Do you know what a weighted blanket is? This is a quilted blanket with a fair amount of weight because it has pellets, weighted disks, or glass beads combined to add weight (usually approximately 15 pounds). This weight is designed to soothe sleepers by promoting relaxation and boosting the release of serotonin, a hormone that gives us a positive mood, and dopamine, a hormone that gives us a feeling of accomplishment.
Many people with autism, anxiety and insomnia are turning to pressure blankets as sleep aids due to their ability to promote healthy sleep and reduce stress. Weighted blankets are often helpful to those who find sleeping difficult, such as those who experience anxiety during the night. Check out some of the benefits of sleeping with a weighted blanket and find out if it might be right for you to use one in the future.
Weighted Blankets: What the Research Tells Us About Their Effectiveness
In a Swedish study published in 2015, the researchers concluded that a weighted blanket might be able to reduce insomnia by increasing tactile and proprioceptive inputs into the body, providing a non-pharmacological approach to sleep improvement that offers a complementary and innovative approach to improving sleep quality. The results of a study conducted in 2005 when weighted blankets were becoming mainstream stated that participants had a 63% decrease in anxiety with a 30-pound blanket and 78% said they preferred weighted blankets for calming purposes.
Weighted Blankets: Where and How to Buy
- Choosing a blanket weight of about 10% of your body weight is recommended.
- There is a possibility that having something heavy on your chest might not be conducive to good sleep if you suffer from sleep apnea or snore loudly.
- Choosing a blanket with removable weights is a good way to be able to wash it whenever you want.
- Take a look at well-known brands like Beyond Bridges USA, SensaCalm, and Gravity Blankets that can offer you great benefits.
- Be sure to check the return policy before making a purchase (especially if you are buying online).
Benefits of Using Weighted Blankets
A heavy blanket is used as a type of therapy and as a sleep aid for people who suffer from an anxiety disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and insomnia. Furthermore, they are sometimes used therapeutically for children with allergies, sensory issues, and autism. Take a look at what a weighted blanket can do for you below to learn more about its amazing benefits.
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Provides Relief from Restlessness
It is essential to have a sense of calm to drift off to sleep. Weighted blankets provide deep pressure stimulation that reduces anxiety through a soothing effect. Due to the deep touch pressure’s profoundly calming effect on the sleeper. The blanket can also help relieve the symptoms associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Researchers have found that deep pressure stimulation can help with sleep problems in children and adults with ADHD symptoms.
One study conducted on 42 children found that one-half had ADHD symptoms. While the other half did not have ADHD symptoms. A sleep test and parent diary were used to track their sleep for four weeks. While a weighted blanket was used for two weeks. Weighted blankets proved to be very beneficial for ADHD kids as they reduced the number of awakenings. During the night and the time it took to fall asleep. The children with ADHD slept just like those without the disorder.
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Boosts Melatonin Production
Melatonin hormone is also released when the weighted blanket stimulates serotonin, which promotes sleep and regulates sleep patterns.
That’s one of the benefits of a weighted blanket. Generally speaking, the pressure applied by the blanket is conducive to a calming, soothing environment conducive to sleep, which helps the tense, anxious, restless person get the rest they need during the night.
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Improves Oxytocin
You may ask, “Are weighted blankets good for you?” The answer is yes! Creating pressure comparable to a hug provides warmth and comfort and induces several health-promoting effects.
Researchers have discovered that a hug releases the hormone oxytocin in the body which creates a sense of relaxation so you feel at ease. The release of oxygen to the body also results in a slowing of the heart rate and a reduction in blood pressure, resulting in better sleep.
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Reduces Cortisol
When you sleep with a therapeutic weighted blanket, your body will be grounded, enhancing the calming effect. Several studies have shown that grounding helps reduce nighttime cortisol levels, negatively affecting blood sugar, digestion, and immunity.
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Enhances Students’ Concentration in Studies
Sensory processing disorders like autism can make school challenging for children. Hallways and classrooms are overflowing with noise and intense colors, making it difficult to concentrate in these areas. The child can be frustrated and upset due to this overwhelming situation.
Occupational therapists and educators have promoted using weighted vests and lap pads for decades. Several researchers believe that firm yet gentle pressure relieves a child’s anxiety, keeps them focused, and allows them to sleep better at night.
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Releasing dopamine & serotonin
Weighted blankets provide a gentle yet deep pressure that penetrates deeply into the body. It has been found that this “deep touch pressure stimulation” or “proprioceptive pressure” triggers two neurochemicals to release that has a calming effect that alleviates anxiety, stress, and depression.
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Help to Reduce Anxiety
It is something that everyone experiences at some point or another in their lives. In other words, it’s that uneasiness and worry that generally accompanies a future event or situation. When stressed, your body prepares for stress by increasing your heart rate and breathing faster.
You may have an anxiety disorder if you’re constantly anxious and it disturbs your daily life. Rather than worrying about upcoming events, you may become overly concerned about everyday situations. As a result, your body may feel as though it is constantly exposed to stressful situations or environments.
Depending on what’s happening around you. Your autonomic nervous system prepares your body for stress or rest by controlling essential bodily functions like breathing, digestion, sweating, and shivering. Often, this is referred to as the fight or flight response.
With weighted blankets, you can reduce anxiety symptoms by putting your autonomic nervous system into “rest” mode. The result can be a sense of overall calm that can be felt in the body.
Best Weighted Blanket Suppliers
Take a look at our selection of weighted blankets from top suppliers if you are looking for a weighted blanket.
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Beyond Bridges USA
Those who live in warm climates or during the summer will find the Beyond Bridges USA to be an excellent choice. In warm climates, the lightweight cotton cover of the pillow allows air to pass through and keeps it comfortable. With the attached loops, you can secure it within your own duvet cover so you don’t disturb others when you move around at night.
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Gravity Blanket
Several wrappings are available for the Gravity Blanket, including plush faux fur and moisture-wicking fabric that keeps you cool at night. Glass beads are separated by a grid so they don’t bunch up. There are multiple weights available for the blanket.
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Helix Weighted Blanket
As an affordable weighted blanket, the Helix Weighted Blanket has a velvety feel on one side and a fleece side. It has a luxuriously soft cover that makes it a comfortable choice. You can test out the service for 100 days before you decide whether you want to subscribe to it permanently.
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YnM Weighted Blanket
There is no doubt that the YnM Weighted Blanket is one of the favorites among those who want to sleep cool – and since it is among the most economical weighted blankets on the market. It is also popular with those who are watching their budgets. It is available in 14 different weights, and there are many color options for you to choose from, as well as a large blanket which can be used as a couple’s blanket.
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Yasaa Weighted Blanket
There’s something unique about the Yasaa Weighted Blanket which is unlike most other blankets. It’s knitted rather than woven, giving it the ambiance of a comfy throw rather than a duvet. It is made up of recycled plastic fibers that are interspersed with the plastic beads that bring the weight instead of the use of plastic or glass beads. This weighted blanket is more expensive than most weighted blankets. It requires dry cleaning, but those looking to wrap themselves in decadence are generally willing to pay the price for it.
Make Sure You Sleep Well & Wake Up Fresh Everyday!
Overall, it’s essential to know that weighted blankets provide a soothing, calming effect that can lead to better sleep. People who are tense, anxious, and restless can sleep this way peacefully. Sleeping with a weighted blanket has proven beneficial for those who have arthritis, fibromyalgia, and other painful conditions. As we mentioned above, we have also recommended the 5 top weighted blanket suppliers, and one of them is Beyond Bridges USA, which we believe is of the highest quality.
There are many ways a weighted blanket can assist you in calming your body and your mind by supporting the production of ‘calming’ hormones and neurotransmitters. Increasing numbers of people are finding that sedative-hypnotic medications (sleeping pills) at night can be replaced with this special type of blanket. Having a good night’s sleep will enable. You to wake up with a clearer understanding of what you want in life and the ability to achieve your goals.
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