The thought of having a therapy blanket probably conjures images of adults walking around with ‘blankies.’ The truth couldn’t be farther from the truth.
While toddlers cling to blankies for the same reasons they cling to certain stuffed animals or toys, adult therapy blankets are different. These therapy blankets are weighted blankets that are meant to help with anxiety, depression, and insomnia.
But how exactly can a weighted therapy blanket help with any of those things? Keep reading to find out about 6 benefits of weighted therapy blankets.
1. Reduces Stress
Stress is a part of everyday life. It’s almost impossible to not feel some level of stress nearly every day. It’s when your stress levels get too high that it has become a problem.
There are many ways to help reduce stress involving lifestyle and behavioral changes. However, sometimes a long-term therapy treatment plan is a little over the top.
Studies have shown that deep touch pressure stimulation therapy helps to significantly reduce stress. Weighted blankets provide the same feeling and sensation helping to fight against stress while you sleep.
Another way to view it is in those moments when you just need a hug, the weighted blanket mimics the feeling of a hug providing the same type of comfort.
2. Eases Restless Leg Syndrome
Restless leg syndrome often leaves your legs feeling tingly and antsy. Riding in airplanes and trains are often nightmares because of this, and sleeping is often interrupted leaving the person tired and fatigued the next day.
Often people who suffer from restless leg syndrome claim if they had a way to weight down their legs, they would be able to sleep through the night. Prior to the weighted blanket, weighted socks were the only option.
These socks, however, were often more uncomfortable than the restless legs syndrome itself. The weighted therapy blanket, however, can provide the right amount of weight to allow you to sleep through the night.
3. Eases Pain
Individuals who suffer from chronic pain often find it difficult to find any type of relief. While some find relief with over the counter, others are forced to rely on prescription medication. However, often patients would prefer a non-medication option.
Pills, over the counter or otherwise, can have negative effects like dependency, abuse, among other behavioral and physical side effects. Patients have reported that sleeping with a weighted blanket eases their pain enough that they are able to sleep through the night.
4. Helps the Elderly
Part of getting old is battling insomnia. This is because our sleep-wake cycles begin to change often resulting in a lack of sleep. This lack of sleep can quickly turn into insomnia.
A weighted therapy blanket can fight off stress, ease pain, and provide a calming feeling of comfort and love helping elderly patients to sleep through the night.
5. Helps with ADHD and Autism
Children and adults alike suffer from ADHD and autism and often find other aspects of their lives are impacted as well. Sleeping through the night can often be difficult for patients with ADHD or Autism.
The deep touch sensory therapy has been proven to provide a calming effect on people and allows patients with ADHD to focus. It also helps with processing disabilities. The weighted therapy blanket provides the same sensory effects as the deep touch therapy.
6. A Hug on Demand
Probably the biggest and best benefit of having a weighted therapy blanket is having a hug on demand.
The key to reducing stress, anxiety, depression, and even pain is the feeling of comfort and warmth the blanket provides. Patients have often equated the feeling of a weighted therapy blanket as that of a hug.
Which is good news for those moments when for no other reason than to want one, you want, or need, a hug. The weighted therapy blanket can simulate a hug whenever you need it.
Weighted Therapy Blankets
Weighted therapy blankets have been proven to provide mild relief for pain, stress, anxiety and depression. It is a much preferred by patients to medications.
However, you don’t need to have serious problems to benefit from a weighted therapy blanket. It has been known to improve sleep, your mood, and even alleviate restless leg syndrome.
If you find yourself having difficulty sleeping, need help reducing your stress or anxiety, or just want a hug whenever you like, try out a weighted therapy blanket today.
