Poly Pellets (plastic beads)

Poly-Pellets Polypropylene Stuffing is the perfect product to create posed dolls, teddy bears, weighted blankets and decorative toys. They add the flexibility and weight necessary to shape stuffed crafts into lifelike positions. They are commonly used in arms, legs and the lower torso area. The Pellets add weight and flexibility, thus enabling the filled portion of the craft to be placed easily into a posed position. They can be used to fill an entire area or in combination with polyester fiber fill. Designed for decorative dolls and crafts. Not for use in children's toys. 2 lb- To fill, pour the Pellets slowly into the area to be filled and work them into position by hand. To determine the proper amount to use in an area, experiment until the desired flexibility is found. Also used for making corn toss or baggo game bags. Weighted blankets are essentially the consumer product realization of a concept known as pressure therapy, which was introduced into human medicine by Dr. Temple Grandin. During her time as a cattle researcher, Grandin learned that applying pressure to the sides of agitated cows could calm them down, and she went on to invent a human version of the "squeeze chutes" that were being used on ranches. Grandin used (and continues to use) her padded Hug Box to treat her own anxiety, and to this day, it remains a common therapy for children on the autism spectrum. And while weighted blankets don't apply as much direct pressure as an actual hug machine, they're far more affordable, take up a lot less space, and frankly, fit more neatly into most peoples' lives. According to the University of Pennsylvania, the feeling of touch and pressure on one's skin can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which can help relax your muscles and lower your heart rate, easing the feeling of tension one gets from anxiety. To be clear, a weighted blanket is not a cure for anxiety, and is no substitute for professional mental health treatment if you suffer from an anxiety disorder, but it can still help relax your body, ease you to sleep, and provide a respite in times of stress. So do weighted blankets actually work? As you might expect, many people swear by them, and many others don't feel any effects when using them, but separate studies have shown that they help many autistic children sleep, can keep patients calmer during oral surgery, and yes, can reduce anxiety symptoms in many adults. Personally and anecdotally, I don't generally like sleeping under them, but I use one on the couch almost every evening to wind down at the end of the day. Your own experiences may vary. If you're on the fence about buying one, try thinking back to the last time you were at the dentist, and had the heavy lead apron laid across your chest for X-rays. If you find that to be a pleasant sensation, there's a pretty good chance that you'll like a weighted blanket.