The Research Behind our Products: The Value of Sensory Therapy
Our products are the result of research and collaboration. We have been exploring the benefits of sensory textiles with an expert team of occupational therapists, mental health experts and most importantly, our wonderful customers. Responding to the unsettling times we are living through, Sooothe is focusing on addressing people’s current needs of managing daily stress and anxiety.
Anxiety on the Rise
In these turbulent times, social isolation and a lack of work-life balance have taken a toll on our mental wellbeing. According to the World Health Organisation, in the first year of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the global prevalence of anxiety and depression increased by a significant 25%.
Research like ‘The Touch Test’ from BBC Radio 4 tells us that touch is central to our wellbeing. Particularly in these uncertain times where ‘touch-deprivation’ is a reality. When we are feeling stressed, anxious, or low, hugging or simply holding someone or something can lift our mood.
Our Team of Experts
Sooothe is building our expertise in tactile textiles, sensory therapies, and interaction design. We have been collaborating with experts including occupational therapists Katie Pumbly and Roxanne Mattock to learn more about sensory therapy and how our products can be best-utilised within this context.
Katie
Roxanne
Occupational therapists enable people to get the most out of life by participating in the activities they choose or need to do. Sensory approaches are used through engaging tactile, auditory, visual or other senses to add therapeutic value.
We strive to create products that people with a range of needs can add to their daily wellbeing routines, empowering them to seek comfort through the senses. To do this, we explore the value of weight, warmth, and different textures in our comforters.
We are grateful to all of our therapists for their insightful feedback, particularly Katie and Roxanne, who were able to test our comforters with their clients and service users. This valuable feedback taught us so much about where and how our products might be used and who might benefit from them the most.
“These products are valuable to support clients and carers, particularly at challenging times during the day sich as personal care or travelling. They can act as a distraction or something to hug for comfort.” -Roxanne
Putting our Research into Practice
With our ever-growing knowledge of sensory therapies, we understand that our products cannot be made with a ‘one size fits all’ mindset. We aim instead to support a variety of cognitive and physical wellbeing needs. That’s why we are working towards customising and personalising our products.
“People’s range of what they are able to engage with and how they are able to engage differs hugely. That’s why it’s been so beneficial working with Annie to develop a collection of unique anxiety-relieving products with features that offers customer choice.” - Katie
Our Weighted Lap Cushion
Weight can help reduce stress through applying pressure to the body, which releases dopamine and seratonin. Our weighted lap cushion has different weight options, allowing our customers to choose which works best for them.
Handheld Small Cushion
Different textures can offer distraction and grounding when feeling stressed or anxious. Our products are designed with uplifting joyous colours and patterns to invite people to touch, hug, fiddle, and play.
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Discover more about our products through our online shop
If you would like to know more about sensory therapy, The Royal College of Occupational Therapists is a fantastic resource.
We’ve enjoyed working with our wonderful team of occupational therapists, if you are a therapist and would like to get involved with our research or test our products we’d love to hear from you. You can get in contact with us via our contact page.