Everyone should own a warmie

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Two Christmases ago, my sister’s best friend sewed for me and some of our other friends microwavable heating pads, or what is more affectionately referred to as a ‘warmie,’ in various personalized fabrics. Though I had some experience with them from my family, who owned similar ones throughout the years, I think it is safe to say that owning one of my very own has been pretty life-changing. Now, I can rarely be seen without one nearby, either across my lap, on my bed next to me, or even in my bag. 

I have become a full believer in this warmie-lifestyle and have even shown the magic of the warmie to a few of those around me. This has shown me that everyone should own a warmie because they are such a simple joy in various underappreciated ways. 

Firstly, the warmie’s obvious use is for soothing a variety of aches and pains. Heating up your warmie in the microwave can be a very nice and natural way to help with muscle soreness, cramping, and tension relief. What some people might not think to consider, however, is that most warmies can also be put in the freezer. This adds to the comforts a warmie can provide by also being able to help with fevers, sunburns, and headaches. 

These methods are the purposes warmies are usually seen as fulfilling, but I find the real universality of the warmie to be what the item also provides as a result of the properties created in helping to assuage discomforts. One of these is that the warmie is also a fantastic addition to your nighttime routine. 

I’ve found that popping the warmie into the microwave for a moment just before going to bed really helps me fall asleep. That additional bit of warmth and the weight from the grain filling are a nice centering quality that I feel is vastly superior to any sheep counting I’ve done in my day. Also, if you are like me and cannot sleep without a thousand blankets —even when it is 90 degrees outside— cooling the warmie before bed and placing it under your neck or behind your knees can really cool the body down and provide a good temperature to fall asleep at, even in a stuffy atmosphere. 

The warmie’s weight is also one of its real pluses. This aspect is also where I find it surpasses the plug-in heating pads because they are often pretty thin and don't really naturally mold around your body for optimal comfort. The ones filled with grain, however, have this nice heft to them that is soothing and shapes to you pretty— sometimes I even forget it’s on my lap! 

I have gotten into the habit of carrying my warmie to class and meetings with me, even if it’s not always super fun to have that extra weight in your bag. Just putting it across my lap is a nice presence during class, and the rice and other contents inside the warmies are pleasant to just fidget with throughout. I really do feel like it helps me be a more focused student. 

I know this recommendation might feel a bit odd overall, but I really do feel that warmies are an underrated item, especially with the recent popularity of other plush brands. It is nice because warmies have such variety, from the simpler, more homemade ones like the ones gifted to me by my sister’s best friend to the more cute stuffed animal varieties you can buy online from name brands. I think that warmies are just a great addition to give a little boost to everyone’s quality of life.