The Healthy Benefits of Weighted Blankets
A nice and cozy blanket is essential in any household. It keeps you warm in cold weather and helps you sleep better at night. The weight of a blanket can have a huge influence on your overall health. The heavier the blanket, the better it makes you feel. A weighted blanket is a comforter made with plastic fillers to make them heavier. These have been around for a long time and are used for conditions like insomnia and anxiety.
Benefits of using a weighted blanket for certain health conditions:
ADHD
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a chronic condition observed in children as well as adults in which the patient finds it difficult to focus on one task or thing for a longer period. People suffering from ADHD could greatly benefit from the use of weighted blankets as they are known to help improve attention and reduce hyperactivity.
Sleep disorders
Weighted blankets can be a great aid in assisting people who find trouble sleeping at night and find themselves tossing and turning through the hours, either due to stress and anxiety or underlying conditions like insomnia. The weight from such blankets helps give the body a sense of calm and gets it ready for resting.
Anxiety
Whether it is something specific keeping you up at night or if it is a general feeling of discomfort, weighted blankets have been used to treat anxiety and anxiety-related disorders for a long time. The weight of a blanket helps calm your body by slowing down the breath and the heart rate, bringing it to a state of relaxation.
Osteoarthritis
Since massage therapy has proven to be quite helpful for helping patients suffering from osteoarthritis by applying deep pressure on concerning joints, a weighted blanket could provide some comfort to patients due to the pressure applied.
Autism
In patients suffering from Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), commonly called autism, it is observed that they often have trouble falling asleep. Ìt has been observed that children suffering from autism have found it very helpful to sleep with a weighted blanket as it helps with calming stress and anxiety in such patients and helps them sleep peacefully at night.
Weighted blankets are available in several shapes, colors, and sizes and can weigh anywhere between five to 25 pounds. While these are quite expensive and can cost over $100 to buy, they can prove to be a good investment in your health and wellness. It is not recommended to use a weighted blanket if a patient suffers from conditions like claustrophobia, sleep apnea, or other respiratory problems.