Mattress stores in Orange County are seeing a huge surge of people looking to incorporate additional sleeping products, along with a quality mattress, in order to achieve restful sleep every night. One of the products that has recently gained popularity in the market is the weighted blanket. Some of its proven benefits are reducing stress and anxiety, managing OCD, relieving PTSD, alleviating pain from fibromyalgia, and easing depression symptoms.
Weighted blankets are typically made with polypropylene plastic beads, fluffy cotton, or another filling that adds weight to a blanket covering. They can vary from 4 pounds to 40 pounds, depending on the needs of the buyer and the proportional size of the sleeper. Most sleep experts at Orange County mattress stores recommend buying a weighted blanket that measures 10-20% of your overall body weight. However, weighted blankets are not recommended for infants or small children.
If you are interested in learning more about the benefits of weighted blankets, then you can read our comprehensive list below and find out how this new sleeping tool might help you achieve a good night’s sleep.
The Benefits of Weighted Blankets
- It can reduce your stress. Weighted blankets are known for their ability to calm and soothe. The design of this blanket mimics the feeling of a warm embrace, which can help relax brain activity and muscles. Many people utilize weighted blankets as a natural alternative to sleeping medications.
- It can help older people sleep. The older someone gets, the more likely they will suffer from insomnia and other health-related issues. Since weighted blankets are known for regulating sleep/wake cycles, they have a place in helping older individuals sleep through the night.
- It can reduce anxiety. A recent statistic has shown that nearly 40 million people in the United States live with some form of anxiety. Weighted blankets, also known as anxiety blankets, have been known to help alleviate symptoms. Anxiety can disrupt sleep cycles and extreme fatigue can worsen anxiety and increase the chances of a panic attack. In order to cut this negative cycle short, weighted blankets promote a calming sensation that relieves anxiety symptoms and allows the sleeper to get rest, thus improving their anxiety levels in the days to come. For those that suffer from travel-related anxiety, these blankets are especially useful.
- It can help someone manage their OCD. One in four adults has obsessive-compulsive disorder, which makes it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. Low serotonin levels are a contributing factor. Since weighted blankets are known to increase the release of this chemical, they can help adjust the chemistry of the brain.
- It can help Willis-Ekbom Disease, otherwise known as restless leg syndrome.
- It can enhance your sleep quality. Weighted blankets help you fall asleep and stay asleep, which promotes a longer, more restorative sleep.
- It can help with ADHD. Those who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD will often feel restless and unable to focus on things. Weighted blankets provide a kind of pressure therapy that calms the neurological activity in the brain and helps someone refocus their attention.
- It can lessen PTSD symptoms. Anyone who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder knows that insomnia and depression can closely follow this condition. Weighted blankets can help manage anxiety related to PTSD and lower blood pressure.
- It can help those on the autism spectrum. Sensory processing can be challenging for many people that have autism, which is why weighted blankets have been used as a kind of therapy.
- It can calm down pets. Weighted blankets are not only great for people, but they can also be used for your pet! For animals that fear loud noises or have any other anxious tendencies, weighted blankets might be a helpful resource.
- It can help chronic pain. For people with fibromyalgia or any other chronic pain condition, weighted blankets can be used to manage the pain without heavy medication use.
- It can help people manage their depression. The swaddling effect is just as beneficial for adults as it is for babies, which is why weighted blankets are a great way to achieve a sense of peace.