Collection: Weighted Blankets

Benefits Of Using Weighted Blankets For Sleep Issues

DescriptionA weighted blanket can be described as a thick blanket that's used on the head to help sleep at night and minimize stress and anxiety during the day. At first, weighted blankets were primarily used as therapeutic aids to help people with autism, dementia, and other psychological illnesses. Now, they've become a popular, even mainstream, home product. They are available in a variety of colors, weights, and styles and can be found at virtually any department store or toy store.

Why Have They Become So Popular? There are a number of theories regarding the rise of ADHD and the role the environment plays in its development. One theory is that as our brains mature, we lose some of our ability to control attention and can become easily distracted by what we're reading, watching television, playing video games, eating, etc. On the other hand, there are others who believe that environmental factors such as poor nutrition, too much exercise, excessive caffeine, and other stimulants may play a role.

So what exactly are weighted blankets? These blankets are designed so that they provide a certain amount of pressure along certain lines, which allows the person wearing it to calm down and fall asleep easier. The pressure point can be varied and the blanket will adjust accordingly to provide the best calming effect.

How Do They Work? Weighted blankets work by providing a certain amount of pressure along certain lines in the head. For instance, there are two thin strips of plastic pellets that are connected by a thin line in the center. Whenever someone wears a weighted blanket, this plastic pellets line up along this line and are gradually stretched until the desired amount of pressure is reached.

How Does It Work? There have been studies done on children with Asperger's syndrome, high stress African American children, and children with ADHD. The studies have all shown that when these children were wearing weighted blankets, their symptoms of anxiety or depression were reduced or eliminated. In addition, their levels of cortisol, a hormone that contributes to feelings of anxiety and depression, were significantly lower. Cortisol levels are indicative of mood disorders like depression and anxiety, so the reduction of this hormone could have a profound impact on symptoms like autism.

Why Use Them? In addition to using them for sleep issues, researchers have found that they are also effective in combating a number of other conditions. For instance, many researchers have found that the weighted blankets reduce chronic pain in people suffering from fibromyalgia. Also, researchers have found that they are as effective as many pharmaceuticals used to treat inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis and Lupus.

Why Plastic Pellets Don't Work? Because they are not insulated well, researchers have found that weightless blankets do not help keep your body warm. This means that even if you get a good night's rest, you may not be as refreshed the next morning. Scientists have theorized that since heated plastic pellets cannot be insulated, heat loss from plastic pellets to the air is not accomplished, which in turn means that the heart rate and other metabolic rates of the human body are raised.

Is There A Sizes Limit? Although researchers have not pinpointed a size, most people do agree that it is best to choose blankets that are smaller and more compact. Some blankets even have space for interchangeable plastic pellets. If you are looking for a blanket that can be used and stored easily, a larger blanket may not be the better option, especially if the blanket will be used multiple times.