Benefit of Weighted Blankets

What is Weighted Blanket?

Weighted blankets are heavier than regular blankets. Weighted blankets come in his two varieties: knitted blankets and comforters. Duvet-style weighted blankets use plastic or glass beads, ball bearings, or other high-performance fillers to add weight, while knitted weighted blankets are woven from dense yarns. I'm here.

See also: What Kind Of Blanket To Use For A Picnic? 

The weighted blanket can be placed on your bed, sofa or anywhere you want to relax.

Weighted Flat Rate Benefits

Weighted blankets are inspired by a therapeutic technique called deep pressure stimulation, which uses firm, controlled pressure to induce a feeling of calm. Using a weighted blanket provides both subjective and objective benefits regarding sleep.

Providing peace of mind and comfort

Weighted blankets work in the same way swaddles keep newborns cozy and comfortable. Many people find that these blankets help them feel more secure and fall asleep faster.

Reduce stress and anxiety

Things you may interest: When can your baby sleep with a blanket at night? 

Weighted blankets help manage stress and anxiety. Stress and anxiety often interfere with sleep, so the benefits of a weighted blanket may lead to better sleep for those with stressful thoughts.

improve sleep quality

Weighted blankets use deep stress stimulation thought to increase production of the mood-boosting hormone (serotonin), lower the stress hormone (cortisol), and increase levels of melatonin, a hormone that aids sleep. . This will improve your overall sleep quality.

calms the nervous system

An overactive nervous system can cause anxiety, hyperactivity, increased heart rate, shortness of breath, and disturbed sleep. By distributing the weight and pressure evenly across the body, the weighted blanket calms the fight-or-flight response and activates the relaxed parasympathetic nervous system in preparation for sleep.

Things you may interest: What material is the blanket made of? 

Many people report improvements to these popular blankets, but there is debate as to whether weighted blankets offer all the benefits claimed by manufacturers.Like other products that advertise medicinal properties need to be careful.

People with persistent sleep problems should consult a doctor. A doctor can best assess the situation and determine whether a weighted blanket is an effective part of a comprehensive treatment approach.

Who Benefits from Weighted Blankets?

Researchers examined the effectiveness of weighted blankets in relieving physical and emotional symptoms. More research is needed, but results so far suggest that there may be benefits across a range of conditions.

fear

See also: How to Make a Muslin Swaddle Blanket 

One of the main uses of weighted blankets is anxiety treatment. Deep pressure stimulation helps to reduce autonomic nerve excitability. This agitation triggers many of the physical symptoms of anxiety, including: B. Increased heart rate.

autism

One of the hallmarks of autism, especially in children, is sleep disturbance. A small 2017 study found that deep pressure therapy (brushing, massage, compression) has positive effects on some people with autism. These benefits also apply to weighted blankets.

attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Few studies have examined the use of weighted blankets in ADHD, but a 2014 study used a weighted vest. In this study, researchers explain that weight vests are being used to treat his ADHD to improve concentration and reduce overactive movement.

The study found that participants using weight vests showed promising results on continuous performance tests. These participants experienced a reduction in completing tasks, standing up, and fidgets.

insomnia and sleep disorders

There are many factors that cause insomnia. Weighted blankets help in a simple way. The extra stress helps calm your heart rate and breathing. This will make it easier for you to relax before settling in for a good night's sleep.

togetherThere are no studies on the use of weighted blankets for osteoarthritis. However, a sTrusted SourcetudyTrusted Source that uses massage therapy may provide a link.

In a small study, her 18 participants with osteoarthritis received massage therapy on one knee for her eight weeks. Study participants found that massage therapy helped relieve knee pain and improve quality of life.

Because massage therapy puts intense pressure on joints with osteoarthritis, you can experience a similar effect with a weighted blanket.

chronic pain

Chronic pain is difficult to diagnose. However, for those with chronic pain, using a weighted blanket can help reduce pain.

His 2021 study by researchers at the University of California, San Diego found that weighted blankets may reduce the perception of chronic pain. Her 94 participants with chronic pain used a lightweight or weighted blanket for one week. People in the weighted blanket group felt relieved, especially if they were anxious.However, the weighted blanket did not reduce pain intensity.

medical procedure

Weighted blankets are helpful during medical procedures.

A 2016 study tried a weighted blanket on participants who had their wisdom teeth removed.The participants who used the weighted blanket had less anxiety symptoms than the control group.

Researchers conducted a similar follow-up study in adolescents who used weighted blankets during tooth extraction. These results also showed a reduction in anxiety levels when using weighted blankets.

Medical procedures tend to cause symptoms of anxiety, such as an increased heart rate, so using a weighted blanket can help reduce these symptoms.

Are weighted blankets safe?

Weighted blankets are generally considered safe as long as the person using the blanket has sufficient strength and dexterity to lift the blanket themselves if necessary to prevent choking or entrapment. I'm here.

Some sleepers should take extra precautions and consult a doctor before using a weighted blanket.A weighted blanket may cause chronic respiratory or circulatory problems, asthma, low blood pressure, 2 May not be suitable for people with certain medical conditions, such as type diabetes, claustrophobia. Experts also advise people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) not to use weighted blankets, as the weight of a thick blanket can restrict airflow.

Although there are weighted blankets designed specifically for children, infants should not use weighted blankets. You run the risk of being trapped underneath.

How to choose the right weighted blanket

As a general rule, a weighted blanket should account for 10% of her adult weight, according to most manufacturers' websites. Other policies are: 17

Adults can use medium to large blankets weighing 12-30 pounds.

For children between 30 and 70 pounds, a small weighted blanket weighs between 5 and 8 pounds.

See also: Cozy Cardigan

For children between 30 and 130 pounds, a medium weight blanket weighs between 5 and 15 pounds.

Never leave young children unattended in weighted blankets specifically designed for adults.

How does a weighted blanket work?

Your heart beats too fast when you're stressed. In these cases, it's important to reduce stress and use mindfulness techniques like deep breathing and meditation to lower your heart rate. Gently compressing your body with a weighted blanket activates your parasympathetic nervous system, which slows your heart rate and calms you down when you're stressed.

Weighted blankets use "pressure therapy," a form of soothing pressure applied to the entire body, similar to the feeling of being hugged, wrapped, stroked, or held. The appropriate size and weight for a weighted blanket depends on the person's needs.

Here are four situations where weighted blankets are useful for both children and adults.

Which ailments does a weighted blanket help with?

fear

Everyone experiences it once. It is a feeling of anxiety or worry, usually about the future.

As your body prepares for stress, it increases your heart rate and breathing.

If anxiety persists and interferes with your daily life, you may have an anxiety disorder. Instead of worrying about upcoming events, you may become overly concerned with everyday situations. This can make your body feel in a stressful state or environment most or all of the time.

Depending on what's going on around you, your autonomic nervous system -- which controls basic bodily functions like breathing, digestion, sweating, and shaking -- prepares your body for stress or rest. This is often called the fight or flight response.

The pressure of a heavier blanket puts your autonomic nervous system into "rest" mode and reduces some anxiety symptoms, such as: B. An accelerated heart rate or breathing. This can instill a general sense of calm.

sleep disorder

If you toss and turn in bed, you are not alone. About 20 million Americans occasionally have trouble falling asleep—more than 40 million people in the U.S. suffer from chronic long-term insomnia.

"Stress and anxiety can trigger insomnia or worsen existing problems. However, you don't have to be stressed and anxious to disrupt your sleep. Feeling anxious about the next day's test or report can keep you awake at night," Cherry, Pennsylvania Sleep Center Mt. MD, FACP, FCCP, MD, FACP, FCCP explained.

Because the pressure of weighted blankets prepares your body for rest by calming your heart rate and breathing, they help your body settle down to get the sleep it needs so you can wake up refreshed.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

"Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have difficulty controlling themselves, especially when it comes to attention and sitting. This can cause problems at school or at home and affect their learning and relationships with friends and family, " said Dr. Levinson.

Children with ADHD are often distracted by what's going on around them, such as B. other people talking or what's going on outside. They find it harder to focus on the things they want to focus on, like a teacher's speech.

By activating touch, weighted blankets prevent children from being overwhelmed by other sensory stimuli, such as: B. Ambient noises, distractions. This can help them be more alert, stay focused, stay in their seats and reduce fidgeting. If your child doesn't want to use a blanket in class, you can buy them a weighted vest that acts like a blanket.

autism

Dr. Levinson explained: "When someone has an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), they find it difficult to interact socially. This can lead to anxiety and stress, and make it difficult to work in school, in the workplace and in public places. .”

Stressing a heavier blanket can reduce stress for people with autism and improve their ability to focus on the task at hand. It can also make them feel like they're getting something in return.

People with ASD may also feel that sensory stimuli around them, such as sound and touch, are too intense. This can make activities such as gaming, work, and socializing difficult. The pressure of a weighted blanket can actually help soothe and relax the feeling of overstimulation.

Interested in weighted blankets or other ways to ease anxiety? Make an appointment online or call 800-789-7366 to discuss your anxiety and coping options with a Penn Medicine family physician.

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