BETTER SLEEP - Canada's Premium Weighted Blanket

How Weighted Blankets Help with Anxiety?

How Weighted Blankets Help with Anxiety? - BETTER SLEEP - Canada's Premium Weighted Blanket

Let’s delve into the science of how weighted blankets can help you overcome stress and anxiety naturally.

  • Weighted blankets have been shown to reduce anxiety in recent studies.
  • Deep Touch Pressure (DTP) is the science underlying weighted blankets, and DTP has several scientifically proven benefits.
  • Our weighted blankets are filler-free, unlike traditional ones, which means more even weight distribution, more effective DTP, and more peace. 

Is it difficult for you to concentrate during the day or fall asleep at night because of your anxiety? Others are having sweet dreams while you're wide up counting worries? 

A weighted blanket can be beneficial. Yes, it can if you have one. 

While stress can be transient, many of us are plagued by anxiety all of the time. These sensations of dread and anxiety can substantially impact one's general health and well-being. This article describes how weighted blankets for individuals with anxiety function and answers frequently asked concerns about lowering stress by sleeping with a weighted blanket

Do Weighted Blankets Help with Anxiety?

Recent studies support the use of a thick blanket to relieve anxiety. Patients getting chemotherapy felt less worried when they used a weighted blanket, according to a study published in the Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing in August 2020. 

According to researchers, weighted blankets are also beneficial for people with chronic diseases like fibromyalgia or RLS, disorders like PTSD, and anyone suffering from elevated anxiety levels. 

The American Sleep Association, Harvard University, and The Cleveland Clinic all agree that a weighted blanket can help with anxiety. 

Weighted Blankets for Mental Health

Adult weighted anxiety blankets are an excellent tool to have in your toolbox when dealing with not only your anxiety but also your entire mental health. For those suffering from PTSD or other sleep-related issues, utilizing a weighted blanket can help alleviate symptoms such as elevated cortisol levels, hyper-vigilance, or over-tiredness. 

Weighted blankets for PTSD are similar to weighted blankets for depression in that they work to reduce anxiety by increasing serotonin production in the body. Once you've established a routine of using a weighted blanket, you'll notice that it helps to relax your mind and body in ways that improve your sleep and energy levels during the day. You'll notice that when you're well-rested, your mood improves as well. 

How does a Weighted Blanket reduce Anxiety?

Let’s break down the science of sleeping under Weighted Blankets.

Earthing of the Body

We can feel more comfortable by "grounding" or "earthing" our bodies by pulling them lower with the help of substantial weight. As a result, sensations of tension are reduced, making it easier to drop off to sleep. Is this a touch too hippy-dippy for you? Continue reading.

Deep Touch Pressure

The theory of weighted blankets boils down to the increased pressure activating Deep Touch Pressure, which is combined with the effects of "earthing" (DTP). Higher serotonin (the happy hormone), increased melatonin (the sleep hormone), and lower cortisol is just a few of the research-backed advantages of DTP (the stress hormone). For better understanding let's dig into the functioning of all these hormones.

What is Serotonin?

Serotonin is a substance produced by our nerve cells that serve as a transmitter, transmitting information between cells. It's found primarily in the brain and intestines, but it's also found in our blood platelets. It has an impact on different psychological and biological activities because it is placed in these crucial parts of the body.

Serotonin regulates our blood pressure, heart rate, and mood via interacting with other systems. This final point is particularly important when it comes to mental wellness. It's regarded as a natural mood stabilizer that reduces worry and enhances feelings of joy. This is a very potent chemical!

Depression, anxiety, and insomnia have all been linked to low serotonin levels. DTP induces a surge in serotonin levels, which has a calming, soothing, and quiet impact. Serotonin naturally lowers the stress, which is then followed by lowering the anxiety.

Functioning of Melatonin

As sleep approaches, serotonin naturally transforms into melatonin, the hormone that tells your body it's time to shut down. Your body is now poised for deeper, more peaceful sleep, with serotonin levels up and melatonin naturally flowing.

Cortisol, your body's natural stress hormone, is another important component of this chemical equation. It's also known as the body's built-in alarm system, as it communicates with your brain to regulate your motivation, fear sensors, and mood.

Balances Cortisol levels

We have higher levels of cortisol in our bodies when we're stressed. Constant stress essentially keeps your cortisol switch turned on all the time, raising your heart rate, and blood pressure, and kicking other body systems into high gear as well. It can also make it more difficult to fall and stay asleep, as you might expect.

A study was carried out to determine the biological effects of weighted blankets on the human body while sleeping. They did so by tracking cortisol levels as well as sleep, pain, and stress levels. What were the outcomes?

Weighted blankets lowered cortisol levels during overnight sleep, which helped to alleviate sleep problems, anxiety, and tension. When cortisol levels fall, our physical and mental well-being improves.

In addition to wrapping yourself up in a comfortable Better Sleep Weighted Blanket, it's a good idea to use supplementary stress-relieving activities like:

  • Having a well-balanced diet
  • Meditation
  • Exercise
  • Staying connected - the power of a good laugh with a loved one should not be underestimated.

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