Weighted blankets are quite popular these days with the introduction of brands like Kickstarter or Gravity Blanket.
Many people swear by them and claim to have used them for years.
Weighted blankets have been used by therapists for years to somewhat positive effects. They also claim weighted blankets have many benefits.
The following are the main ways that a weighted blanket can help you:
They Will Calm You
One of the most proclaimed benefits of weighted blankets is calming those who use them. Weighted blankets have a very interesting effect on our nervous system.
Our sensory nervous system receives information from touch.
Deep touch pressure, in particular, is a primary source of information for the sensory nervous system as it calms and organizes it.
The people who use weighted blankets experience this type of deep touch pressure. The result is that they feel very calm after being covered by the blanket.
Relieve Insomnia
Insomnia is a common yet understated sleep disorder experienced by millions around the world. About 40 million people suffer from insomnia in the United States alone.
Insomnia will definitely affect your life in extremely negative ways including hallucinations, fatigue, and indigestion among others.
Research has proven that the release of serotonin, a chemical that regulates sleep, can be achieved by deep touch pressure.
Weighted blankets offer just the right amount of deep touch pressure to help you sleep. Many people have claimed not having insomnia anymore after they started using weighted blankets.
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Reduces Anxiety
Anxiety is more common all over the world than insomnia is and is one of the issues with which a weighted blanket can help you.
There are many ways to deal with anxiety and most people prefer pharmacological solutions than others.
For most people, a weighted blanket feels like getting a hug. Though it is not the same thing, for some people a weighted blanket is the best that they can get.
The best part about weighted blankets is that you can use them whenever you want so you don’t have to rely on others or medicine to alleviate your anxiety.
Relieves Stress
A weighted blanket relieves stress in much the same way that it helps reduce anxiety. The fact that the two mental disorders are almost always found together also helps.
On the other hand, unlike anxiety, which often attacks suddenly or comes in pangs, stress is a chronic condition that tends to get worse over time.
Therefore, the use of a weighted blanket is very effective in addressing stress because it can be used every night.
The deep touch pressure is applied every night, and every night your stress levels reduce. It is definitely a better and cheaper alternative than calling a therapist or taking medication.
Reduces Symptoms of ADHD
People who cannot focus are described medically as attention-deficit hyperactivity syndrome (ADHD).
Other common symptoms may include restlessness, impulsivity, and trouble in completing tasks. Both adults and children can suffer from ADHD.
The deep touch pressure stimulation offered by weighted blankets helps to reduce anxiety, which reduces symptoms of ADHD.
That’s why you should seriously consider the weight of the blanket you buy. A guide at https://www.weightedblanketguides.com/ shows that you have to follow the ‘ten per cent rule’ in choosing a weighted blanket.
This means that the weight of the blanket should be about ten per cent of the person’s body weight.
A weighted blanket will also result in better moods and sleep patterns, which also reduces ADHD symptoms.
ADHD affects each of its victims in different ways. Therefore, there are often different symptoms and when they are the same, they have varying intensities.
Reduces Restless Leg Syndrome Symptoms
Restless leg syndrome is an interesting disorder where patients have tingly sensations in their feet.
The symptoms of restless leg syndrome rear their ugly heads at night which contribute to insomnia and other sleep disorders.
There are several common solutions recommended to those with restless leg syndrome, such as compression socks. However, these can be very tight and uncomfortable.
The better solution is to use weighted blankets that would apply only a small amount of pressure on the legs.
The pressure will not constrict your legs and would benefit your legs while allowing you to get a good night’s sleep.
Reduces Fibromyalgia Pain
Fibromyalgia is a condition that mostly affects women. The worst part about the condition is that many people wait too long before getting a diagnosis meaning the disease has severely progressed.
Patients with fibromyalgia experience debilitating pain in many parts of the body. Certain medications might help reduce the pain, but none can cure the disease.
When fibromyalgia patients use a weighted blanket, they experience a tremendous amount of pain relief. It will prevent the flare-ups of pain called fibro flare-ups and will contribute to better sleep.
Boosts Moods
Another thing you can expect weighted blankets to help you with is your mood.
Being moody is not a serious medical concern, but when it starts turning into depression, which it often does, it becomes one.
Some mood changes are the result of chemical imbalances in the brain. A great example of inadequate production of serotonin which negatively impacts your moods and emotional health.
Deep pressure stimulation, such as that provided by weighted blankets helps the production of serotonin.
It will also help reduce the level of cortisol (the stress hormone), which will lead to further improvements in mood.
The best part is that you can use the weighted blanket to change your mood wherever you are.
Improves Sleep Quality
It is a ubiquitously known fact that your sleep has a significant impact on your health. Not everyone who experiences poor sleep has a sleeping disorder.
You may simply need to make some changes to your bedding, which will make a substantial difference. A weighted blanket can serve this purpose and immensely improve your sleep quality.
The deep pressure stimulation caused by the weighted blanket will help produce serotonin for better sleep.
You will have restful and restorative sleep, which will benefit both your physical and mental health.
As you can see, using a weighted blanket has quite a lot of benefits. The above points only scratch the surface.
More research needs to be done as there is still a lot of contention on the subject. However, if testimonials are anything to go by, a weighted blanket should benefit you in many ways.
