MANTA (working title) is a weighted chest pillow designed to help reduce anxiety and provide similar benefits to deep pressure therapy. Thanks to the weight and a soft glow, that follows a steady breathing rhythm, MANTA helps you relax and calm down your nervous system as well as stabilise your heart rate.
Deep pressure therapy relaxes the nervous system by modeling the experience of being hugged, which in turn reduces symptoms of anxiety and/or depression. Guided breathing exercises are also used to help people when overstimulated or anxious. Unfortunately, anxiety has become the most common mental health disorder, with an estimated 4% of the global population currently suffering from it, increasing our need for creative solutions. Thus, inspired by research, psychological studies, and current trends, which show that weighted “wearables” (blankets, plushies, etc.) are beneficial statistically significantly, I came up with MANTA.
As to what sets it apart of existing products; MANTA merges both deep-pressure therapy and guided breathing into a singular product, while also avoiding the risks created by pre-existing solutions; such as the risk of claustrophobia a weighted blanket might cause, or ensuring the feeling of being hugged a plushie might miss. Additionally, MANTA mimics pre-determined breathing patterns with internal pulsing lights, further encouraging a regular heart rate.
The design is also inspired by the Manta Ray, using its fins as the “hugging” contributor (see sketches). The product is meant to be used whilst laying on your back, with MANTA laying on your chest and the “arms/wings” laying comfortably along your sides.
