The increasingly modern busy life has its own benefits, but stress and anxiety are part and parcel of this life. Most adults forget what sound and peaceful sleep look like as stress and anxiety do not leave them unattended. There are rarely a few who go to bed with peace of mind, but most are accompanied by stress and anxiety. For them, the ultimate solution, indeed, is weighted blankets for adults. These are also known as therapeutic blankets weighing between 10 to 20 pounds. Their pressure performs a therapeutic effect known as deep pressure stimulation, which helps relieve pain and stress, reduce anxiety, and enhance mood.
It has been proven through several researches in the past that pressure stimulation reduces autonomic arousal, which actually causes anxiety. Investigators have found in the above study that 33 percent of the stress of 33 people reduced by using these blankets. It is also helpful in recovering from insomnia, sleep disorder, and chronic pain. These blankets may carry health benefits, too. It is best to choose a blanket made of natural fiber, such as 100% cotton. The other blankets made of polyester are typically much hotter.
Working
These blankets have a weight that gives relaxing pressure; as mentioned above, the swaddling, snuggling effect provides a soothing feeling while sleeping. These blankets help you in many ways. Let’s have a look at a few:
1. Better sleep
As these blankets have weight, the pressure these blankets will exert may generate nervous system responses that help in reducing your heart rate when you have anxiety issues. This may result in better sleep.
2. Activate natural chemicals – oxytocin and serotonin
Pressure may help the body release the chemical oxytocin, which may improve your immune system response, ease pain and stress, and help you sleep.
The pressure can make your brain ready to release a serotonin chemical, which calms your brain and body because serotonin helps keep food fresh and helps deep sleep.
3. Sensory healing
These blankets may help some people with autism spectrum disorder which is overstimulated by their noise. The pressure of a blanket may help them in taking rest.
Where to Get One
Weighted blankets are sold at department stores, drugstores, or online like on Amazon. Weighted blankets are not economical. They often cost between $65 and $200.
Are They Worth Buying?
There’s no concrete proof that these blankets cope with stress and anxiety in adults, but sales of these blankets have soared over the last two years which can help us conclude that it indeed has health benefits.
These blankets are the best therapy available at home because it gives benefits like deep pressure therapy. These prove helpful in several conditions such as anxiety and stress, leading to different sleeping disorders if you want to choose one for your family and yourself. Go for the soft option that must be the snug size and is about 9 percent of the weight of your body.
Pay attention to the Instructions
Read the instructions properly for washing. Try to wash at home. Make sure the fabric is soft, and you are comfortable with how much it weighs. Because feeling too hot or trapped by the blanket’s weight will not be suitable for you.
To conclude, a weighted blanket’s pressure creates a soothing effect that helps to sleep better. This makes an anxious person enjoy deep sleep and also helps in reducing pain, stress, and anxiety. People suffering from several painful diseases relax with a weighted blanket. This is an excellent alternative to have sleeping pills at night.
3 thoughts on “Can Weighted Blankets Help Reduce Stress and Anxiety?”