One of the effective methods to reduce anxiety levels and have a better night's sleep is using weighted blankets. These blankets are designed to apply intense contact pressure as if being hugged or held. This can help ease the body, especially when it is so tense. For instance, in Canada, more people are using natural ways to relax and manage anxiety; thus, weighted blankets are increased, especially cooling ones.
When it comes to anxiety, which many people go through, identifying the proper ways of handling it is often a difficult task. Nevertheless, the weighted blanket is a comparatively new and simple invention. This therapeutic approach has emerged as an effective non-drug approach, a non-surgical method of dealing with anxiety issues and enhancing the general well-being of people in many Canadian provinces as well as other parts of the world.
1. Reduced Stress and Anxiety
Weighted blankets are believed to reduce stress and anxiety levels. Two neurotransmitters, serotonin and dopamine, are associated with body relaxation, and they may be produced slower when one feels the weight of the blanket on the body. This is going to be very useful to people with anxiety issues or people who can't seem to wind down before going to bed.
2. Deep Pressure Stimulation
The rationale behind heavy blankets is explained by deep pressure stimulation, which involves applying pressure to the human body through extra weight. These blankets are designed to have weights sewn into them, commonly in small glass beads or plastic spheres, which lightly press against the skin all over the body. The feel-good mood chemicals serotonin and dopamine are believed to be released due to this deep pressure input.
Weighted blankets are useful in so many ways to those with anxiety, but the most significant aspect is the security that comes with the warmth. Some are comforted by soft pressure, such as hugging or holding them during the day. Minimizing feelings of agitating, panicking, and excessive thinking, this sensation of being ‘anchored' can ease the mind and the body.
3. Improved Sleep Quality
Furthermore, studies have shown that WBs can improve sleep quality, which is one factor that affects anxiety. Such blankets produce a warm and soothing environment that assists individuals in falling asleep and getting sound sleep. Anxiety is known to hurt sleep patterns, and when one experiences anxiety for a long time, they are likely to have poor sleep, which will, in turn, affect their mood, thinking, and overall well-being.
Not only are they beneficial for medical usage, but they are also excellent cool comforters for night use. Contrary to the blankets produced from bamboo or cotton fabric by many Canadian manufacturers today, the fabric used in making the weighted blankets lets air in and does not trap moisture. This function will come in handy, especially if one has to deal with hot flashes or night sweats that only worsen anxiety symptoms.
So, it can be stated that using weighted blankets can be an excellent complement to therapies even though they do not act as a cure for anxiety disorders. They can be taken together with other treatments with scientific backing, such as CBT, mindfulness, or medicine if prescribed by a doctor. Besides, using weighted blankets and the efficacy of various methods for reducing anxiety will also be beneficial.
4. Proper Weight
While using a weighted blanket, the weight of the blanket applied may vary depending on the size and weight of the person applying it. Nonetheless, it is generally expected that the weight of the blanket would range from 5 to 10 percent of the person's gross body weight. Therefore, the choice of an appropriate option should be made in consultation with a doctor or an occupational therapist to identify the most suitable one for the patient.
To Sum Up
Based on the findings, it could be argued that weighted blankets effectively manage anxiety. These blankets can aid in reducing the symptoms and overall health of patients since they provide them with moderate and soothing pressure that boosts their ability to sleep. Weighted blankets are ideal for individuals who have to endure the impacts of anxiety, especially when considering the current focus on the non-drug and non-psychopharmacologic approaches to managing stress.