Benefits of sleeping with a weighted blanket
Weighted blankets have been around for some time and are popular in the autism community for helping individuals deal with stress and anxiety. But did you know they could be a solution to insomnia and sleepless nights?
A therapeutic blanket, also known as a weighted blanket, is a heavy blanket designed to add pressure to your body and reduce overall levels of anxiety. According to Penn Medicine, pressure calms a person down by activating their parasympathetic nervous system, which decreases their heart rate when they’re feeling stressed. By doing so, it brings your body to a relaxed state, allowing you to sleep more deeply.
Benefits of a weighted blanket
Some of the benefits of using a weighted blanket include:
A feeling of comfort and security
Weighted blankets are designed to be heavier than standard blankets, and are known to work in the same way a tight swaddle helps newborns feel snug and cosy. Hence, many find these blankets help them fall asleep quicker as it makes them feel more secure in their beds.
Eased stress and anxiety
A weighted blanket is commonly used to assist in relieving feelings and symptoms of anxiety. The technology behind weighted blankets, also known as Deep Pressure Stimulation (DPS), is known to help induce parasympathetic responses. DPS is a form of sensation also produced when an individual is hugged, squeezed or stroked.
When the parasympathetic nervous system kicks in, it can promote feelings of calmness and relieve the effects of anxiety. Studies conducted in an inpatient mental health facility showed that those who used weighted blankets had a significant drop in their anxiety levels as compared to those who did not.
Improved quality of sleep
Deep Pressure Stimulation (DPS) is believed to assist in the production of serotonin - a hormone that helps you sleep. Therefore, weighted blankets may help improve overall sleep quality and increase productivity the next day.
Improved sleep for children with autism
Children with autism (ADS) often report struggling with sleep. Research has shown immediate effects of Deep Pressure Stimulation (DPS) on young people with autism.
Reduced chronic pain
People who are suffering from chronic pain may find relief through the use of weighted blankets. Studies have claimed that the widespread pressure of weighted blankets can reduce the severity of chronic pain, making it a convenient home-based treatment for chronic pain.
Better sleep during medical procedures
As medical procedures tend to cause anxiety amongst patients, a weighted blanket may help with easing those symptoms and promoting better sleep.
A study showed the positive effects of DPS during wisdom tooth extraction - it helped significantly decrease stress in patients who had recently undergone their wisdom tooth surgery.
Are there any risks associated with weighted blankets?
There are very few risks associated with weighted blankets, however, they should never be used on toddlers under 2-years old. A weighted blanket may also be unsuitable for people suffering from:
Obstructive sleep apnea, where patient experiences disrupted breathing during sleep
Asthma, where the sufferer has trouble breathing at night
Claustrophobia, where the weight and pressure of the weighted blanket may trigger the illness
Key takeaway
If you’re suffering from sleepless nights or insomnia, and have tried other treatment options but find that nothing works, you may want to try weighted blankets as an alternative. There is minimal risk associated with this type of DPS therapy, and is a great treatment option to consider!
IF YOU’RE EXPERIENCING PERSISTENT DISRUPTIONS TO YOUR SLEEP, CONSULT WITH A PHARMACIST OR TRUSTED MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL TO DISCUSS POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS.
Any advice provided in this content is of a general nature and does not take into account your objectives, health or needs. The information in this post is not intended to substitute medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be exclusively relied on to diagnose or manage a medical condition. You need to consider the appropriateness of any information or general advice we give you, having regard to your personal situation, before acting on our advice or purchasing any over-the-counter sleep product.