Expert’s Advice on the Way Weighted Blankets Affect Anxiety
Research shows that anxiety and sleep are closely connected. Oftentimes, people sleep better when their anxiety is low because they aren’t constantly thinking about things, and for most, a bad night’s sleep can heighten their anxiety. As you can see, sleep and anxiety go hand in hand. Perhaps a weighted blanket is the solution.
“It’s like having the best hug for a long period of time,” Raj Dasgupta, MD, spokesperson for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine says, adding that weighted blankets may help people with anxiety or depression.
According to a study done back in 2015, the 32 adults that used a weighted blanket, 63% reported lower anxiety and 78% preferred the weighted blanket to calm down.
Essentially, weighted blankets have shown positive improvement in sleep and stress levels for people with autism, ADHD, and anxiety. But even if you don’t have anxiety, occupational therapists say you’ll still feel good under a weighted blanket.