Latest statistics released by mental health charity Mind indicate that around 1 in 6 people report experiencing a mental health problem like anxiety in any given week in England.
Having trouble getting to/remaining asleep at night is a commonly-linked issue to this.
If this rings true to you or someone you know, then we’ve discovered a weighted anti-anxiety therapy blanket on Amazon and if the recent reviews from those suffering with stress and anxiety are anything to go by, then it’s definitely worth checking out.
The jaymag Anti Anxiety Weighted Blanket offers “great all-natural sleep” by providing a stimulation called ‘Deep Touch Pressure’ – which is also known as the feeling of being hugged.
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According to the product description on Amazon, the blanket “helps relieve anxiety, relax your mood, calm your body which promotes restful sleep [and] is ideal for anyone seeking a solution for loss of sleep and relaxation”.
Amazon / jaymag
It’s been described as a “wonderful sleep aid” and a “sense of security”.
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As weighted blankets are designed to be approximately 10% of the average person’s weight, it also comes in a range of weight options – 6.8kg, 7kg and 9kg – which are suitable for children, teenagers and adults, and the price does increase the heavier the blanket is.
The blanket is made with “premium 100% cotton fabric with high-density stitches, creating a soft and breathable warmth” and a filler of “hypo-allergenic non-toxic glass beads brings you the cooling pressure sensation”. The same weight pressure is spread evenly across the blanket which is said to “embrace your body perfectly for peaceful sleeping, reading, relaxing or meditating”.
After continuous use of the blanket for 3-7 days, the added weight will typically no longer be noticeable, but the benefits will remain the same.
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Amazon / jaymag
It’s retailing on Amazon at £62.99+ FREE delivery and it also has hundreds of positive reviews from plenty of satisfied customers over the years, so if you’ve been wondering whether it’s worth the buy or not, then it might be worth having a read of a few of those to help make your mind up.
It’s also listed as an Amazon’s Choice product too.
If a better nights sleep is what you’re after, then you can get your hands on the jaymag Anti Anxiety Weighted Blanket from Amazon here.
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One million UK adults who have never smoked before are now vaping, new stats reveal
Emily Sergeant
More than a million UK adults who claim to have never smoked cigarettes are now vaping.
According to alarming new data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), relating to people aged 16 and over, around 2.8 million men (11.3%) and 2.1 million women (8.2%) are thought to be smokers in the UK… but more than a million people, who have never smoked before, have now made the decision to start vaping instead.
People in the 25 to 34 age group were found to be the most likely to vape, according to the data, overtaking those aged 16 to 24, as it was the only age group to see a rise in e-cigarette usage.
Daily or occasional vaping is still higher than the proportion of people smoking cigarettes too, the ONS revealed, at 5.4 million, or 9.9%, versus 4.8 million (8.7%).
One million UK adults who have never smoked are now vaping / Credit: Lil Artsy (via Pexels) | Pxhere
“Fewer than one in 10 adults now smoke,” commented David Mais, from the ONS.
“This is the lowest proportion on record and continues the long-term decline in smoking. [But] at the same time, e-cigarette use remains more common than smoking and has followed an overall upward trend since 2020.
“E-cigarette users are also getting older, with those aged 25 to 34 now overtaking 16 to 24-year-olds as the age group most likely to use them.
“This may reflect existing users getting older, growing popularity among this age group, or a combination of both.”
Overall, the prevalence of smoking dropped in all four UK nations between 2024 and 2025.
Featured Image – Elsa Olofsson (via Unsplash)
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Three Manchester motorways named in UK’s top 10 ‘most challenging’
Emily Sergeant
Three motorways in and around Manchester have been named the ‘most challenging’ in the UK.
As part of MoneySuperMarket’s new Great British Motorway Report, new research has found that one in three UK motorists find motorway driving ‘stressful’ – despite more than 70 billion miles being travelled on Britain’s motorways each year.
From delays and congestion to high traffic levels, there are a number of factors that can contribute to driver stress levels.
But are some motorways more challenging for drivers than others? According to the data, yes. And three of the top 10 worst motorways in the UK are in and around Greater Manchester.
To find out which are the most challenging, MoneySuperMarket analysed everything from collision rates and roadworks, to lane closures and driver feedback in order to reveal the top 10.
Manchester is home to three of the UK’s top 10 most challenging motorways – the M602, M62, and M60, the latter of which took the top spot on the list.
Three Manchester motorways have been named in the UK’s top 10 ‘most challenging’ / Credit: pxfuel
Encircling Greater Manchester and linking many of the region’s motorways, the M60 recorded the lowest overall score in the index.
Despite handling significant volumes of traffic, the M60 experienced some of the highest average delays, at 15.58 seconds per vehicle per mile, and alongside this, it saw 34 collisions in the past year alone. But despite these challenges, the M60 remains an essential route for regional connectivity, and often cannot be bypassed.
“If you’re feeling anxious, allow extra time for your journey so you don’t feel pressured to rush or make last-minute decisions,” commented Alicia Hempsted at MoneySuperMarket.
“Plan your route in advance, including where you’ll stop for breaks, as regular rest stops can help you stay alert and reduce stress on longer trips, and if you’re travelling alone, consider sharing your route with someone you trust if it helps you feel more comfortable.”
Emily Sergeant -
20th July 2020 
