How do weighted blankets work?
A weighted blanket is exactly that – a blanket filled with micro hypoallergenic beads. The goal is to make the blanket a little heavier so it applies a firm consistent pressure. A weighted blanket usually weighs 6 - 9kgs for adults and 1.5 – 4kg for childrens weighted blankets. Resting under a weighted blanket helps improve sleep, ease anxiety, and relieve stress. But how exactly does a weighted blanket help you sleep better and feel calmer? It all boils down to the science of deep touch pressure or DTP and hormone levels.
Simple Science & Serotonin
Each weighted blanket provides deep pressure therapy to the body and starts a series of important chemical reactions. Firstly, the happy hormone called serotonin, which provides a calming effect as well as regulates our mood, is released from the brain.
Melatonin
Serotonin aids the production of melatonin which the sleep-promoting hormone responsible for your circadian rhythm or body clock. During the day when we need to be awake our levels of melatonin are appropriately low, however at night the darkness prompts our pituitary gland in the brain to produce more melatonin and thus helps us feel sleepy. However, a lot of us struggle to feel sleepy at bedtime and lower levels of melatonin may be the cause. Using a weighted blanket increases these important hormone levels and as a result can aid relaxation and sleep.
What About Cortisol?
Cortisol is the hormone that makes us feel stressed or anxious and the right balance is pretty tricky to find. Ideally we would like high levels of cortisol when we wake in the morning and gradually during the day the levels would wind down as we do reaching a low point at bedtime. When cortisol levels remains too high for too long you are at increased risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, obesity and unsurprisingly difficulties sleeping. Using a weighted blanket can curb high cortisol levels and help you rest.
Those with autism, ADHD and anxiety experience difficulty sleeping due to a lack of of this hormone. That’s why for years, doctors and occupational therapists have been using weighted blankets to help their patients experience a full, deep sleep. Our special blankets, filled with micro hypoallergenic beads, are designed to distribute the feeling of a deep-pressure touch evenly across the body, which creates a soothing effect for your child.
There is growing evidence which promotes the use of weighted blankets in children and adults. A series of clinical studies into weighted blankets have been carried out in the UK and US. These studies have concluded that weighted blankets are safe for children as well as being favoured by both children and adults.
Hi Sue,
Thank you for considering our weighted blankets for your 3-year-old. I appreciate your questions, and I’m here to provide you with the information you need.
Regarding your concerns about your child kicking off the blanket, our weighted blankets are designed to provide gentle, even pressure, which can be comforting and calming for children during sleep. While some children do shift during the night, many parents find that the weight of the blanket actually helps their child stay covered and sleep more soundly. However, please keep in mind that every child is unique, and it may take some time for your little one to adjust to a weighted blanket. It’s essential to monitor your child’s comfort.
As for your concerns about the glass beads, rest assured that we use high-quality, non-toxic, and durable materials in our blankets. Our beads are securely encased within the blanket’s layers, so there’s no risk of them breaking or causing harm. Our priority is to create products that are safe for children and adults alike.
In terms of a discount code for new customers, we periodically run promotions and discounts. To check for any ongoing offers, please visit our website or sign up for our newsletter to receive updates on special deals and promotions. We are currently running a huge site wide discount.
Our blankets are carefully crafted to encourage deeper and more peaceful sleep, promoting relaxation and a sense of security for both children and adults. We hope our weighted blanket will provide your child with a soothing and comforting sleep experience.
If you have any further questions or need additional information, feel free to reach out. We’re here to assist you with any concerns you may have.