Why Sleeping With a Weighted Blanket Is Good for You

Weighted blankets weigh anywhere from 5 to 30 pounds and they can provide you with therapeutic benefits. This is because they mimic a technique known as deep pressure. In fact, the pressure can be described as feeling like someone is hugging you. At first, this blanket was used by therapists, but it can give you different benefits on daily basis.

We at Bright Side understand how important sleep can be and we always look for different ways to help you get a good night’s sleep. After learning about the weighted blanket benefits, you might find out that it’s just what you have been looking for.

1. You will get a hug.

The weighted blanket simulates a pressure that feels like a warm and safe hug. A hug is very important because it has the power to create a feeling of relaxation due to the release of the hormone oxytocin. At the same time, your heart rate might get slower and your blood pressure might get lower, which will relax your body and improve your sleep.

2. It can help you fight anxiety.

The weighted blanket simulates a deep touch that might provide you with a calming feeling. It’s great to use this to feel calm and at ease, which will help you fall asleep faster. Plus, if you are suffering from anxiety or ADHD you might notice that your symptoms will get less intense.

3. It might help you stay focused.

School can be a real challenge, especially if you are a student who has a sensory disorder like autism. The classrooms, the noise, and the hallways can become overwhelming for you and this might upset and frustrate you. The weighted blanket applies a gentle and yet firm pressure that could help soothe the anxiety caused by sensory disorders and help you get a restful sleep.

4. It might help you relieve pain.

The blanket can help you “ground” your body while you sleep and create a calming effect. Then in combination with the pressure, it might help you with mental and physical pain. This might lead to reducing your painkillers and to you feeling more refreshed in the morning.

5. You will get better sleep.

You might experience fatigue due to a lack of sleep or poor quality sleep. Even though you think that you are getting a good night’s sleep every night, you might not be getting a restful one and this can be the reason why you wake up tired. Switching your regular blanket for a weighted one can improve your sleep quality. You might start falling asleep faster, sleep for longer, and even finally feel rested when you wake up.

6. Your stress levels will decrease.

If you are dealing with stress and its uncomfortable symptoms, you might need more of the mood-lifting chemical, serotonin. The weighted blanket’s deep pressure can help with producing more serotonin, which lowers the stress hormone. It might help you feel more relaxed and even ease the sadness.

7. It can ease mental disorders.

You might benefit from the therapeutic touch of the weighted blanket. It could help you deal with traumatic events and ease other mental disorders like depression and even obsessive-compulsive disorder. Even though OCD is unique for everyone — just like with stress, it’s linked to low levels of serotonin. The deep pressure might work as therapy by boosting serotonin and keep the OCD symptoms under control.

8. It might help with restless leg syndrome.

Restless leg syndrome can be a burden when you sleep. This is because the tingling is most evident at night and can disturb your sleep. Even though compression socks can help you a bit, they can feel uncomfortable because they are tight. On the other side, a weighted blanket might help you feel more comfortable and provide you with the relaxation pressure your legs need.

Do you use a weighted blanket? Have you noticed any other benefits? How could a weighted blanket help you?