8 Benefits of a Weighted Blanket
Weighted blankets have revolutionized the way we think about sleep and relaxation. These heavier-than-average blankets are not just ordinary bedding items. They are filled with materials that add significant weight, offering a distinctive experience that differs from regular blankets.
Let’s look at weighted blankets, exploring their design, various fillings, and the benefits they offer. Join us as we uncover why these blankets have become a popular choice for enhancing comfort and tranquility in the comfort of your home.
What Is a Weighted Blanket?
A weighted blanket is, in many ways, exactly what it sounds like — but in others, it's a specialized tool designed for comfort and relaxation. These blankets are filled with various materials that add weight while providing deep touch pressure to the body.
Common fillings include fine glass beads or hypoallergenic plastic pellets, known for their ability to distribute weight evenly. This design is meticulously crafted to ensure the weight is evenly spread across the blanket, creating a uniform and comforting sensation.
Some blankets use natural grains like rice or millet, which offer a more organic feel. These grains, however, might not be as durable as synthetic fillers and can degrade over time, especially if the blanket is washed frequently.
Another option is steel shot beads, which are smaller and denser than plastic pellets, thus requiring fewer beads to achieve the desired weight. This can result in a thinner blanket that still provides significant weight.
Sand is another filling material sometimes used, known for its smooth and fluid-like quality. However, it's important to note that sand can retain moisture and might not be the best choice for those living in humid climates.
Micro-glass beads are a more recent development in weighted blanket fillings, offering a finer and denser alternative to larger glass beads. These micro-glass beads are typically smaller and provide a smoother texture, allowing for a more contoured fit to the body.
The choice of filling in a weighted blanket can greatly affect its texture, weight distribution, and overall feel. It's essential for users to consider their individual preferences and sensitivities when selecting a weighted blanket. The weight of the blanket itself is typically scaled to a percentage of the user’s body weight, ensuring it provides the right amount of pressure for personal comfort and effectiveness.
But let’s backtrack. If you’re wondering how you can benefit from a weighted blanket, don’t worry. We’re here to lay it out for you, and by the time you’re finished reading, we’re sure you’ll come to the conclusion that we have. Next to your Miracle Made® Comforter, a weighted blanket is the next best thing when it comes to topping your bed.
1. Promotes Relaxation and Comfort
The primary benefit of weighted blankets is their ability to provide gentle, consistent pressure across the body, which can aid in reducing cortisol levels — the primary stress hormone — and increasing serotonin, contributing to a calming effect.
This can be particularly beneficial for individuals with symptoms of anxiety, helping them achieve a better night’s sleep. The consistent pressure is akin to swaddling, offering a secure, cozy feeling that promotes relaxation.
This gentle pressure can also be comforting for individuals dealing with chronic pain or certain medical conditions, providing a sense of relief and comfort.
2. May Enhance Sleep Experience
For those grappling with sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, or general sleep problems, a weighted blanket might provide significant relief. Its gentle pressure can help improve sleep quality, leading to better sleep.
Additionally, melatonin — the sleep hormone — can be enhanced, fostering a good night’s sleep. The deep pressure stimulation provided by the blanket can mimic a therapeutic technique, potentially aiding in reducing symptoms associated with various sleep disorders.
3. Offers a Cozy, Swaddling Feeling
The swaddling effect of weighted blankets, achieved through deep pressure stimulation, can be particularly comforting. This sensation can mimic the feeling of being hugged, fostering a sense of security and aiding in relaxation, especially in individuals who experience chronic pain or have medical conditions that affect sleep.
The heavy blanket provides a unique sensory experience that can benefit those on the autism spectrum or with sensory processing disorders, offering a comforting and secure environment.
4. Could Help With Focus and Attention
Weighted blankets have shown some potential benefits in improving focus and attention, particularly in individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
The deep pressure provided by the blanket can help soothe the nervous system, facilitating a more focused and calm state. This can be particularly beneficial in creating an environment conducive to concentration and mental clarity, potentially aiding those with ADHD or similar conditions.
5. Associated With a Sense of Security
The comforting weight of these blankets can offer a profound sense of security, particularly beneficial for individuals with anxiety disorders or autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The pressure therapy provided by the blanket can help in managing sensory processing disorder, often associated with autism, and in reducing symptoms of anxiety.
This sense of security can be a crucial factor in improving the overall quality of rest and relaxation for those with health conditions that affect their sleep or mental state.
6. Potential for Improved Overall Comfort
For many, the heavy blanket offers an unparalleled sense of comfort. Its ability to regulate body functions such as heart rate and blood pressure through the stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system can contribute to overall well-being, making it an ideal choice for sleepers seeking a comforting and healthful sleep experience.
The blanket's weight can also provide relief for those with restless leg syndrome, offering a gentle, steadying pressure that soothes the legs during rest.
7. May Offer a Unique Sensory Experience
Due to its deep touch pressure, the sensory experience provided by a weighted blanket can be particularly soothing for those with sensory processing disorders.
The serotonin and dopamine levels can be positively influenced, enhancing mental health and emotional well-being and providing a unique sensory experience. This can be especially beneficial for autistic individuals, offering a form of pressure therapy that soothes and calms.
8. Aesthetically Pleasing and Versatile
Apart from their therapeutic benefits, weighted blankets are also aesthetically pleasing and versatile. Choosing a weighted blanket that’s the right proportion to your bed's size can make the perfect topper for your Miracle Made® Sheet Set.
Available in various styles, including the popular gravity blankets and duvet-like designs, they can complement any home décor. Being washable, they are easy to maintain, making them a practical addition to any household. Their versatility extends to various medical conditions and preferences, providing benefits to a broad spectrum of users.
The Final Weigh-In
Weighted blankets offer a wide range of benefits, from improving sleep quality and aiding mental health to providing deep pressure stimulation and enhancing overall well-being. When paired with your cutting-edge, bacterial-resistant Miracle Made® bedding, weighted blankets can be the missing link that transforms your bed into your favorite place to be.
Not to mention, these blankets represent an innovative approach to addressing sleep problems and improving the quality of life, making them a valuable addition to any home!
Sources:
Four Ways Hugs Are Good for Your Health | Greater Good Magazine
