The Sleep Pod is a new take on an old idea. For generations, we’ve swaddled our young to make them feel comforted and calm. Why would this feeling go away as we get older?
What Hug Sleep has done is create an adult swaddle. A cross between a tight-fitting sleeping bag and a weighted blanket, the Sleep Pod makes you feel like you’re in a nice warm hug that’s never-ending.
This sounds like a dream come true! Unless of course, you get claustrophobic in tight, confined spaces…. then this might sound like a nightmare…
But don’t lose hope! They do have different design options available that you might find work for you. We will get into those shortly, so don’t abandon ship just yet!
All in all, this is a wonderful idea. When I put on my Sleep Pod I instantly felt the hugging action and stress seemed to leech from my body. However, it’s not all sunshine and roses and there were a few things I was not fond of.
So let’s dive in!
How Does It Work?
Deep Pressure Stimulation (DPS) is a technique that involves applying gentle, firm pressure to the body. The science behind DPS lies in the concept of proprioception, which is our body’s ability to sense its position and movement in space.
When we experience DPS, the sympathetic nervous system (which triggers our fight or flight response) is suppressed, and the parasympathetic nervous system (which promotes relaxation) is engaged.
The Sleep Pod is designed to apply that gentle, firm pressure all over your body. This decreases the production of the stress hormone Cortisol, and increases the production of Serotonin which regulates mood, appetite, and you guessed it – Sleep.
Serotonin has a calming effect on the brain and decreases the feeling of anxiety while promoting a sense of well-being. DPS is normally seen at work in patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder but also aids in soothing ADD, PTSD, Restless Leg Syndrome, etc.
What’s it Made Out of?
Surprisingly I could not find the materials that this was made of on the website.
Maybe I’m blind. I don’t know.
But luckily when you order one, it gives you what it’s made of on the inside tag.
As you can see, the construction of the Sleep Pod is 89% Polyester and 11% Spandex. Much like leggings, this is what gives that stretch and conforming shape while also being soft to the touch.
For me, this was a big bummer. As someone who tends to steer more toward organic, natural fibers in my clothing, the polyester just wasn’t what I was looking for.
Polyester is a synthetic fiber that has moisture-resistant properties which cause it to trap heat and moisture instead of absorbing it. Hug Sleep claims that it’s breathable but when I slept in it, I definitely became way too hot throughout the night.
Luckily I got their Sleep Pod Move variation so I was able to stick my feet out of the bottom to cool off, but I still ended up feeling sweaty. I tried it with clothes on and also clothes off and got the same result. Hot and sweaty. Like a sausage in the oven.
Polyester also has a tendency to build up an electrostatic charge, or static electricity. It’s fun to play around with but can have negative effects on your body.
On the positive side, it was super soft and comfortable, and the seams are sturdy. Because it’s made of synthetic material, it has increased durability and you don’t have to worry about any special washing instructions.
Design Options
Hug Sleep offers three different variations: The Sleep Pod, the Sleep Pod Move, and the Hooded Sleep Pod Move.
Sleep Pod
This is the original entry-level sleep pod,
Grab this one if you’re not interested in the foot pouch and want to save $10!
Hooded Sleep Pod Move
The Hooded Sleep Pod Move has a foot pouch at the bottom, as well as a hood to go over your head for more of a mummy feel.
If you’re looking for the best deep-touch experience, get this version!
**Update 2023: New color options are available for this style only. Graphite, turquoise, and ruby!
Sleep Pod Move
The Sleep Pod Move has a pouch at the bottom so you can stick your feet out!
This is the option that I purchased and would recommend to anyone wanting to try it out for themselves!
All three variations are sized Small to Extra Large, and they have a nice sizing chart to help you decide which size fits you.
Functionality
I am 5’6″ and typically a size 8 so I purchased the Medium size. It fits like a glove, just as it’s supposed to!
I did find it a bit difficult to sleep on my side while using this since I like to put a pillow between my knees when I’m side sleeping.
This felt rather impossible to accomplish. They do mention on their site to get a size up if you like to do this but I didn’t want to risk it being too big and not getting the proper pressure.
So something to keep in mind for my pillow knee people out there.
As for the arms, I liked having my arms tucked for lounging, but after too much time it got too hot and I needed to air them out. I also sleep with one arm under my pillow or both raised above my head so having them tucked in was too confining for me.
Overall, I found I couldn’t get comfortable sleeping on my side. So I ended up sleeping more on my back, which isn’t a terrible thing. It’s been shown that sleeping on your back, or supine, is one of the healthiest sleeping positions for a body.
Even when I normally fall asleep on my back I like to hike a leg up into more of a bent position and unfortunately, I couldn’t do that in the Sleep Pod. Your legs are together forever and ever, amen.
BUT! I did fall asleep very quickly and, aside from the shifting of positions, I slept pretty deeply. So, if you normally sleep with your legs together you can get the recommended size, but if you need a bit more freedom I recommend sizing up.
Is the Sleep Pod Worth It?
Personally, I ended up returning mine.
I had issues with overheating, and difficulty assuming my preferred sleep position.
Broken down, my feelings are as follows:
Pros
Cons
This product would be best for those who suffer from anxiety disorders, autism spectrum disorders, or other things that might make it difficult to find calm and peace. It would also be great for lounging in or for short naps rather than all night long.
As I stated above, the Move variety is the best so that would be the one that I recommend if you want to try it out for yourself!
