How Do Weighted Blankets Work and What Are the Benefits?
Weighted blankets have become increasingly popular recently and for good reason. Many people sleep under one every night, whether they had sleep issues before they got it or just got one to see why people are raving about them.
You can get two different types of weighted blankets (aka gravity blankets). The most popular style is similar to a duvet with a heavy fill in between the layers of fabric, such as beads or ball bearings. Glass pellets are preferable, but you can also get good blankets made with poly or metal pellets. Metal pellets are the heaviest fill, so weighted blankets require fewer to reach the desired weight. The blankets are also explicitly made to evenly distribute the weight throughout the blanket. They’re also designed so the beads can’t shift out of place. Some blankets have metal chains sewn into the fabric instead of beads. Sometimes, you can find a knitted weighted blanket that gets its weight from being woven with dense yarn.
Weighted blankets:
Provide a Sense of Security
Weighted blankets are designed to provide a sense of security and comfort. When you get under one, it works very similarly to how a tight swaddle helps soothe a newborn. This is just one of the many benefits of weighted blankets.
Relax the Nervous System
Your nervous system can get overstimulated. You are likely to experience anxiety, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, and hyperactivity when this happens. Needless to say, if your nervous system is that active, you will not be able to relax to fall asleep. A weighted blanket is designed to relax the parasympathetic nervous system by distributing pressure evenly over the body. By calming the nervous system, you’re also calming the fight-or-flight response that is built in from the earliest days of humans. The pressure and weight of one of these blankets can also keep you from tossing and turning as much.
Enhance Quality of Sleep
Deep pressure touch has long been known to benefit people suffering from anxiety and depression by soothing and “grounding” them. Weighted blankets mimic this deep pressure stimulation, and, just as DPT, they can help enhance sleep quality by affecting the body’s production of certain hormones. This pressure can stimulate the production of serotonin (a mood-booster), increase melatonin (the sleep hormone) levels, and reduce cortisol (the stress hormone). By getting these hormones at more acceptable levels, your body can achieve a deeper sleep. The pressure can also help bring some relief to people who deal with chronic pain. Additionally, studies have shown that lowering your cortisol levels can improve heart rate, blood pressure and blood glucose levels.
Soothe the Mind
Weighted blankets are good for easing stress and anxiety. Many people have sleep issues that stem from these feelings but find that a weighted blanket can ease their minds of the racing, stressful thoughts and allow them to fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly.
When looking for the perfect weighted blanket for you, there are a few things to consider. You have several weight options. Typically, they recommend one that is around 10% of your body weight, but it really just depends on your preference if you want to go lighter or heavier. You also need to consider how you will keep your blanket clean. You can’t put these blankets in a washer or dryer; they’re too heavy and can break these machines. The best solution is to purchase a weighted blanket with a removable, washable cover. This is especially important if you have pets. You can also purchase different types of covers made of various materials and with different designs.
Whether you have anxiety or sleep issues, weighted blankets can be an excellent choice. They are ideal for providing you with soothing relaxation. You can not only use them on the bed, but they are also great for snuggling under during an evening on the sofa watching movies. Begin researching the different options today to find your ideal weighted blanket.
