Over the past few years, many therapies and alternative solutions have emerged to help people counter the effects of suffering from anxiety, stress, and irregular sleep patterns. One of the most recent emergences is the use of weighted blankets. This is a form of non-drug therapy that is both safe and effective as it boosts both relaxation and better sleep.
A weighted blanket is thick and heavy and can help you relax because it applies constant pressure on the deep touch receptors in your body. Such blankets can weigh as much as twenty-five pounds, making you feel safe and secure in a tight hug. Why should you buy a weighted blanket?
Weighted blankets help reduce the physiological and psychological effects of stress because when you sleep well, your body produces less cortisol, the hormone associated with stress and anxiety. This restorative sleep is beneficial for people fibromyalgia, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), insomnia, and other sensory disorders.
However, it is important to understand that, although they come in varied sizes, each blanket should be weighted specifically for different individuals. Check out HushBlankets for a comprehensive list of the different sizes available, and how they work best. With that in mind, here are the 4 main advantages of snagging one for yourself:
1. Regularize your Sleep Patterns
Weighted blankets play a very significant role in reducing insomnia and curbing sleep deprivation. The deep pressure stimulation offered by these blankets helps your body increase the production of hormones such as dopamine and serotonin, which are responsible for mood and sleep regulation.
By increasing the production of these neurotransmitters, weighted blankets can help you fall asleep quicker, and boost deeper rest cycles. If you are struggling with insomnia, then a weighted blanket will help you feel well-rested, refreshed, and ready to take on the day. This, in turn, helps reduce anxiety.
2. Managing Sensory Disorders
Aside from helping with the management of anxiety, weighted blankets can also be used as a supplemental non-drug therapy for sensory disorders such as bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, ADHD, Restless Leg Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and many more. The biochemical change caused by using weighted blankets helps you maintain calm and sharp focus. However, it is always advisable to consult your doctor before adopting any new health regimen.
3. Help you Calm Down
For a few of us, it is mostly at night when our brains light up and become a hive of activity. This means that when you try to settle down to sleep, your mind is still active and your body feels like you have a lot of pent up energy. If this is you, then a weighted blanket might just work for you.
The reason is that it helps calm down your hyperactive nervous system in a good way. A weighted blanket brings about physiological changes that help your body relax. This directly contributes to improved sleeping habits and reduced stress. It is the reason why weighted blankets are recommended for people dealing with insomnia and anxiety.
4. Alleviating Anxiety
You can experience sporadic bouts of anxiety whenever you are feeling stressed about a test or large project. It can also be more severe when you experience chronic and ongoing anxiety. Regardless of how it comes, anxiety can significantly lower the quality of your life by affecting how you interact with yourself, your loved ones, and your immediate environment.
As a non-drug therapy, using weighted blankets plays a huge role in calming an anxious person. This is because it gives you the feeling of a warm and tight hug. When you are hugged by a loved one, your brain releases oxytocin, which causes increased feelings of comfort, happiness, and relaxation. This is the same calming effect brought about by a weighted blanket.
