A weighted blanket is a type of blanket that contains small plastic or glass beads, which are evenly distributed throughout the blanket. The weight offers a feeling of comfort and security by pressing down on a person’s body, reducing anxiety, and promoting relaxation.
If you’re considering buying a weighted blanket, it may be helpful to know how they work and if they might be right for you. In this post, we’ll answer these questions and more! You’ll learn about the main benefits of using a weighted blanket as well as who might benefit from it most.
Blanket For Anxiety – How Do They Work?
Weighted blankets are designed with the idea that pressure is soothing, so they help you feel weighed down and relaxed.
They can help calm you down by blocking out extra noises and distractions, providing comfort when feeling homesick, increasing confidence in controlling your environment, and decreasing symptoms of stress or anxiety.
These benefits are especially useful for children who struggle with sleep disruptions due to trauma or behavioral issues.
Weighted blankets are filled with a wide variety of natural and synthetic materials. The most common type of filling is glass beads, which can range in weight from 3 to 8 pounds.
Other fillings include sand, rice, millet seeds, and plastic pellets. Some companies make blankets out of a combination of fillings in order to achieve the desired weight per blanket.
Benefits Of Using A Weighted Blanket
Now that you know how weighted blankets work, let’s talk about some of the main benefits associated with using one. These benefits are both physical and mental.
Some of the more common benefits include:
- Increased Blood Flow
- Decrease In Restlessness
- Stabilization Of Mood
- Increased Tolerance To Noise
- Increased Tolerance To Heat
- Enhanced Sleep Quality
- Heightened Focus
Heavy weighted blanket
Can a weighted blanket be too heavy? If you’re a petite person, it may be uncomfortable to use a weighted blanket that weighs more than 5 pounds per square inch of blanket surface. If you have trouble with heat or fabric sensitivity, it’s best to choose a lighter weighted blanket. You should also consider your bed measurements – a queen size weighted blanket may be too large for a standard bed.
Weighted Blankets For Kids – Who Should Use Them?
Weighted blankets are a great option for kids with anxiety and disorders such as ADHD. They can help children focus, calm down and sleep better when they’re feeling scared or anxious.
They can also improve a child’s focus and increase their tolerance to noise and changes in temperature. If you have a child with sensory processing disorders or ADHD, a weighted blanket may help to calm them down and help them sleep better at night. In more severe cases, they can be used to treat anxiety and insomnia.
In conclusion, weighted blankets can be a helpful tool in reducing anxiety and calming down kids before bedtime. It’s important to seek the advice of your physician before using one if you or your child is ill or on medication.