Advantages of Using a Weighted Blanket

Weighted blankets, also known as gravity or heavy blankets have been used in acute psychiatry as a therapeutic tool for curing and easing the symptoms of serious mental disorders. The records of using the tool date back from the middle of the 20th century.

Weighted blankets were mostly used for children suffering from severe disorders. Moreover, they are known to ease the symptoms of the post-traumatic disorder, autism, ADHD, anxiety, and sensory processing disorders.

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Mainstream Use

Proven to have their benefits in relaxation and calming of the nervous system, weighted blankets have entered the mainstream use for the purpose of alleviating the symptoms of insomnia, anxiety, and depression. As the number of people suffering from these disorders increases rapidly so does the interest in the weighted blankets.

How Does a Weighted Blanket Work

Designed to weight 10-12% of a person’s body weight, the blanket uses the proven power of the deep touch pressure stimulation (DTP). Occurring whenever our nerve endings are pressed with a certain amount of weight, the DTP is known to trigger a change in the function of the nervous system.

Similar to the effect of hugging, a weighted blanket can help a person relax, enter the state of calmness and fall asleep. This is due to the DTP resulting in increased secretion of the happiness hormones: endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine. The newly arisen situation leads to increased levels of melatonin also, which regulates the sleep-wake cycle.

A weighted blanket resembles a regular one. It can be made out of different fabrics and it is designed to have small pockets. Those small pockets hold microbeads made of plastic or glass. Spread widely on the surface of the blanket, they provide the weight needed to create the stimulation of the deep touch pressure.

Advantages of using a Weighted Blanket

When purchasing a weighed blanket it is important to choose the accurate weight according to your bodyweight. In order to be satisfied and have the maximum benefit, you can choose your preferred fabric, dimensions and styles according to your needs.

Here are the pros of using a weighted blanket:

1. Weighted blanket can help you sleep better

Sleeping disorders and insomnia are very common problems these days. Insomnia can be a result of a stressful lifestyle, anxiety or depression. Sleeping problems are common due to the disruption of the sleep cycle caused by the intense artificial lights from our electronic devices.

The DTP provided by the weight of the blanket stimulates a change in functions from sympathetic (fight or flight) to parasympathetic (rest and digest) nervous system. As the parasympathetic system takes over, the body enters in the resting state. Among the neurotransmitters that are used by the parasympathetic system are dopamine and serotonin. Both play a role in the regulation of the sleep-wake cycle. Equally responsible for the feeling of satisfaction and great mood, serotonin is a chemical precursor of the melatonin. Therefore, it is responsible for increased melatonin levels in the bloodstream.

The chemical reactions that a DTP commences are powerful enough to fight the restlessness and promote quality and uninterrupted sleep.

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2. Eases Stress and Anxiety

The fast-paced and stressful lifestyle that is common today, is causing prolonged states of stress and anxiety in people. If the stress persists for a longer period of time, the body is unable to make the switch between nervous systems. As the glands release a lot of stress hormone – cortisol, the mind perceives the stress as a dangerous situation. Therefore our body is trapped under the control of the sympathetic system that constantly releases adrenalin (for the purpose of “fight or flight”).

A weighted blanket is your switch. Once you put it onto your body the DTP will make the switch. Shutting down the sympathetic system the body knows that it’s safe from danger. Moreover, the release of dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins are promoting the feeling of relaxation and contentment. Used regularly your weighted blanket keeps a good balance of chemicals in your body. Moreover, this will help you cope with stress efficiently and will alleviate your anxiety.

The stress and anxiety disorders often result in disrupted sleep. Once you get your balance back you can have a good relaxation and a good sleep to help you have a better life quality.

3. With recommendation from a doctor it is commonly used for:

•         Improving the focus for ADHD
•         Helping sensory processing disorders
•         Eases the symptoms of restless leg syndrome
•         May help with Fibromyalgia pain
•         Autism
•         Depression