Going to bed after a long, tiring day should be a moment of complete relaxation. For people who suffer from anxiety or restless thoughts, having access to this relief is far from guarantee. Pressure blankets were thought of and manufactured to make bedtime a more relaxing and comfortable. These therapeutic blankets generally weigh between 10 and 30 pounds and are designed to evenly distribute weight over the body, creation a sensation of being enveloped. This gentle weight has the effect of stimulating “feel good” chemicals in the brain like dopamine and serotonin. While the therapeutic benefits of pressure blankets make them particularly helpful for people with autism, insomnia, or anxiety, anyone with a stressful life can enjoy the experience. Here are five benefits of using these special blankets.
1. They Stimulate Pressure Points in your Body
The pressure blanket pushes down on your body in a way that mimics a comforting touch and is similar to a massage. This weight activates several pressure points in your body, which has a powerful and beneficial effect. The sensation can reduce your levels of cortisol, which is a stress hormone that contributes to feelings of anxiety. The impact of this gentle stimulation is calming, comforting, and promotes a sense of well-being.
2. They Promote Deep Sleep
People who have insomnia and other sleep-related problems are often unable to get their brains to settle down, no matter how tired they are. The sensation of comfort created by pressure blankets increases levels of melatonin, a hormone that is crucial for restful sleep. It’s the same reason that mothers swaddle their babies very tightly to help them feel calm and settle into sleep. The soothing effect of simulated touch creates a sense of calm in both the body and the brain. The person using this blanket can fall asleep more quickly and stay asleep without constantly waking up.
3. They Reduce Anxious Thoughts and Feelings
Pressure blankets provide relief from anxiety because of their calming effect on the nervous system. Anxiety happens when your fight or flight response is triggered, which is what causes an increased heart rate. The stimulation of your pressure points caused by a weighted blanket gives your body a cue to feel safe and relaxed. The brain stays at ease and the feelings of anxiety reduce or subside altogether.
4. They Provide Stress Relief During the Day
While pressure blankets are an excellent tool for bedtime, they can offer much more. The way this blanket wraps you upoffers stress relief so that you can deal with the ups and downs in life on a daily basis. You can wrap around this blanket while watching TV, reading a book, or simply resting. In particular, during moments of intense stress, a weighted blanket can be useful for feeling calm and boosting your mood.
5. They Help Improve Symptoms from Restless Leg Syndrome
People who suffer from Restless Leg Syndrome have an overwhelming desire to shake and move their legs, often when they’re in bed trying to sleep. Using a weighted blanket can soothe the tension caused by this condition. The natural weight of the blanket is also a counterbalance for the impulse to move, simply by weighing your leg down more. This distributed pressure allows the wearer to relax and finally sleep.
6. They Improve Focus and Concentration
One of thegood things about reducing stress and getting deeper sleep is that the ability to concentrate is improved, especially in children. Part of the reason for this benefit is simply that people who use this blanket sleep better. Not getting enough sleep impacts many aspectsof life,creating a general brain fog that makes it difficult to focus. Pressure blankets are known to be very beneficial for children with autism or sensory processing disorders because they reducesensory overload.
Pressure blankets are an all-natural, effective way of getting better sleep, reducing stress, and promoting feelings of well-being. Whether you use it as a bedtime aid or as a way to relax during the day, you can make the most out of this blanket as compared to other regular blankets to promote better sleep and live an overall healthy life.
Meanwhile, there are a few cons that can come with sleeping under the weight – here’s how we’ve addressed these potential downsides.
Blankets with weights may become too warm
Many people have a tendency to be hot sleepers, meaning that when using a pressure blanket while they are dozing, they quickly become uncomfortable or too warm. Unlike traditional heavy blankets, which aren’t permeable, our cutting-edge design maximizes airflow to keep even hot sleepers comfortably cool.
In order to avoid overheating while you sleep, try to find a pressure blanket that is cooling and has a natural fiber cover.
Pressure blanket production is not sustainable
The conventional method of giving weight to a polyester blanket by stuffing it with plastic beads or pellets does not offer a particularly environmentally friendly manufacturing process. If you’re worried about how your purchase will affect the environment, choose a weighted blanket made of sustainable materials and devoid of artificial fillers.
Pressure blankets pose a risk to younger children
Pressure blankets aren’t advised for kids under four because toddlers aren’t yet strong enough to lift a heavy blanket off of their frail bodies. For instance, breathing problems might result if the pressure blanket covers their faces in some way and they are unable to remove it. Additionally, it might make young children overheat.
Are pressure blankets machine washable?
Pressure blankets can be cleaned in a machine, yes! The best option for cleaning stains on pressure blankets is to use a mild detergent to spot-clean any areas that have gotten dirty. If your pressure blanket weighs more than 10 pounds, take it to a laundromat instead because commercial washing machines are better equipped to handle heavy loads than home washers.
Try using the blanket with a duvet cover to reduce how frequently you wash it. As a way to keep comforters and duvet fillings clean, duvet covers are frequently used. With a pressure blanket, though, can also be used. If you use a duvet cover, you might be able to get away with washing a pressure blanket three or four times per year.
Do side sleepers benefit from pressure blankets?
Regardless of their preferred sleeping position, people can benefit from pressure blankets. However, we advise using a pressure blanket no heavier than 15 pounds when side sleeping. Your side may feel too much pressure from a blanket that is too heavy. Your body may be forced downward by this additional pressure, which could hurt.
Is it acceptable to use a pressure blanket at night?
The use of your blanket each night is acceptable. It’s best to use pressure blankets frequently because they actually get better over time. Some prefer to use their pressure blanket for no more than 20 to 30 minutes before going to bed. But it’s acceptable to use a pressure blanket all night long, every night.
How can I tell if a pressure blanket is too heavy?
Pressure blankets come in a variety of weights, but there are some obvious indicators that a weighted blanket is too heavy for you:
- It’s difficult for you to move around under the blanket.
- You have trouble breathing or feel suffocated (claustrophobia)
- You experience a sense of helplessness and unease.
- You lack calm and feel restless
- You have trouble falling asleep.
Conclusion
Whether your goal is to simply get better sleep and mental health, or whether you also want to treat a specific health condition, pressure blankets have a lot to offer. It does take some time to get used to them. However, if you use your pressure blanket regularly for a few weeks, you might find that you fall asleep more quickly. Additionally, you might experience a decrease in anxiety or an increase in energy.
Despite their frequent use in therapeutic settings, pressure blankets are easily accessible at drugstores, department stores, and online retailers.
They cost a little more than the typical throw blanket. However, a lot of people who own pressure blankets claim that they are priceless. We advise buying a duvet cover along with a weighted blanket even though it is an additional expense. A weighted blanket can be shielded from spills, stains, and dirt by duvet covers.