Sleeping in a cozy, warm blanket feels like a giant hug. But did one know that a blanket’s weight goes a long way in determining how comfortable it is? A weighted, heavy blanket is often more comforting and beneficial to one’s health than a lighter one. These blankets follow a therapeutic technique known as deep pressure stimulation. They come in different materials, colors, shapes, and sizes and are primarily filled with plastic pellets to add to the weight.

Here are the direct and indirect health benefits of a weighted blanket:

1. Provides security and comfort
Weighted blankets work similarly to how a tight swaddle helps the newborn feel cozy and snug. Moreover, these blankets enable people to sleep faster by offering security.

2. Improves social interactions
Studies suggest that weighted blankets can help improve social interactions during the day, as users get a good night’s sleep the night before. Naturally, when a person fails to get good sleep, it impacts every minute element of their life, including performance at work or school and social interaction. But they are better equipped to manage the day when they sleep well.

3. Calms the nervous system
An excessively active nervous system causes rapid heart rate, hyperactivity, shortness of breath, and anxiety, which are not conducive to a good night’s sleep. Experts suggest using weight blankets to overcome this problem, as they distribute pressure and weight evenly across the body. It soothes the fight-or-flight response and triggers the parasympathetic nervous system into sleep preparation.

4. Increases melatonin synthesis
Melatonin is a hormone responsible for regulating the circadian rhythm and sleep cycle. Both melatonin and serotonin are interconnected. The latter is released from the weight of a thick blanket, which also triggers melatonin production. Hence, sleeping in a weighted blanket can help amplify the melatonin and serotonin levels.

5. Decreases nighttime movement
People who often toss and turn at night must consider investing in a weighted blanket, as it decreases movement. Cocooning from a weighted blanket lowers the nighttime movement, ensuring a more restful sleep.

6. Relieves RLS
It is a condition that triggers rapid and involuntary leg movements. It usually happens when an RLS-affected (Restless Leg Syndrome) person is trying to sleep. Studies suggest that applying pressure to the legs’ extremities for some time can minimize RLS symptoms.

7. Improves the well-being of people with ADHD and autism
Weighted blankets offer several mental and physical health benefits for people with autism and ADHD. Studies suggest that ball blankets aid ADHD children in falling asleep faster, ensuring uninterrupted sleep, and providing better overall sleep duration. The idea of weighted blankets is to help children with autism and ADHD overcome sleep problems by feeling protected and comfortable, as the weighted blanket satiates the touch desire.

8. Helps with menopause symptoms
Several women undergoing menopause experience sleep disruptions and also report depression and anxiety. A weighted blanket helps overcome these symptoms, making them sleep better.