Why You Need To Use a Weighted Blanket? (And Why NOT!)

remedies for insomnia

Why Use A Weighted Blanket?

Over the past couple of years, weighted blankets have hit the mainstream. Being promoted for everything from ADHD and autism management to anxiety relief, it’s impressive how many wellness advantages result from a design that’s so beautifully simple.

How Does a Weighted Blanket Work?

There is no shortage of options when it comes to weighted blankets these days. Thanks to their ever-increasing popularity and usage, you can find weighted blankets in all sorts of different sizes and styles. The Corala Blanket is the world’s first designer weighted blanket set that is designed specifically to promote superior relaxation and comfort for busy women just like you.

That means it looks great draped over your sofa or bed, and it feels even better when it comes time to snuggle up under it. However, you still get all the great benefits that come along with a weighted blanket. With both a winter duvet for cool nights and a summer duvet for warm nights, you will be able to enjoy the comfort of a weighted blanket year-round without getting too hot or having to layer on other blankets for warmth.

The deep touch pressure of a weighted blanket is what promotes better sleep. Following years of research, weighted blankets are specifically designed to help you sleep well through DTP.

DTP, or Deep Touch Pressure, is a proven phenomenon. Sleep studies prove that applying DTP to the body triggers the release of serotonin, a hormone connected to relaxation and sleep. This is what makes weighted blankets popular for children with autism, since they tend to have low serotonin levels. However, weighted blankets for adults are able to offer other benefits.

With a weighted blanket, anyone can achieve deeper, higher quality sleep thanks to its ability to increase serotonin levels. This, in turn, helps to relieve stress and anxiety. It is also shown beneficial for those suffering from aggression, depression, and other mood disorders.

Weighted Blanket Benefits

A weighted blanket provides a sense of calm and security when used correctly. The pressure applied by the weight of the blanket stimulates the release of two brain chemicals – dopamine and serotonin – which have a calming effect. As a result, individuals who use weighted blankets often report feeling more relaxed and grounded.

Weighted blanket benefits could be:

  • stimulate the release of two brain chemicals – dopamine and serotonin – which have a calming effect.
  • help ground the body during sleep, which may deeply enhance the calming effect.
  • reducing symptoms of ADHD and improving sleep.
  • help “ground” the body during sleep by pushing it downwards, which reduces stress and anxiety.
  • reduce cortisol levels in women, which improves their sleep and reduces stress, insomnia, and pain.
  • are beneficial for people of all ages and for those with a variety of mental health issues.
  • promote the production of serotonin, which helps to calm the body and brain.
  • can help reduce anxiety and panic attacks, as well as symptoms of PTSD.
  • are beneficial for children with autism.

Deep pressure therapy from a weighted blanket can help ease anxiety and provide a sense of calm, which improves sleep.

Ease Stress and Soothe Anxiety

Weighted blankets may help manage feelings of stress and anxiety. Since stress and anxiety often interfere with sleep, the benefits of a weighted blanket may translate to better sleep for those suffering from stressful thoughts.

When your system achieves this homeostasis in the parasympathetic nervous system, physical manifestations of calm will appear. Your heart rate will slow, your blood pressure will drop, and the stress hormone cortisol will decrease. Sweating from the stress that you might normally experience during the day will subside. Your body will be at ease, exactly what it needs while it sleeps to maintain a healthy immune system and mindset.

Improve Sleep Quality

Weighted blankets are used to improve sleep quality by stimulating serotonin production and reducing stress.Weighted blankets may be helpful for people with insomnia or poor sleep quality.There is some evidence that weighted blankets may improve sleep in adults.

Calm The Nervous System

Weighted blankets may help people with persistent sleep problems to calm their nerves and fall asleep. They could also trigger chemicals in the brain that lower heart rate and breathing, and help you stop tossing and turning in bed.

Pressure from weighted blankets may also help release oxytocin, which has a variety of benefits for sleep, including calming symptoms. At bedtime, a warm, soft blanket may help calm also restless dogs.

Who Can Benefit from Using a Weighted Blanket?

Weighted blankets can benefit a variety of people, including those with anxiety, ADHD, autism, and sensory processing disorder. The pressure that the blanket provides can help to calm and soothe the user, helping them to relax and fall asleep more easily.

Weighted blankets are all the rage this year, and companies market them as providing “blissful” sleep. While relatively new to the general public, occupational therapists have been using them for years for emotional and physical regulation, according to a review of eight studies completed in 2020.

  • Weighted blankets are used to reduce anxiety, stress, and overstimulation.
  • People might use weighted blankets in addition to other treatments, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or relaxation techniques.
  • Weighted blankets are beneficial for people with psychiatric disorders who suffer from insomnia.
  • Weighted blankets can improve sleep quality, reduce anxiety, and increase mood stability.
  • Weighted blankets have a number of other health benefits, including reducing stress levels and improving physical endurance and strength.

Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety and depression can negatively affect sleep, and in turn, the lack of sleep exacerbates anxiety and depressive symptoms. Weighted blankets may help improve sleep for people with these mental health conditions. One study found that weighted blankets helped reduce insomnia symptoms for people with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and ADHD.

woman in black dress sitting on floor depression

Autism Spectrum Disorders

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects communication, social interaction. Weighted blankets may help people with ASD focus on the deep pressure of the blanket instead of other sensory stimuli from their surroundings. This pressure may provide comfort and allow them to relax even in situations that may be over-stimulating.

A study revealed that after resting beneath a 30-pound blanket for 5 minutes, 63 percent of 32 adult participants reported feeling less anxious.

The Weighted Blanket: Pros and Cons

There are several pros and cons to weighted blankets that we summarize below.

Benefits of weighted blankets include reducing stress, reducing anxiety, promoting relaxation, aiding in sleep, and improving moods overall. Weighted blankets are a type of massage therapy that is used to help with anxiety, stress, and depression.

Weighted blankets can be helpful for people who have difficulty sleeping or for those who suffer from chronic pain.

People should keep in mind that weighted blankets are not meant to replace regular bed-time routine and should only be used under the supervision of a healthcare professional.

Pros

  • Weighted blankets provide many benefits to physical and mental health, including reducing heart rate and calming anxiety.
  • They can help you sleep better and be less groggy in the morning.
  • They’re cheaper than purchasing medication for sleeplessness or anxiety disorders.
  • They’re good for all ages and can be enjoyed by most family members.

Cons

  • They can be difficult to travel with
  • They require extra care when cleaning
  • They’re more expensive than a regular comforter
  • They can sometimes get too hot if you’re a hot sleeper
  • They take some time to get used to and may feel uncomfortable or awkward at first

Why Better Sleep Matters

Regardless of the presence of any diseases or conditions, deep touch pressure is effective for both healthy children and adults by helping to promote better sleep. That translates into better focus during the day and a healthier body overall. After all, poor sleep is what contributes to both short-term issues and even life-threatening conditions.

If you are not convinced that you need better sleep, just review these statistics shared on WebMD:

  • Behind The Wheel: Research suggests that driving drowsy could be just as bad as driving drunk. In fact, “the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that fatigue is a cause in 100,000 auto crashes and 1,550 crash-related deaths a year in the U.S.”
  • Cognitive Processes: Lack of sleep will make even the simplest daily tasks a struggle as it directly impacts your cognitive function. “[I]t impairs attention, alertness, concentration, reasoning, and problem solving.”
  • Increased Risk of Disease: Not getting enough sleep can put you at a higher risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and even diabetes.

You have a lot on your plate, is poor sleep making it harder to manage it all? Chances are, if you aren’t clocking a solid 8-10 hours every night because you struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep soundly, you’re most certainly feeling the impact during your waking hours.

Taking all of these aspects into account, there’s no doubt that you should be doing everything you can to promote good sleep. Aside from getting into good sleep habits–like setting up a bedtime routine–using the right weighted blanket can help you get to sleep faster and sleep better once you’re all tucked in.

Good sleep isn’t a luxury–it’s a necessity! In order to function properly and put your best foot forward every day as you continue to juggle your career, family, and personal pursuits, it’s essential that you’re getting to sleep and staying asleep all through the night.

Choosing The Right Weighted Blanket

Once you try a weighted blanket, you won’t ever want to go back to a normal comforter set. They are perfect for napping, cuddling up to a movie, and–most of all–promoting a good night’s sleep. Her eis our guide on how to choose a weighted blanket. We also reviewed some blankets for you. Nowadays you even can walk into the closest IKEA store to buy a weighted blanket.

Will a Weighted Blanket Work for You?

The best way to see how a weighted blanket can improve your sleep and your lifestyle is to try one out for yourself.

Who Shouldn’t Use Weighted Blankets?

Weighted blankets are not for everyone. They are not recommended for use by people with epilepsy, Claustrophobia, Acute Stress Disorder, or Panic Disorder. Weighted Blankets are not safe for infants, toddlers, or very young children.

Are Weighted Blankets Worth It?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Some people find weighted blankets to be extremely helpful, while others find them to be uncomfortable and unnecessary. Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide whether a weighted blanket is worth it for them.

Weighted Blankets for a Good Sleep

Weighted blankets are becoming a popular choice for people who want a good night’s sleep. The added weight of the blanket helps people to feel more grounded and relaxed, which can lead to a deeper sleep.

Should you sleep with a weighted blanket every night?

There is no right or wrong answer to this question, as the benefits of using a weighted blanket depend on the person using it. Some people find that using a weighted blanket every night helps them sleep better, while others find that it’s too hot or uncomfortable to use every night.

Who Need weighted blanket?

People who need a weighted blanket are typically those who suffer from anxiety, stress, insomnia, ADHD, and autism. The pressure of the blanket is said to help calm the mind and body, promoting better sleep and relaxation.

Weighted blankets are used to relieve anxiety and stress. They work by grounding the body, which can improve blood pressure, heart rate, glucose levels, and cortisol levels. Weighted blankets are a type of deep-pressure therapy that is known to be effective for relieving aches and pains.

Does a weighted blanket increase heart rate?

There is not enough research to say for certain whether or not a weighted blanket increases heart rate. Some people claim that the extra weight can help to relax the body and improve sleep, while others say that it can cause the heart rate to increase.

What are the dangers of a weighted blanket?

Weighted blankets can be dangerous because they can cause a person to overheat. A too heavy weighted blanket can cause symptoms such as dizziness, headache, nausea, and vomiting.

Who should not use a weighted blanket?

Weighted blankets are not recommended for people who suffer from seizures, who are pregnant, or who are very young.

What’s it like to sleep under a weighted blanket?

Sleeping under a weighted blanket is an experience that is best described as calming. The weight of the blanket creates a sense of safety and security, which can help many people fall asleep more easily. The weight can also be adjusted to create an experience that is more comfortable for the sleeper.

How to get used to a weighted blanket?

You should start using a weighted blanket gradually. Spend more and more time under your blanket every day.

What are weighted blankets made of?

Weighted blankets are typically made of a soft, stretchy fabric that is filled with pellets or beans. The weight varies depending on the size and type of blanket, but most weigh around 10-20 pounds. Some weighted blankets also have a zipper on the bottom that makes it easier to get in and out of bed.

lezt

By lezt

Lez Taylor, Founder and CEO of Corala Blanket. She tried every sleep system and trick to conquer her insomnia for good.