weighted blankets for stress relief

Do Weighted Blankets Work To Improve Sleep & Reduce Stress?

When you need comfort, a blanket is always near. Have you ever woken up one Wednesday morning and felt that your sleep could be just a little bit better? This is where weight blanket arrives at your doorstep.

It's equipped to provide the comfort in exchange for stealing your heart. However, what is a weighted blanket? What makes it so revolutionary?

calming blankets for better sleep

What is a weighted blanket?

Besides the accelerating number of individuals that decided to purchase these popular blankets thanks to Tik Tok, what makes a weighted blanket? Weighted blankets are therapeutic blankets, originally used by therapists and psychiatry clinics, that are used to relieve stress and build healthy sleep cycles.

A typical 'gravity blanket' is composed of pellets, metal chains, and the authentic fabric of the cover. Pellets are small beads either made of glass, polyester, or metal. Glass pellets is considered the most balanced option in terms of having a quality experience, because metal pellets tend to be noisier and heavier.

Not all heavy blankets but a few have metal chain sewn within the blanket. What it does is provide a truly comforting experience to you, by circulating the weight evenly.

Ultimately, what makes the blankets fantastic is it's capability to have its cover removed, so it can be cleansed. All these components result in resembling someone offering you an affectionate hug.

The Research

Where did all begin? One of the earliest studies of weight blankets dates back to 2008, in which 33 adults were asked to rest beneath blankets that weighed 13.6 kg. These adults stayed underneath these blankets for a total of five minutes while the examiners recorded their findings.

The researchers discovered that there was a particular drop in skin conductance amongst 33% of the test subjects. Skin conductance is the a measure of stimulation in accordance with the minor differences in the quantity of sweat on the skin.

In addition, 19% of the adults felt more relaxed underneath the blanket. Similar results came in more recent studies as well.Within industry-funded experiments, there was one that focused on how weighted blankets affects the sleep of children.

The researchers studied the complete sleep cycle of children suffering from autism spectrum disorder. Autism spectrum disorder is a "developmental condition that involves persistent challenges in social interaction, speech and nonverbal communication, and restricted/repetitive behaviors"(psychiatry.org).

After the experiment was complete, researchers found that these calming blankets had no effect on whether the children slept longer or shorter. However, children preferred these calming blankets because it helped improve the quality of their sleep.

 

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The Benefits

Everyone loves a good night sleep. However, there are additional benefits to having a weighted blanket. Weighted blanket has the ability to provide security to those who use it.

This type of security comes from Deep Pressure Stimulation. According to appliedbehavioranalysisedu.org, it states that Deep Pressure Stimulation is described as secure hugs or pressures that relaxes the nervous system. It generates dopamine and serotonin aka the happy hormones.

In today's society, all it takes is a conversation. One conversation that can impact thousands of people. Nowadays, people have grown more comfortable to talk about mental health.

That is how weighted blankets have become incredibly popular. The blankets are known to aid in other various disorder and conditions. These conditions include ADHD, Insomnia, PTSD, Autism, Anxiety, and even Osteoarthritis.

The Conditions

ADHD, Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, is a continuous pattern of distractions and/or impulsive behavior that can be an obstacle when it comes to a child's development. Researchers have found that individuals with ADHD that use gravity blankets experiences reduced fidgeting and increasing amounts of focus.

Insomnia is a sleep disorder in which individuals have trouble falling asleep. People, parents and children alike, have reported to have felt that their sleep issues have diminished.


PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder, is a condition that is caused by an appalling circumstance in ones' life. The blankets have been able to provide comfort to those that they can't see it anywhere else.


Autism, autism spectrum disorder, is a series of behaviors that range from difficulties in socializing, recurrent demeanors, and additionally may include nonverbal connections with others. The blankets does not treat the condition, however it improves the way he/she would communicate with others.


Anxiety is a feeling that you may frequently feel when you are going on date to meet someone for the first time, or hoping that you'd get that job promotion. However, there are other folks that may experience much more serious forms of anxiety. This is where the weighted blanket becomes helpful. Heavy bedclothes have been proven to decrease panic attacks, and magnifies feelings of relief.


Osteoarthritis is a condition that erosion of protective tissue beneath the knee and eventually worsen overtime. According to healthlline.com, the massage therapy has decreased the agony and enhanced their lifestyle.

 

How Do You Use These Comforting Covers

typically when ordering these blankets, you'd get them according to your body weight. If your body weight is 100 lbs, then a 10 lb blanket is perfect for you. Then from there, every 50 lbs of body weight, the blanket suitable for you would be five pounds heavier. Ultimately, depending on what you would prefer, you can choose any blanket.

In order to receive the maximum experience that you may desire, the user should have their whole frame covered in the cloth, to have the weight evenly distributed. This is to prevent situations of discomfort and overheating in the middle of the night.

Therefore, stay consistent with your sleep customs, so you obtain the optimum experience. It is recommended to avoid electronics before bed, eating right before bed, and manage stress with meditation. All these strategies will assist you in taking your sleep to the next level in best possible way. Enjoy your one of a kind blanket.

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