Joey Hadden/Insider
- Wrapping yourself in a blanket like a burrito may relieve stress, therapist Dana Myers said.
- Known as the burrito wrap, the calming technique seen on Instagram mimics baby swaddling, according to Myers.
- I tried the cozy hack and found that it instantly relaxed me in the midst of a stressful workday.
- Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.
An Instagram account is racking up thousands of likes with an illustration of a calming technique called the burrito wrap.
The drawing instructs people to wrap themselves up in a blanket like a burrito, lie down, and breathe. The tool is meant to calm you if you're feeling distressed, according to the post.
The account, called @Journey_to_wellness, is full of illustrations related to health and wellness and had more than 30,000 followers at the time of writing. It seems like some followers are trying out the calming hack for themselves.
"This is the only way I use blankets on the couch because it helps prevent anxiety attacks if I start to feel really anxious," one Instagrammer commented.
"This is exactly how I slept as a kid, and definitely wanting to go back to it as an adult," wrote another.
A therapist told Insider this method is an effective calming technique
The burrito wrap works because it seems to mimic swaddling - wrapping a baby in a blanket to restrict movement -Dana Myers, therapist and founder of A Fit Mind-Life Coaching told Insider.
"Swaddling mimics the womb, helps eliminate anxiety by imitating a parent's soothing touch, helps to regulate temperature, and helps a baby to self-soothe," Myers said. "The burrito wrap is similar to adult swaddling, which can have many health benefits such as anxiety and depression relief, stress reduction, and increased flexibility."
To wrap yourself up like a burrito, put a blanket behind your back with one end in each hand. Cross your arms over one another in a vampire-like motion. Then hop on the bed and use your hands to wrap your legs snugly in the blanket before putting your arms back in position.
If you're trying the method for yourself, Myers says to be mindful of your mind and body. Stop if you feel pain or discomfort, and don't fixate on doing it perfectly.
"Keep an open mind and try not to judge yourself," she said. "The benefits include stress reduction and increased feelings of relaxation. Trying to do it perfectly or judging yourself during the process will defeat the purpose."
Joey Hadden/Insider
I tried the hack myself and experienced an instant wave of stress relief
I tried the burrito wrap technique during a stressful workday, and it was instantly relieving.
As suggested by Myers, I put my favorite essential oil - lavender - in my diffuser and played my favorite genre of calming music - jazz. Then I was ready to begin.
As soon as I swaddled myself and hopped on my bed, I felt a wave of relaxation.
Something about the way my arms were crossed over and my legs were restricted in the warmth of my softest blanket made me feel secure.
When I closed my eyes, I sunk even deeper into relaxation.
But if you don't have a relaxing experience like mine, Myers said that's alright.
"Not all tools work for all people," she said. "Don't give up. Be open to trying different mindfulness practices, stress reduction techniques, and coping skills."