Before, weighted blankets (also known as gravity blankets) were only used for therapeutic purposes. However, as time passed by, weighted blankets were made available for the public to enjoy their numerous benefits. It mainly benefited mostly adults but was not recommended for children below three years old due to safety issues.
What Are Weighted Blankets?
Weighted Blankets are just like regular blankets but with added weight. Some materials used to make it weighty are plastic pellets, rice, or glass beads. If you are wondering how much do weighted blankets weigh for adults and children, usually the weight is typically 10% of the ideal body weight of the person. It gives the user deep pressure stimulation that can significantly improve one’s sleep.
Keep reading to see some surprising benefits of weighted blankets
Offer Deep Pressure Stimulation (DPS)
As mentioned earlier, Deep Pressure Stimulation promotes better and quality sleep to the user. Typically, we can get Deep Pressure Stimulation from deep pressure massages, or deep pressure touch like a simple hug. DPS activates the parasympathetic nervous system. It is a body system in which it promotes a sense of calm and peace to the mind and body.
Fights Insomnia
If you are having trouble sleeping during the night, then weighted blankets are very beneficial since it promotes deep and quality sleep to its users. Since it activates the parasympathetic nervous system, it slows down your heart rate, relaxes your muscles. Moreover, it helps your body to release endorphins, also known as the happy hormone. Stress and anxiety are the common causes of Insomnia, and since weighted blankets help your body to produce the said hormone, you have a better fighting chance of getting a night of deep sleep.
Moreover, most of the people who experience Insomnia are the elderly. As we grow old, the sleep cycle of our human body changes significantly. And it makes it difficult for older adults to get a deep sleep. Studies show that weighted blankets help the elderly to improve the quality of their sleep, and the number of hours they get to sleep at night.
Helps Fight RLS
Restless leg syndrome or RLS is a condition where a person experiences an uncontrollable urge in moving his/her legs. Since the symptoms of RLS usually occur during the night, it disrupts one’s sleep causing the person to become stressed. By adding Deep Pressure Stimulation through the use of weighted blankets, it helps the legs muscles to become calmer and relaxed.
Helps Alleviate PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD were normally experienced by people who witnessed a terrifying or traumatic event. Most of the patients of PTSD are facing nightmares causing severe anxiety and depression. With the use of weighted blankets, the occurrence of PTSD attacks was lessened, and the patients get better sleep during the night. Moreover, as mentioned earlier, weighted blankets help the body to release the happy hormone, which can help the patient recover faster from the traumatic event.
If you are planning to buy a weighted blanket, make sure to ask the dealer how much do weighted blankets weigh for you and your loved ones to avoid safety issues.
For more great tips on family topics, check out the other blogs on Cyber Parent.