Sensory weighted blankets can be one of the best sleep aid alternatives to tablets. A weighted blanket is heavier than a regular comforter. When you sleep beneath the blanket, the added weight exerts pressure on touch receptors all over the body, stimulating them. A weighted blanket, to say it in a different way supports current proprioceptive feedback to the body and brain.

A sensory blanket is usually described as that of an autism blanket or a heavy blanket, which is one of the best sleep aid alternatives to tablets, is primarily made out of materials that provide “deep pressure stimulation” to who is using it. These are frequently filled with glass beads, cotton, or other materials to provide a feeling of protection and relaxation by applying gentle pressure on the body.

Weighted blankets are frequently utilised by Occupational Therapists (OTs) to help people affected by autism to relax or to comfort restless or agitated persons. These blankets are also used to help persons with Asperger’s syndrome condition deal with sleep and anxiety problems.

Side effects and issues you can have with sleeping tablets / pills

Tablets for falling asleep, like all medications, have side effects. However, you won’t know whether you’ll experience side effects from a specific sleeping pill unless you try it.

Sleeping pills can interfere with normal breathing and can be dangerous in people who have certain chronic lung conditions such as asthma, emphysema, or other types of respiratory failure.

The following are among the most common side effects of prescription sleeping pills including Ambien, Halcion, Lunesta, Rozerem, and Sonata:

Quivering or burning sensations in the hands, arms, feet, or legs
Appetite fluctuations
Nausea
Cholera
Issues of balance
Lightheadedness
sleepiness during the day

It’s critical to be aware of potential sleeping tablet side effects so you can stop taking the medication and contact your doctor immediately and avoid more serious health concerns. Sleep disturbances are one of the less safe health consequences of several sleeping medicines. Sleep problems are an example of parasomnia, that are either movement, behaviours, and activities over which you have no control. You are asleep and unaware of what is going on during parasomnia. Weighted blankets evoke the comforting sensation of an awakening under such a heavy cover on a cold winter morning. Adding pressure on your skin activates neurotransmitters like serotonin and melatonin, which soothe your brain and makes you relax.

Science’s point of view

Most publications mention the findings of a 1999 study on the effects of deep pressure stimulation with Temple Grandin’s “hug machine” (Temple Grandin is an autistic adult who is a vocal proponent of the autism community).

Deep pressure stimulation has been proven to be beneficial to people with autism in both the 1999 trial and more subsequent studies. Weighted blankets draw analogies between the pressure applied by the “hug machine” in the study and the notion that more weight must imply more compression. 67 children with autism, ranging in age from 5 to 16, were included in the largest autism weighted blanket specific study. Entirely subjective, however, the weighted blanket was preferred by both the participants and their parents over a regular blanket.

sensory weighted blankets And The Pandemic

The COVID-19 epidemic has been characterized by a wide spectrum of emotional experiences, including extreme insecurity and despair for many people. Some people were also found to be suffering from post-lockdown burnout. It appears that some people have tried and locate consolation in sensory blankets, as sales have soared throughout the pandemic.

Manufacturers frequently promote the blankets as a non-pharmaceutical treatment for anxiety, insomnia, stress, restlessness, and other problems.

pandemic
Sensory weighted blankets: best sleep aid alternative to tablets

What are the benefits of using a Sensory weighted blanket?

The human body is a delicate instrument that responds to pressure and touch. Deep pressure stimulation is used to ease the body in the same manner that it can relax a baby when it is lifted up or hugged.

Your adrenal glands secrete oxytocin when you use a sensory weighted blanket or vest, in the same manner, it does when you are hugged or cuddled like a newborn. While some people enjoy being hugged, others, such as those with autism or sensory processing disorders, may not, therefore this type of blanket is very suitable for them.

Some of the Benefits of a Weighted Blanket

Whenever you fall off to sleep, you’ll feel like if you’re being embraced.
Limit the amount of time you spend scrambling at sleep.
Assist you in feeling anchored and calm, so you can sleep through the night.
Assist you in waking up well rested and revitalised.

Learn more about the 21 benefits of the weighted blanket here.

What are all the advantages of a weighted blanket for autistic children and adults?

We’ve got experienced the down effects of sleep deprivation. We become extremely emotional and find it difficult to focus. This seems to be significantly evident in children with autism or other special challenges.

Sensory difficulties, such as sensory processing conditions, plague numerous children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (SPD). This can manifest as either a problem digesting sensory input from the five human senses as well as internal feelings. This might lead to anxiety and sleep disturbances.

Caregivers may be unsure what to do if their youngster becomes trapped in a cycle of anxiety leading to sleep disruption and vice versa. For many families, integrative solutions like a sensory weighted blanket are preferable to pharmaceuticals.

Weighted blankets have been shown to be effective for

Reduction of anxiety
Improved sleep quality
Meltdowns and sensory overload are de-escalated, and serotonin, which would be needed to make melatonin, is released.
The hormone oxytocin is released, which provides a feeling of safety and warmth.
Calms the central nervous system by lowering stress hormones in the body.
Children who despise being touched

A sensory weighted blanket can aid healthy sleep without medication. The sensory blanket, also described as a weighted blanket, resembles any other blanket. Its weight and dimensions are ideally proportioned to the user’s height and weight.

How does it work?

Relaxation and tranquillity are aided by a balanced load on the body, or more accurately, uniform pressure on the deep sections of the body (muscles, joints, and tendons).

Interestingly, the weight of the sensory blankets encourages the creation of more serotonin, a neurotransmitter that is depleted in patients suffering from depression, neurosis, autism, and other related conditions. Here’s a longer look at how they work.

Weighted Anxiety Blanket

Weighted anxiety blankets can help both children and adults relax. Anxiety reveals itself in phobias, social anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorders, to name a few. Weighted blankets can aid in the relaxation of worried persons, permitting them to sleep more effectively.

Weighted Blanket for Depressive episodes

Depression comes in a variety of forms and reasons. Your doctor can advise you on whether the deep touch pressure produced by weighted blankets would help you feel better. Deep pressure causes the neurotransmitters dopamine as well as serotonin to be released, which can help with depression and unhappiness.

PTSD and Sensory Blankets

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a type of anxiety illness that arises after an extremely traumatic event. One of the most difficult tasks for persons with PTSD may be getting a full night’s sleep. Patients with PTSD may also experience hallucinations, anxiety attacks, flashbacks, or sleep disturbances. Deep pressure therapy (weighted blankets) treatment of PTSD must have garnered little research, according to Harvard University Health. Sensory blankets, on the other hand, could provide some relief to those dealing with PTSD symptoms.

ADD/ADHD Weighted Blankets

People with the condition may improve from the use of weighted blankets. ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is a common problem that makes it difficult to concentrate, stay still, manage emotions, and think about the consequences of actions before taking them.

Many youngsters with ADHD struggle to relax and self-regulate. A weighted blanket may very well be beneficial to some of those people. Consult your child’s paediatrician or occupational therapist to learn more about the advantages of weighted blankets for their child’s specific requirements.

Stress and Sleep Deprivation

According to a study, whenever tension and anxiety are mixed with a lack of sleep and daily stress in career and life, stress and anxiety are increased. There are a few healthy solutions that can help, and when you combine them with a sensory weighted blanket, your stress will dissipate. Here are a few healthy practices to try with your sensory blanket:

Create a tranquil space in your home where you can relax and enjoy the peace and quiet.
Get a time to disconnect from all electronics.
Pick a nice book to read.
Curl up on the couch with a good book and some music.
Put on some relaxing background music.

Therapists have also noticed that persons sleeping under a weighted blanket have considerably less movement during the night. As a result, it’s much easier to keep trembling hands or other portions of the body under control.

Throughout sleep, the weighted blanket additionally creates a safe environment and decreases anxiety. Restless Legs Syndrome, Parkinson’s disease, anxiety disorders, narcolepsy, depression, and a variety of other illnesses may benefit from it.

It’s the ideal nighttime partner to help you attain the deep sleep you crave if anxiety, insomnia, or stress are interfering with your sleep. Unless you’re not aware of how to use a weighted blanket, the guidelines below will help you get the most out of it.

Determine your sleep goals, then follow the following general guidelines for incorporating a sensory weighted blanket into your evening routine.

Try it out for comfort: while there is no correct or incorrect time to use your weighted blanket, many people prefer to do it at night.
Whether you want to replace your present comforter or use both, here are some ideas: You can use a weighted blanket instead of a comforter or duvet, or you can use both. If you choose to utilise both, the weighted blanket can go on top or underneath you’re bedding. It all boils down to your perspective!
Wrap your entire body: from your shoulders to the feet, embrace your entire body for complete relaxation. For the first several days, you could use only half of the blanket (over your legs) to allow your body to acclimate. Lying on your back can assist spread the weight more evenly, but it’s not necessary.
Throughout time, use the blanket constantly: making it a common part of your regimen to reap the long-term benefits.
Track changes in your sleep patterns: as your body and mind adjust with using the blanket, stay on top of your energy levels and sleep cycles.

How Long Should a Weighted Blanket Be Used?

Because the light pressure will make you feel instantly more relaxed, there is no set time limit for using a weighted blanket. It is dependent on how frequently you utilise it for long-term advantages. Some people may need to consume it on a regular basis throughout time creating healthy sleeping habits. Because we’re all wired differently, perseverance is essential, just as it is with any other habit.

Do Side Sleepers Benefit from Weighted Blankets?

No matter how you sleep, sleeping with a weighted blanket can be beneficial. If you sleep on your side, choose a lighter mattress because your weight will not be adequately redistributed if you sleep on your back.

Conclusion:

If you enjoy snuggling up with a warm blanket, the advantages of something like a weighted blanket are considerable. Deep touch pressure stimulation (DPS) is being used by a weighted blanket to improve your health and stimulate your mind to relax. Moderate pressure has been shown to relax the respiratory system, promote the synthesis of natural neurotransmitters such as serotonin, and alleviate stress.

Weighted blankets are indeed a preferred alternative of tablets  therapy solution for persons suffering from anxiety, insomnia, restless leg syndrome, ADHD, or autism because of their numerous benefits.

Consider also this e-book from our certified transformational life coach Lisa to help you fall asleep for a better night’s sleep.