Have you ever fallen asleep with a weighted blanket? Weighted blankets usually feel like a comforting hug that wraps around your body. This is called deep pressure stimulation (DPS) and it can make you feel more relaxed. A recent study by the American Journal of Occupational Therapy, which was reviewed by researchers at Flinders University, discovered that weighted blankets can help people who have trouble sleeping.
These blankets not only help people fall asleep, but they also make them feel happier. It also helps to relieve pain and foul mood levels throughout the day. Dr. Suzanne Dawson, an expert in occupational therapy and a researcher at Flinders University, said that adults who used weighted blankets slept better.
They also needed fewer sleep medications and felt better both physically and emotionally. In her words, “Adults who used the blankets reported better sleep, reduced use of sleep medications, and even improvements in mood and pain management,” the doctor explained.
If you have anxiety or you often feel too hot at night, a weighted blanket might help improve your sleep and boost your mood. If you also deal with constant pain, this type of blanket can be a lifesaver. An interesting fact about them is that they are quite easy to keep clean.
If you want to learn more about the study and how these blankets could make a difference in your sleep quality, you are in the right place. Let’s dive deeper!
Why Are Weighted Blankets So Good for Sleep?
Weighted blankets are like special blankets or duvets that are filled with certain materials. These materials could be tiny beads, sand, or metal balls. They help to make the blankets heavier than regular blankets.
These blankets help people relax and feel calm when they sleep. Scientists conducted 18 different experiments to see how weighted blankets affect people’s sleep. The experts focused on both kids and adults who had trouble sleeping.
Dr. Suzanne Dawson explained that some parents noticed that their kids felt more relaxed and less worried when they used weighted blankets. They also reported that their kids were able to focus better when they used them. The use of the weighted blanket helped to improve their overall health.
Although more studies are needed to figure out the best ways to use them, weighted blankets are already being used to help improve mental health care in places like South Australia.
Benefits of Weighted Blankets
The following are the benefits of using weighted blankets:
- Better Sleep: The pressure from the blanket helps people fall asleep faster. Apart from helping them fall asleep faster, it also helps them stay asleep longer by helping them feel calm and comfortable.
- Less Anxiety and Stress: The weight of the blanket can cause your body to release chemicals like serotonin. This improves your mood and helps to lower cortisol, which is a stress hormone.
- Pain Relief: If you have sore muscles, body aches, or pain, this blanket can help. The blanket’s pressure can help to relax your muscles and ease pain.
- Focus and Calm: People who have problems focusing may feel more focused and less restless when using a weighted blanket.
- Help With Insomnia: If you have trouble sleeping (insomnia), a weighted blanket can make it easier for you to relax and stay asleep.
Who Should Try Sleeping With a Weighted Blanket?
Anyone can use weighted blankets. If you often have trouble sleeping, suffer back pains, or even find it hard to concentrate sometimes, the blanket is for you. Using a weighted blanket might help you sleep better.
Because the weighted blanket is filled with small materials that make it heavier, it can feel very comforting, like a gentle hug. This calming effect can help to relax your body and mind. This will make it easier for you to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Dr. Dawson is going further with the study of these weighted blankets. She is studying how weighted blankets might help people with dementia.
The study will focus on three main things:
- Testing whether weighted blankets help people with dementia sleep better
- Finding out what makes it easy or hard for people to use these blankets
- Working with others to create a plan for using weighted blankets in different places, like care homes or hospitals.
If you have insomnia or anxiety, you can try using a weighted blanket. It might improve your sleep and help you feel more rested.
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What You Should Know Before Buying a Weighted Blanket
The following are what you should know before buying a weighted blanket:
- Choose the Right Weight: A weighted blanket should be about 5% to 10% of your body weight. This weight will be enough to make you feel comfortable and safe.
- Not for Young Kids: Weighted blankets are not safe for babies or toddlers under two years old. This is because they might have trouble moving or breathing under the weight.
- Breathable Fabrics: Many weighted blankets are made with special fabrics that are breathable and will avoid overheating.
People with breathing problems or difficulty moving should be careful when using weighted blankets. The extra weight might make it harder to breathe or move around. Ultimately, a weighted blanket is ideal if you want to relieve pain, improve sleep, stay focused and calm, and have less anxiety.
