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If you’re the kind of successful high-performer who’s always in the know, you’ve probably become a trusted go-to source in your professional and social circles. So guess who they’ll all be coming to when they want to get the inside word on the weighted blanket benefits…?
As you’re probably already aware, this exciting new addition to the world of bedding and home furnishings has made a real splash over the last few years. And as usual, Google has a good handle on which way the trend is going: in the second half of 2018 alone, the number of worldwide searches for ‘weighted blankets’ has positively skyrocketed!
If you think these devices are just the latest celebrity-driven fad, think again: high-profile research in the Journal of Sleep Medicine and Disorders, Journal of Occupational Therapy in Mental Health, and a study by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (among others) bears out the advantages and benefits that users already know so well. So if you or a loved one are interested in taking a weighted blanket out for a test-run, follow our simple guidelines to make sure you get just the right type for your needs.
What is a weighted blanket?
Put simply, a weighted blanket is an advanced smart-sleep device that offers a wide range of physiological and psychological benefits to the user — including reduced insomnia, less anxiety and improved wellbeing. Slumber under a quality weighted blanket and you can expect to fall asleep quicker, enjoy deeper sleep, and feel refreshed and revitalized upon waking. Research published in the Journal of Occupational Therapy in Mental Health found that 63% of weighted blanket users reported reduced anxiety.
A typical weighted blanket won’t look much different to the kind of duvet you’ve been sleeping under for most of your life. Here’s the innovation: the fabric incorporates a mosaic of micro-squares that are filled by hundreds of thousands of fine-grained plastic or glass beads. This filling provides the heft of the blanket and creates the calming snugness that’s so distinctive of weighted blankets.
From small children to elderly
Search online and you’ll find lots of companies around the world supplying weighted blankets with a variety of features and configurations. You’ll quickly discover that weight is one of the most important factors when choosing your blanket — and to understand why, you’ll need to know how weighted blankets work. For that, we’ll spend a little while wondering how babies sleep so soundly.
Ever been around a newborn when she’s being swaddled by her caregiver? If so, you’ve probably seen the baby being tightly wrapped in a blanket from head to toe. And you’ve probably also noticed the look of absolute contentment on her face before she falls into a deep, blissful sleep. The secret is in the cozy embrace of the blanket — the tight clutch of the swaddle simulates the warmth and comfort of the womb.
How does a weighted blanket work?
If you’ve been following along, you may already have joined the dots. Weighted blankets work by recreating the snug embrace of a loving hug and stimulate all the feel-good hormones that result from this kind of nurturing physical contact. So you’re getting two benefits in one from these amazing products: you’ll enjoy the physical comfort that comes from a heavier covering, and the physiological advantages that come from positive brain activity.
You’ll be unaware that it’s happening, but when you’re under the cozy comfort of a high-quality weighted blanket your brain will be firing off lots of soothing neurotransmitters like serotonin and oxytocin. These devices will also lower circulating levels of cortisol, a hormone that is associated with stress. Put this together and soon your stresses and anxieties will melt away as you’re lulled to a deep, contented sleep.
So why do you need a weighted blanket in your life...?
There are so many advantages to sleeping under a weighted blanket, but if you’ve gone so long without one you might still be wondering if they’re for you. So here’s the bottom line:
You owe it to yourself to give weighted blankets a fair try if any of the following are true for you:
- You suffer from insomnia or even if you just have trouble falling asleep now and again.
- You want to find a proven, inexpensive way of helping you with stress or anxiety — but don’t want to risk the side effects and possibility of addiction of prescribed medications.
- You’re a driven high-performer and you’re looking to raise your game by ensuring that you get a good night’s sleep, night after night after night.
- You love to Netflix-and-chill on your couch (or read or relax or snuggle or whatever) and are looking for the next level in comfort and coziness.
The gentler prescription for better sleep
Weighted blankets have a long-established, well-documented track record as a treatment for anxiety and other mood disorders, but this doesn’t mean that their use is restricted to medical care. Indeed, the last few years have seen these products become very much part of the mainstream. Happy users of all ages and in all walks of life have discovered the astonishing benefit of adding these remarkable devices to their daily routine. Academic research suggests that up to 78% of weighted blanket users prefer these devices to other interventions for anxiety.
Let’s face it: who doesn’t want to sleep better, enjoy peak mental performance at work and play, and suffer less from stress and anxiety? And who wouldn’t want to gain all these benefits from a proven and cost-effective device that’s suitable for all ages and for people from every possible background — and is completely free of any unwanted side effects! Whether you’re a high-performing executive or just someone who wants to get the most out of life, adding a weighted blanket to your lifestyle is a no-brainer.
Weighted blankets — the solution you never thought of
For many people living in these high-pressure, high-octane times, it can feel like they’re not getting the results they’d expect from an otherwise healthy lifestyle: they’re eating well, exercising, and doing their best to maintain good mental health, but it always feels like something’s missing. If you feel like you’ve done everything you can to give yourself the energy and zest for life you want but you’re still not getting results, maybe quality sleep is the missing part of the puzzle.
Read on to discover how a cooling weighted blanket from Aricove can quickly become an essential element in your healthy lifestyle: Add Quality Sleep to Your Exercise Routine and Diet.
Want to know more? Here’s how to choose the perfect weight for your needs: Weight Matters or How Heavy Should A Weighted Blanket Be.