Weighted blankets are heavier than the kinds of blankets people usually buy. Weighted blankets for anxiety and other emotional problems typically weigh anywhere from 4 to 10 kilograms, making them heavier than the average comforter or down quilt.
For many people who have health conditions such as anxiety, insomnia, or autism, weighted blankets may be a safe complementary treatment to traditional methods like medication. There are many tips to help reduce anxiety and it’s triggers.
Weighted blankets have been discovered to be an efficient and secure coping method for insomnia and mental health issues, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), while further research is required in this area.
Let’s take a deeper dive into some of the advantages of a weighted blacket for anxiety.
What is a weighted blanket?
A weighted blanket is a thick, heavy blanket that is used as a therapeutic tool to promote relaxation and lessen tension. It typically weighs between 4 to 10 kgs.
Weighted blankets mimic deep pressure touch treatment (DPT), which gives people the same physiological reaction they get when being hugged or cuddled.
The fill (which gives the blanket weight) is typically micro-glass beads, although it can also be sand, grains, or steel beads. The blanket itself can be manufactured from a variety of fabrics, such as cotton, bamboo, or flannel.
Benefits of a weighted blanket for anxiety?
Weighted blankets for anxiety and other symptoms of can help reduce symptoms in both children and adults, and they’re typically safe to use. They help many people achieve a relaxed state, allowing a deeper sleep.
Grounding
By pressing down on your body, weighted blankets assist in grounding it as you sleep. This procedure, also referred to as “earthing” or “grounding,” may be incredibly relaxing. The blankets also mimic DPT, a treatment modality that employs forceful, hands-on pressure to lessen persistent stress and extreme anxiety.
According to research, grounding may help lower cortisol, a stress hormone, levels at night. Your body releases cortisol when it believes you are being attacked, which causes the fight-flight-freeze response.
Cortisol levels might increase under stress. The immune system could suffer as a result. Along with raising blood sugar levels, it might harm the digestive system.
Increased cortisol levels can result in a variety of issues, especially if they don’t return to normal levels on their own.
These issues may consist of:
- Depression and Anxiety
- Sleeping problems
- Weight problems
- Pressure touch
Weighted blankets can assist stop this pattern by promoting relaxation and offering deep pressure touch. Dopamine and serotonin, two feel-good hormones produced in the brain, may be released as a result of this. These hormones aid in the fight against depression, anxiety, and stress.
Weighted blankets might be useful for calming anxious feelings. The review found that grounding assisted in lowering the participants’ nighttime cortisol production. They slept better and experienced less stress, sleeplessness, and pain as a result.
Better Sleep
Weighted blankets may improve the quality of your sleep since they can help you feel calmer and less stressed.
People who slept with weighted blankets often experienc less insomnia, had better sleep, and had more energy during the day. Additionally, they reported feeling less tired, depressed, and anxious.
All individuals in this sleep trial had either major depressive illness, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), in addition to having insomnia.
Choosing the right weighted blanket for anxiety
We considered cost, material, and weight options while determining the top weighted blankets for anxiety. To assist you pick the blanket that best suits your particular needs, we have offered a variety of blankets, each with special qualities.
Pricing. There are still solutions for most budgets even if weighted blankets are often more expensive than ordinary blankets. To provide options for everyone, we offered blankets at various pricing points.
Material. The materials used to create weighted blankets range from cotton knit to microfiber and fleece. Some clothing items maintain you at a more comfortable temperature by incorporating cooling technology into the fabric. Others are designed to be comfy and toasty. To cater to all tastes and conditions, we included a wide range of blankets made of various materials.
Weight. About 10% of your body weight should be represented by a weighted blanket. Therefore, various people will have different needs. We made sure to include blankets in a variety of weights so you can choose one that works for you.
How heavy should weighted blankets be?
You can get assistance choosing the weighted blanket that will be both most comfortable and effective for you from your doctor or an occupational therapist.
You should be able to estimate the blanket’s weight based on your own weight. The basic advice is to select a blanket that is 10% of your body weight, adding or removing a few pounds according to your preferences.
Another smart move is to choose with a blanket made of natural materials, like breathable cotton. Usually considerably hotter, polyester and other synthetic textiles.
Not everyone should use weighted blankets because they may also add some heat. You should speak with your doctor about using a weighted blanket if you:
- Having a persistent illness
- Are experiencing menopause
- Have vascular problems
- Have breathing problems
- Have problems regulating temperature
Weighted Blankets For Anxiety – FAQs
Can I use a weighted blanket every night?
You can utilize a weighted blanket each night, yes. If you’ve never used a weighted blanket before, you might want to start out using one for only a short period of time—say, 30 minutes at a time—until you get used to the sensation.
Do weighted blankets help anxiety?
Using a weighted blanket may reduce anxiety. Although additional research is required, a study found that weighted blankets may reduce anxiety by promoting better emotional and physical control.
In a different study, 63% of participants said their anxiety levels had decreased after wearing a weighted blanket.
Can weighted blankets make anxiety worse?
It has been demonstrated that weighted blankets can reduce anxiety. However, if you’re anxious about using one, it can temporarily worsen your anxiety.
You can begin with brief periods, like a few minutes at a time, to ease yourself into it and get used to how the weighted blanket feels. From then, you can gradually increase your usage to a few hours or overnight.
Ask your healthcare provider if a weighted blanket would be a good therapeutic tool for you if you discover that using one exacerbates your anxiety.
Who should not use a weighted blanket?
Not everyone benefits from using weighted blankets. A weighted blanket should not be used by pregnant women or kids who weigh less than 50 pounds.
There are some health issues with which weighted blankets may not be appropriate, including:
- Respiratory conditions
- Low blood pressure
- Circulation problems
- Diabetes type 2
- Claustrophobia
- You should also avoid using a weighted blanket if you have trouble moving or are unable to take it off yourself.
According to research, using a weighted blanket can have a relaxing effect similar to deep pressure touch therapy (DPT). Weighted blankets, like DPT, can help sleep while reducing tension and encouraging relaxation and feelings of peace.
Make your weighted blanket experience even more relaxing with a Galaxy Projector Light.
