Here is a fact: Stressful lifestyle and sleep deprivation are the two most powerful enemies that can destroy a person’s health and well-being. – A number of scientific evidence have proven this fact to be true. Moreover, people today are aware of the accuracy of this fact more than ever.
Here is another fact: The number of people battling with the symptoms of stress and insomnia is growing daily. Moreover, many maladies and autoimmune diseases are in fact caused by the same factors.
Both of the facts being true at the same time may seem a little bit ironic, yet is true. Therefore, people are constantly searching for a solution that will improve their life quality and ease their troubles..
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One very good assistant that offers people great support in troubled times is the weighted blanket.
The Concept of the Weighted Blanket
A weighted blanket is a therapeutic tool developed in the early 20th century. It was used in acute psychiatry to calm down disturbed patients, mostly children with severe illnesses.
It is a regular looking blanket that is designed to weight 8-10% of a person’s body. Science and medicine have proven facts on the efficiency of the weight of the blanket in fighting against disorders and bad psychological states.
Entering in the mainstream use, this product has helped many to fight off their problems and improve their overall health.
Sophisticated weighted blankets found on the market these days are with modern designs. They can be manufactured with different fabrics, sizes and weights. The additional weight is provided by microbeads made from glass or plastic evenly spread on the surface. 20 or 15 lb weighted blankets are the most commonly used options for adults.
A Powerful Tool Against Stress
When a person’s body is under stress its nervous system is perceiving the state as being in a dangerous situation. Therefore, the secretion of the stress hormone cortisol and adrenalin is increased. Prolonged stress means constant high levels of these hormones. This puts the body in the “alert” state and the restlessness persists. Moreover, the body loses its balance and is constantly stuck under the control of the sympathetic nervous system.
The body can’t find its balance back when high levels of stress hormones are released in situations of a prolonged state of stress. This results in disrupted sleep, restlessness and affects overall health and mental capacity.
The weight of the weighted blanket triggers positive changes inside the body. The stimulation of the nerve endings underneath the skin surface results in consecutive processes that activate the parasympathetic nervous system. The rest and digest state of the organism. It’s like an instant switch that shuts down the sympathetic system.
The weighted blanket performs the so-called deep pressure touch stimulation. This stimulation triggers powerful chemical reactions that lead the body to a relaxed state and promote calmness and satisfaction. No worrisome thought can be more powerful than the effect of the deep pressure touch stimulation.
Once the parasympathetic system is on, the happiness hormones are released: serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin and melatonin. The body relaxes and enters the state of calm and content. As the blanket slowly brings your body’s balance back you will smoothly enter a calming, undisrupted sleep.
2. Helps with Sleeping Problems
As mentioned before the deep pressure touch stimulation activates the parasympathetic system. It is the main prerequisite for the body to be able to fall asleep. In this state, the body releases the serotonin and melatonin hormones.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that regulates the sleep-wake cycle. It’s the precursor of melatonin, the hormone that puts the body to sleep. Therefore, the melatonin levels in the body also increase, promoting a peaceful and relaxed night sleep.
All these chemical processes that occur in the body make the weighted blanket a great tool for:
1. Fighting Insomnia
2. Re-establishing a healthy sleep-wake cycle
3. Promotes undisrupted and longer night sleep
3. Reduces Anxiety and Fights Depression
Anxiety and depression are directly linked to low levels of the serotonin and dopamine in the brain.
Many psychological states and disorders are linked to the absence of these “happiness” hormones in the brain. However, anxiety and depression are the most common these days.
The use of the weighted blanket is proven to stimulate the secretion of these hormones. Therefore, the use of the weighted blanket helps in fighting away the symptoms of depression and anxiety.
The high levels of serotonin and dopamine that occur after a longer period of using the weighted blanket, result in feelings of satisfaction, happiness, serenity, relaxation and calmness.
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Conclusion
All the 3 common problems mentioned above are inevitably linked to one another. Insomnia may be a result of stress, the anxiety of insomnia and insomnia may be a result of depression or vice versa. It’s common to suffer from all 4 conditions. The good thing is, you can find your comfort and relief in your weighted blanket.