If you find yourself tossing and turning or counting sheep, you have likely spent your fair share of midnight hours looking up quick ways to fall asleep. After all, sleep is one of the most important and necessary things we can do each day. Fail to get enough good, quality sleep and you’ll immediately feel the consequences the next day.
That’s one reason why weighted blankets have gone “main stream.” Most likely, you’ve heard of them before–but does the hype hold up? That’s the question everyone is hoping to get an answer to, and the truth might surprise you.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Who Needs A Weighted Blanket?
Weighted blankets are most widely suggested in the medical community for children and adults who suffer from sensory challenges, including those associated with autism, ADHD, and other conditions. However, the benefits of weighted blankets for every day relaxation are quickly spreading.
The fact is, the average American doesn’t get enough sleep each night. The National Sleep Foundation actually reports that as much as 45% of the population consistently suffers from “poor or insufficient sleep,” and that has to change. The Sleep Health Foundation even says that 1 in 3 adults suffers from full-blown insomnia, which is characterized by a difficult time falling asleep, staying asleep, and sleeping on a normal schedule.
If you have ever desperately wanted to fall asleep yet remain laying in bed awake or perhaps you continuously wake up after just a little bit of light rest, a weighted blanket could be the thing that helps you calm down and get more consistent sleep each night.
Are Weighted Blankets Backed By Science?
There are countless crazes that hit the mainstream and claim to be a quick fix to an age-old problem. If you’ve ever seen one of these solutions before, perhaps advertised on the front of a popular magazine, you undoubtedly walk into the idea of a weighted blanket with a bit of skepticism.
That’s completely understandable, and it’s actually very smart to wonder if weighted blankets are indeed backed by scientific research. The answer? In short: absolutely!
Weighted blankets have long been used for their ability to induce relaxation in patients with PTSD, anxiety, and countless other conditions. They’re especially beneficial to many people and children who suffer from autism and other disorders that lead to stress and tension.
However, only in recent years have weighted blankets become popular for everyday use–even amongst otherwise healthy individuals who just need help falling asleep at night. This shift is because of growing research into exactly how weighted blankets and other alternatives work to help people relax.
The Facts About Deep Touch Pressure
If you’ve ever tried a weighted blanket, you undoubtedly melted into its comforting embrace. The weight of the blanket is what makes it so cozy, after all, and it’s quick to engulf you in softness and just the perfect amount of warmth, tempting you to shut your eyes and drift off into dream land.
Of course, there’s a lot more to a weighted blanket’s “magic” if you look at the facts. The reason why weighted blankets are so relaxing and beneficial is because of Deep Touch Pressure (DTP). This phenomenon has long been studied and is now a common method for relieving stress, anxiety, and sleeplessness.
Through Deep Touch Pressure, a weighted blanket is actually able to induce serotonin production in the brain. Serotonin is a chemical that’s naturally released when you feel happy, calm, and relaxed, so it plays a key role in the sleep/wake cycle.
Scientific research shows that deep pressure stimulation can create a calm, peaceful feeling that reduces insomnia. The Occupational Therapy in Mental Health journal shows that 78% of participants who used a 30-pound weighted blanket felt calmer.
That’s right, nearly 8 in 10 people who used a weighted blanket felt the incredible results. If you haven’t tried one, just imagine a sense of calming relaxation that washes over you and helps you drift off with ease. Before you know it, you’re waking up refreshed–and the benefits don’t stop there.
It has been shown that the effects of a weighted blanket will last for many hours after you crawl out of bed and begin your day. That means a more calm, stress-free you overall, which can help you tackle Monday morning butterflies and general anxiety issues.
Before you know it, your entire lifestyle will be feeling more carefree and joyous, and it’s all tied back to better sleep. With a solid night’s sleep each night, you can also expect to reduce your risk of disease, obesity, and other conditions that come along with consistently poor sleep.
Enjoy The Comfort of a Weighted Blanket
With the newfound love for weighted blankets, there are plenty hitting the market, and that means you have a lot of options to choose from. Even IKEA came up with a weighted blanket. However, weighted blankets do require a bit of thought in order to get the relaxing results you’re after. Always try to use natural materials like 100% cotton or wool – I am sure you have heard about the Benefits Of Wearing Wool Sweater for example. Natural materials are environmentally friendly and prevents you from all kinds of issues, allergy, skin irritates and many more.
Most people opt for a blanket that’s about 7-12% of their body weight. If a blanket is too heavy you can feel constricted. Too light and you won’t get the benefits a weighted blanket can offer. But, what’s just as important as the overall weight of your blanket is the thing that’s weighing the blanket to begin with.
Many knock-offs and cheap weighted blankets use plastic beads, which are light, bulky, and often filled with dangerous chemicals. To address those concerns, Corala only uses lead-free pure glass beads in every blanket. Also, in order to keep weight evenly distributed, Corala uses a diamond-stitch pattern, securing a balanced amount of beads in each “pocket” across the entire blanket.
With a well-thought-out design, the Corala blanket is able to offer the perfect amount of weight without bulk. There’s no worry about beads getting piled up to one end of the blanket and the durable, 100% cotton fabric material minimizes the risk of rips, tears, or leaks. Thanks to its quality stitching, the Corala blanket is sure to last you many years.
What’s more, the Corala blanket comes with two duvet covers–one for summer and one for winter. That means you can enjoy your Corala blanket year-round. And, when it gets dirty, just throw it in the washer like all of your other bedding! Sound too good to be true?
She tried every sleep system and trick to conquer her insomnia for good.
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