Benefits of a Weighted Blanket

You’ve probably heard the term “weighted blanket” many times and might have thought, “it’s just a heavy blanket, right?”. Though you wouldn’t be wrong, as weighted blankets do indeed have a weight to them,  they are far more than simply a heavier option to cover up with. Studies show that weighted blankets can be beneficial for reducing stress and anxiety, and testimonials from owners who have used them for years prove that curling up under the comforting embrace of a weighted blanket can be beneficial for just about everyone.

How much benefit you’ll receive depends on your personal needs and use for the weighted blanket, and it varies from person to person.

How does a weighted blanket work

Weighted blankets are made by sewing pockets of hypoallergenic, non-toxic pellets into the fabric, evenly distributing the increased weight across the entire blanket. When draped naturally and evenly across your body, or part of your body, it provides just enough gentle pressure to release a few different chemicals into your system: oxytocin, melatonin, and serotonin. Collectively, these chemicals relax the body, reduce stress, and induce a general feeling of happiness and security.

So that’s the scientific explanation. Now, what does this mean for you?

Essentially, weighted blankets feel like a hug, and come with all the same benefits. The sense of happiness, well-being, and security you get from being hugged is why weighted blankets have been known to help people with sleeping issues, anxiety, Autism and a wide range of other health conditions.

In fact, the weighted blanket was originally used in therapy to help treat such conditions, until it’s more recent widespread popularity.

How A Weighted Blanket Can Benefit You

Weighted blankets are by no means a medical device or meant to cure or even treat the symptoms of medical conditions. But many weighted blanket owners have benefited from its calming effects. Weighted blankets have been known to:

✓Improve Your Sleep

✓Help You Relax

✓Reduce Your Stress

✓Relieve Your Discomfort

✓Encourage Your Well Being

 

Therapeutic Benefits of Weighted Blankets

The gentle pressure of a weighted blanket makes it an effective deep pressure touch therapy tool, a treatment used to help alleviate the symptoms of many conditions. A weighted blanket is not meant to replace any kind of therapy or medical treatment, but there are specific conditions that have seen improvements by adding it to their therapy. A few of these conditions include:  

• Anxiety
  With anxiety disorders on the rise, more and more studies are being conducted on the effects of weighted blankets to help treat the symptoms, which can be extremely debilitating. Most of us have experienced some form of anxiety from things like delivering a best man’s speech to 500 people, big life changes, before a major surgery, etc. But those with anxiety disorders suffer from severe anxiety symptoms that come on suddenly, without warning, and with seemingly no cause. The gentle pressure of weighted blankets releases chemicals in the brain that are known to relax the body, slow your heart, and can have a calming effect that helps relieve chronic anxiety symptoms.
  
  
• Sensory Processing Disorders
  While you should always consult your doctor first before introducing any kind of new therapy for your child with Sensory Processing Disorder, there have been many cases in which children have benefited from deep pressure touch stimulation. This technique has been used to help children for years, well before weighted blankets went mainstream.
  
  
• Insomnia and sleep disorders
  Most of us have had those nights where we’ve tossed and turned for hours with no sign of sleep, and when we finally fall asleep, we still wake up tired, groggy, and unrefreshed. But for the average person, this isn’t every night. If you have a sleeping disorder like insomnia, you probably can’t remember the last time you had a good night’s sleep. Conditions like these are not just frustrating, they’re extremely debilitating. Weighted blankets have been known to help with this as well. Studies show that those suffering from insomnia were able to sleep better, more comfortably, and wake up feeling more refreshed after sleeping under a weighted blanket.
  
  
• ADD/ADHD Spectrum Disorder
  If you have a child with this type of disorder, then you know treatment is never as simple as prescribing medication. Every child struggling with ADD/ADHD is different and responds differently to treatments. The calming effects of weighted blankets have made them a helpful tool for many occupational therapists treating children with ADD and ADHD, even before the blankets went mainstream. They can be a safe and comfortable way to help your child manage their hyperactivity and insecurity, and help improve their focus.
  
  
• Asperger’s and Autism Spectrum Disorder
  Trying to explain what a child with autism is going through rarely does the disorder any justice. It’s a complex condition that can be particularly hard on families, as many of the symptoms of autism mean that children don’t always respond well to physical acts of love and affection, yet they still need it nonetheless. So how do you help your child feel safe and secure without touch? This is where weighted blankets have been used to help children with autism. Research has shown that they can help children with autism sleep, reduce their anxiety, and improve their focus.

Benefits of Mosaic’s Weighted Blankets

We’ve been making our customized, personal weighted blankets since 2011, designing them with every customer’s individual needs and preferences in mind. From full-size weighted blankets to lap and neck weighted blankets, you can choose exactly what kind of blanket would suit your needs best. If you need help determining what kind of weighted blanket to get, check out our Choosing a Weighted Blanket article for a step by step guide, size guide, and details to consider.