Benefits Of A Weighted Blanket

For many people, weighted blankets have become a routine part of stress relief and healthy sleep habits, and for good reason. Research suggests weighted blankets may benefit people with anxiety, autism, and insomnia, among other conditions.

Let’s explore how weighted blankets work as well as the benefits and risks of using these therapeutic blankets.

 REVIEW;

What are the benefits of using a weighted blanket?

Weighted blankets are therapeutic blankets that weigh between 5 to 30 pounds. The pressure from the extra weight mimics a therapeutic technique called deep pressure stimulation.

Deep pressure stimulation uses hands-on pressure to relax the nervous system. Doing so may help:

• relieve pain
• lessen anxiety
• improve mood

Deep pressure stimulation doesn’t have to be completely hands on. With weighted blankets, the same pressure comes from having the blanket wrapped around the body.

Deep pressure stimulation has shown to be an effective part of other treatments, including massage therapy and the use of support animals.

Who may benefit from a weighted blanket?

Researchers have studied weighted blankets’ effectiveness for various conditions. Although more research is needed, results have so far indicated the following benefits:

Benefits of Weighted Blankets For Those With Autism

One of the symptoms of autism, especially in children, is trouble sleeping. In a crossover study from 2014, researchers investigated the effectiveness of weighted blankets for sleep issues related to autism. The results found there was little improvement in sleep scores from the use of the weighted blanket.

However, both the children and their parents noted they liked the weighted blanket more, despite the lack of improvement. This is supported by a smaller study that found the positive benefits of deep pressure therapy in some people with autism. These benefits may extend to weighted blankets as well.

Here is one of my customer's experiences:

Resources: https://www.healthline.com/health/anxiety/do-weighted-blankets-work#risks