Do you ever just pick up a blanket and wrap it around yourself so that you can go to sleep? Most of us do this. That blanket is likely to be warm, soft, and snug. Imagine if it was also weighted. Before you jump to conclusions about how weights can possibly help make you feel comfortable, it is important to note that the weighted blankets from Layla are filled with small glass beads which are sewn in – not actual weights. All that you feel is a soft touch that is simply heavier than expected.
These blankets were first used by people with special needs as it helped them in a therapeutic way. However, over time, they were discovered to benefit more than just that community, which resulted in an increase in use by children and adults. It is proven that these blankets can not only improve your comfort but also your health. Here are 5 ways in which they can do this:
Improve Sleep
Many people suffer from insomnia or other sleep disorders which can keep them up at night. In fact, the American Sleep Association states that 50-70 million adults in the United States have some kind of sleep disorder. This not only means that you might not be able to fall asleep but that staying asleep throughout the night can also be a challenge. It is a health risk in itself, but weighted blankets might be able to help you.
Do you remember being tucked in as a kid? These blankets can provide similar feelings for adults and kids alike. The weight from your blanket can help you relax your body, calm your heart rate, regulate your breathing, thus helping you fall asleep. With the different weights, you can choose the one that will be most beneficial to you in your specific case. In addition to the benefits of weighted blankets, it’s important to consider your child’s evolving sleep routine. Discover valuable information about when to stop using a sleep sack in this insightful article by Nested Bean, ensuring a smooth transition as your child grows.
Help with Relaxation
From massages, it is known that applying deep pressure can release more serotonin, which leads to increased relaxation. While this weighted blanket can’t massage you, it does apply that pressure that you may need. These blankets can also help you avoid the need to take medication in order to help you relax. They are used for people of all ages and even for kids who may have trouble paying attention or keeping calm.
Decrease Anxiety
Feeling uneasy, nervous, a sense of worry – this is all normal and it is a sign of anxiety. Many people experience some variation of anxiety in their lives; however, for some, it is more than others. It can stress out your body, increase your heart rate, lead to uncontrollable breathing, and it can disrupt your life. Weighted blankets can sometimes help you level out the stress and anxiety that you are feeling so that you can relax. The weight in the blankets help put your body in “resting” mode which can reduce anxiety symptoms as well as regulate your heart rate and breathing so that you feel relaxed.
Alleviate and Prevent Stress
Stress comes from a lot of different things, and it all depends on the person. Oftentimes, people can get stressed out due to lack of sleep and relaxation, which can lead to anxiety. This can be maintained with one of these blankets. Taking it back to the deep pressure, weighted blankets can calm down your nervous system, leading to less stress.
Autism, ADHD, and Sensory Processing Disorders
Anyone who suffers from autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or other sensory processing disorders may experience elevated stress as well as anxiety levels. The deep pressure from the weighted blanket can resemble that feeling of being swaddled like a baby, which can ease the nerves of the user. The pressure can also promote a calming and more relaxed feeling which can increase focus in some people. Those people who are hypersensitive may respond better with it because they are able to control how much weight to put on and take off.
Weighted blankets have many therapeutic benefits that can help children as well as adults who suffer from sleep disorders, anxiety, stress, and other attention or sensitivity disorders. At Layla, you get a 120-day trial period to test out your blanket, so why not see if it will work for you? Shop one of our weighted blankets today!