It’s hard to find a person who can sleep eight straight hours at night with weighted blankets, especially in America. If you are one of the few people who do, then you’re fortunate. If not, it’s not the end for you, because there might be an answer to your problem!
According to Fitbit, most of their users wake up approximately nine times per night, which is not normal at all! Scientific evidence says that anxiety disorder causes sleeping problems. On the other hand, not having enough sleep can also cause anxiety.
By fixing one of these problems, you can hit two birds with one stone!
What Are Weighted Blankets?
Weighted blankets are blankets that give a calming effect to its users, especially when they are in a state of arousal. These blankets provide DPT or deep pressure touch, which is a method that Occupational therapists use to calm their hyperactive patients, whether young or old.
One study in 2006 proved that about 63% of their participants had decreased anxiety, and 78% reported that the blanket offers a calming effect. Also, another study showed that these blankets help people with insomnia sleep.
How Do You Choose the Right Blanket?
According to companies who sell Weighted Blankets, people should buy a blanket that’s 10% of their total body weight. For example, if you’re 120 lbs., a 12-pound blanket is ideal for you.
When it comes to size, the weighted blanket must be enough to cover you well even when you move. Note that the price range for these types of blankets starts from $100 on Amazon.
What are the Other Benefits of Using Weighted Blankets?
Not only do Weighted Blankets reduce anxiety and improve sleep, but they also offer other benefits, such as the following:
- Help ease symptoms caused by having Restless Leg Syndrome because people with RLS complain of a tingling sensation in their legs, especially at night
- Relieve pain caused by Fibromyalgia
- Increases serotonin production and reduce cortisol levels
- Help control OCD, which presents itself as an obsessive and persistent behavior
- Decrease pain without the use of drugs
- Address PTSD or Post-traumatic stress disorder
What are the Risks of Using Weighted Blankets?
There are only a few risks associated with using Weighted Blankets. Nevertheless, manufacturers don’t recommend toddlers, who are below two years old, to use this type of blanket because it may suffocate them. It’s always best to consult with a pediatrician before using these heavy blankets.
Aside from that, people who are suffering from the conditions below shouldn’t be using Weighted Blankets:
- Asthma, which is characterized by difficulty in breathing due to narrowing of the airways
- Claustrophobia, which can be triggered with a large and heavy blanket
- Sleep apnea, which can disrupt a person’s breathing when asleep
Using a weighted blanket is a home remedy that offers the same benefits of deep pressure treatment. Also, this blanket has proven itself to address several conditions, such as ADHD, autism, and depression.
So, to get the most from it, always remember the 10% rule!