Weighted Therapeutic Blankets

Depression, anxiety, and insomnia often occur together at night, as our minds keep worrying, and we keep tossing and turning.

A growing number of people are trying this new treatment with success and a night of good night sleep.

These unique blankets have small plastic balls or pellets to increase their weight on the wearer, from five pounds up to about thirty pounds.

A study of 32 adult volunteers, 63 percent reported lower anxiety after lying under a 30-pound blanket for 5 minutes.

Weighted therapy blankets also help moderate depression, autism, and other behavioral problems.

Weighted blankets help add a feeling of safety and security. Just like when you were swaddled up like a newborn baby, you felt safe and secure.

Weighted therapeutic blankets are filled with hypoallergenic polypropylene pellets or tiny individual plastic balls.

The goal generally is to weigh approximately ten percent more of the user’s body weight. 

Weighted blankets tend to be smaller than a typical blanket as they are designed to cover your body and not fall off the bed because of its weight.

Weighted therapeutic blankets are typically safe to use and will help you achieve a relaxed state.

This will allow you to fall into a more deep sleep.

Weighted blankets simulate (DPT) or “deep pressure touch,” which is a therapy that uses firm hands-on pressure to reduce stress, high levels of anxiety, and decrease depression.

As your weighted blanket helps soothe and calm your nerves, cortisol levels, which are a stress hormone drop, allowing you to relax fully.

Elevated cortisol levels from constant stress and anxiety have multiple complications on your health, which are:

A study looking at DTP found through using a weighted vest, even for a short period, reduced sympathetic arousal and non-stimulus driven electrical occurrences.

Basically, this means their body calmed down because of the weighted blanket.

With your blanket, you’ll be combating and easing your stress and anxiety, and your body will release dopamine and serotonin, which are feel-good hormones.

Your weight should help you determine the weight of the blanket.

Some manufacturers recommend adults buy a blanket 5 to 10 percent of their body weight.

So, for example, if you weigh 120 pounds, a 12-pound weighted blanket should be ideal. 

If you are 150 pounds a 15-pound blanket and a 20 pound one for someone who weighs 200 pounds.

If you are taller, they do make longer ones. A typical blanket is 4 feet wide by 6 feet long.

It is also a good idea to choose a blanket made from natural fiber such as 100 percent cotton, which is breathable. 

Polyester and synthetic fabrics tend to hold more heat in and make you hotter.

Weighted therapy blankets are not for everyone. Because they are filled blankets, they tend to hold on to body heat.

 If you have the following health conditions, I recommend talking to your doctor before purchasing and using one.

You can find weighted blankets online or in stores. Some options include: