What You Need to Consider Before Buying Blankets for Anxiety?

Are you wondering about weighted blankets for anxiety? If so, you are in the right place.

Anxiety is the most common mental health condition. Although the National Institute of Mental Health reports about 18% of adults to suffer from an anxiety disorder, it is widely believed that the actual percentage is closer to 30%. This is due to the fact that a large number of anxiety patients do not seek professional help or report their anxiety to a doctor. Successfully managing anxiety is an ongoing challenge.

What Is a Weighted Blanket?

These blankets are constructed of soft blanket material and quilted sections filled with plastic pellets and polyfill. These polyfills add evenly distributed weight to the user harnessing the therapeutic power of deep pressure touch (DPT). DPT works to soothe the nervous system by administering a firm touch equally across the body. 

When your nervous system is excited you are operating in your sympathetic nervous system. Further, this system is responsible for the "fight or flight" reaction to stress. DPT activates your body's parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for "rest and digest" following a stressful experience. Cortisol levels decrease and serotonin levels rise. The result is a more relaxed and calm state of mind.

Moreover, the benefits of DPT are behind the time-honored tradition of swaddling infants to soothe them to sleep and the wildly successful Thundershirt that eases dog anxiety by wrapping them uptight. A weighted blanket is a convenient, easy way to self administer DPT during times of heightened anxiety.

Important Things That You Need To Know Before Buying Blankets For Anxiety

The number of people who are interested in these magical weighted blankets increase significantly. As there are various blankets out there, it could be very confusing for you to choose the right one.

 

Size

Most of the people don’t pay attention to the size details when it comes to choosing blankets for anxiety. If it is an ordinary blanket, it is perfectly okay. But this concept doesn’t  imply a weighted blanket. Most of the time you might ignore the importance of blanket size. 

Well, the size of weighted blankets influences the effectiveness level of their performances and work on your bodies. Your blankets should cover all your body at least from neck to your feet. If it is too big, your blanket will hang over your bed which is bad because it can slide off the bed. 

Weight

As the name implies, a weighted blanket has to do with heaviness. The main concept of weighted blankets is to exert some amount of pressure on the body. Since weight matters most, so you should buy weighted blankets that have proportional weight with your body posture and age. If your blanket is too heavy then it won’t do any good for your body. 

Cover

A weighted blanket is indeed quite heavy. You will spend extra energy on washing it. Unlike other types of blankets, weighted blankets usually can be covered. To make your life stress-free and over-burdened with washing this heavy stuff, it is a great idea that you buy a weighted blanket with removable covers.

How Does A Weighted Blanket Compare To Other Treatment Options? 

Anxiety disorders are often treated with a combination of medication and cognitive behavior therapy. There are many drawbacks to prescription anti-anxiety medications that many people simply can't swallow. 

Sexual dysfunction, Headache, nausea, insomnia, and dizziness are documented side effects. For those who cannot tolerate these side effects or just want to seek natural treatments, a weighted blanket is an excellent choice. 

You and your health care expert will come up with a remedy plan that is best for you that may involve pharmaceuticals. A weighted blanket can complement that approach as well.

What Are The Benefits Of Weighted Blankets?

The feeling of a weighted blanket does more than just have a positive impression on a person’s condition, it can help reduce anxiety. The science behind a blanket for stress is similar to the emotional benefits of a hug; when people hug each other, their bodies release the hormones oxytocin, a hormone that serves to provide a feeling of rest. 

The same principles apply for infants that are swaddled tightly, they feel secure as well as safe. Putting pressure on the body in some areas triggers the release of serotonin and melatonin, which can help improve mood and help with falling asleep. 

Relief of common anxiety signs is ready and waiting to wrap itself around you. If you experience anxiety, give weighted blankets for anxiety a try and see how deep pressure touch can calm and soothe a stimulated mind.