nap on my sofa and found that the hooded part was an effective alternative to wearing an eye mask, which I’m generally not a fan of either. Though the fabric felt a little restrictive as I shuffled over to the sofa, I was surprised just how stretchy it really was as I got into a comfortable position with ease. As promised on Hug Sleep’s site, I very much felt like I was in a cozy cocoon as I drifted off to sleep and genuinely felt my anxiety drift away.
Despite construction going on in the apartment next door, I managed to fall asleep quite quickly and didn’t wake up until my alarm went off after a truly refreshing nap. In fact, every time I used this for some quick shut-eye during the day, I fell into a deep and restful sleep until woken up by my phone’s alarm clock.
The material was extremely soft, so I felt cozy without overheating, and it’s stretchy enough to throw an arm out if you like.
What I didn’t like about it
The Sleep Pod Move had a weird smell when I took it out of the packet, but thankfully it’s machine-washable and this went away after one wash. I wasn’t able to sleep through the night in this because I’m a full leg-out-of-the-covers type of person, and it wasn’t possible with this on, so I did find it a little restrictive while sleeping. And you can forget about going to the bathroom or getting up in the middle of the night for any reason. I was scared I was going to fall over and hurt myself, and I was too sleepy to take it off and put it on again.
At $120, the price point is also a little more than I would be willing to pay for what limited use I would get out of it, but the sale price softened the blow a little — and you can take this with you anywhere you go, unlike a bulky weighted blanket that would require its own suitcase.
Bottom line
The Sleep Pod Move is definitely not for everyone, but I can say that I had some of the best naps in recent memory while wearing it. It did have a calming sensation on me, as I was able to fall asleep faster than usual despite all of the thoughts racing through my head. If you suffer from anxiety and it affects your sleep, then you should definitely consider the Sleep Pod Move. And since it also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, you can try it risk-free.