Are weighted blankets good for stress?
If you suffer from anxiety or are feeling stressed out, you've probably heard an overwhelming number of remedies. We know, lots of them don't work.
But what about weighted blankets?
They've risen in popularity recently, with a lot of users swearing by them and sure, they have a lot of benefits. But do they help when it comes to stress and anxiety?
What is a weighted blanket?
A weighted blanket is essentially a heavy blanket design to help provide comfort and help to provide relief for anxiety. They're filled with pockets of weighted materials, usually glass beads or plastic pellets that evenly distribute the weight over the blanket.
Reasons for getting one:
- You have anxiety or depression
- You have insomnia
- General comfort
- You have autism or Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
How heavy should my weighted blanket be?
Experts recommend 10% of your body weight, however, you can go heavier or lighter depending on your personal preference.
Who can benefit from a weighted blanket?
A weighted calming blanket can be incredibly beneficial for those with anxiety, stress-related issues or sleep disorders like sleep apnea and insomnia.
Anxiety and depression
Purchasing a weighted blanket for anxiety and depression can help! Those with anxiety and depression tend to suffer from insomnia. This can loop around and make the anxiety and depression even worse. The soothing effects of a weighted blanket can help reduce insomnia symptoms!
Insomnia
The deep pressure stimulation from the blanket is thought to increase the production of serotonin (the happy hormone, reduce cortisol (the stress hormone) and increase melatonin (the sleepy hormone).
Autism Spectrum Disorders
The deep pressure of the blanket allows those with autism to focus on that rather than other sensory stimuli from their surroundings. Studies have found that the pressure from the heavy blanket provides comfort and allows them to be calm in situations that might be too much for them.
Many studies have shown that they do in fact work. One study found that college students who used weighted blankets for sleep had lower anxiety and better sleep quality.
Do they help with stress?
Similarly, stressing about problems in your life is going to stop you from getting a full night's rest. The deep touch pressure from the blanket mimics the effects of hugging, stroking and cuddling - helping you to relax and feel safe before bed.
Here are some ways a weighted blanket for adults can help with stress:
Calms nerves - the pressure from the blanket can trigger your nervous system responses, lowering your heart rate and breathing.
Increases serotonin - deep touch pressure can send signals to your brain to release serotonin, making you feel happier and calmer. If you struggle with sleeping, extra serotonin can help with that too.
Feels like a hug - a weighted blanket can mimic the feeling of a hug, or being held which naturally lowers your heart rate. If you don't have anyone to snuggle up to at night, a weighted blanket might just be for you.
If life is feeling overwhelming and disrupting your sleep, the Echor Luxe Weighted Blanket might be the perfect sleeping aid! The blanket's heavy weight provides deep, gentle pressures that give you the feeling of being hugged, stroked and cuddled. These feelings release serotonin and melatonin, allowing you to drift off to sleep earlier!
