Weighted Blanket for Anxiety
A weighted blanket for anxiety is a relatively new natural method to reduce feelings of worry or fear. Initially, weighted blankets were used for people with special needs such as autism. Occupational therapists would use them to help create feelings of calm and relaxation. Now the use of weighted blankets has started to increase as more and more people become aware of their anxiety reduction capabilities.
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Why are Weighted Blankets Good for Anxiety?
A weighted blanket for anxiety works on the basis that the pressure from the touch of the blanket increases feelings of safety, relaxation and comfort. The blanket is usually filled with a material such as plastic pellets or glass beads to increase the weight. The pressure from the blanket on the user is supposed to reduce the amount of cortisol (stress hormone) that is produced instilling feelings of peace and calm.
Weighted Blanket Weight Chart
Typically a weighted blanket should weigh approximately 10% of your body weight. This weight chart should help adults decide on how heavy a blanket they should use.
| Body Weight | Blanket Weight |
| 100-120 pnds | 10-12 pnds |
| 120-140 pnds | 12-14 pnds |
| 140-160 pnds | 14-16 pnds |
| 160-180 pnds | 16-18 pnds |
| 180-200 pnds | 18-20 pnds |
Weighted Blankets for Children
Anxiety blankets can be used with children but it is worth noting that they are not considered safe for toddlers under the age of 2. If you are looking for a weighted blanket for a child then you should consider the following chart.
| Body Weight | Blanket Weight |
| 40-60 pnds | 5 pnds |
| 60-80 pnds | 7 pnds |
| 110 pnds | 10 pnds |
The Best Anxiety Blankets
The Jaymag weighted anxiety therapy blanket comes in 15 and 20-pound sizes. The blanket is recommended for people with anxiety, PTSD, restless leg syndrome and ADD/ADHD. It is made from 100% premium cotton and filled with BPA free glass beads. With over 200 positive reviews and at a great price point it is a great mid-range blanket.
Alternatively, the Van Beeken weighted blanket with a soft fleece cover comes highly recommended. This anxiety blanket is hypoallergenic, uses odourless glass beads and has a machine washable Minky fleece cover for Winter warmth. Get the feeling of being hugged with a product that comes in a range of sizes.
Anxiety Blankets and Sleep
Anxiety blankets are also used to help you get a better night’s sleep. This is because the pressure from the blanket can help to calm down the sympathetic nervous system decreasing the fight or flight response. Simply put when you feel calmer it is so much simpler to relax and allow yourself to fall into a deep sleep.
It is said that anxiety blankets can also help promote hormonal changes such as increasing oxytocin production which can help with sleep quality. As well as increasing serotonin which helps to make your feel more relaxed. In addition, they are thought to reduce cortisol production.
The great thing about weighted blankets is that they are a natural solution to anxiety and can be used in conjunction with therapy or guided meditations for anxiety. Using a combination of methods to create anxiety relief can create faster results for our clients. Just remember an anxiety blanket still should be used together with a good bedtime routine. Follow sleep hygiene rules carefully as well as using your blanket daily to get the best results and a much deeper sleep level. You could also use our Guided Meditation for Sleep Audio whilst in bed to help switch off your busy brain and ready yourself for sleep.
Natural Methods to Reduce Stress and Anxiety
Rewiring your brain to reduce anxiety often requires a combination of factors but in all but the most severe cases, it is entirely possible to do this without medication. A weighted blanket for anxiety is just one method that can be employed but when it is combined with therapy, self-hypnosis downloads and self care the results can be even more powerful.
We also have a set of anxiety tracker printables that can help you to try and trace the source of your worries. This set of printables gives you the tools to start spotting your anxiety triggers as well as ways of challenging unhelpful thoughts which can fuel the problem. Find the printables in our online store.
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