Sleepless nights often leave you searching for strength the next day,
draining your body of every ounce of energy and weighing you down.
Anxiety can leave you swimming in the pool of your worries, jumping from one to
the other, connecting the dots where there aren’t any, stuck in the cobwebs of
your own making. And then you hear your blaring alarm that makes you realise
its morning and you lost your sleep to your thoughts once again.

How often have you counted from 100 till one in the hopes that you will
slowly drift off to sleep eventually? If the answer scares you, there is a
solution.

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Weighted blankets are known to lift the weights from your mind, putting
you straight to sleep. This is not just poetic — but backed by scientific
proof. Filled with plastic, glass or metal particles, weighted blankets range from
two to 13 kilograms, as compared to regular blankets that weigh one to two
kilograms.

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Evidence suggests that weighted blankets provide deep pressure
stimulation, a feeling that resembles gently holding someone, inducing a sense
of calm. Just like babies sleep well when they are snuggled up in blankets,
the same concept stands true for a person experiencing difficulty sleeping. This
decreases the stress hormone cortisol that typically runs high in people with
chronic anxiety, stress and other disorders.  

People with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and insomnia reported
better sleep quality according to a few studies. As per a study published in
the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, people showed reduced insomnia severity
index scores after using weighted blankets. Continued use showed improved sleep
cycles, and diminished symptoms of anxiety, depression and fatigue. Some children
with attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder or autism showed positive
effects of weighted blankets.

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The sensory or touch-related theory worked wonders for many participants.

Since this works on psychoanalytical mechanism, different people show
different intensities of improvement. People suffering from claustrophobia tend
to show negative effects. Similarly, people with sleep apnea, asthma or
respiratory conditions should think twice before using this as it may cause side-effects.
Also, weighted blankets are not recommended for toddlers below two years of
age.

Weighted blankets can prove to be harmful for pets too. They may be too
heavy for them to carry.

An ideal weighted blanket should weigh seven to 12% of your body weight,
but one must choose as per preference. Some blankets survive an entire year,
made of a higher proportion of fabric layers of cotton. This allows more air to
pass through, thus keeping your body temperature in check.

Weighted blankets assist your sleep, but are not a cure for
sleep-related problems. A healthy sleep routine is a must.