Weighing in on sweet slumber

WEIGHTED blankets are all the rage in the United States, these days, and so I thought it would be worthwhile for me to throw in my two cents' worth on the product, in case any of you are interested in trying it out.

Weighted blankets, also known as gravity blankets, are simply quilts with a heavier filling than the usual synthetic or down fillings - typically, glass or plastic pellets - and are meant to provide added weight onto your person. They were first developed as therapeutic tools, and are said to have been effective in calming children who suffer from sensory issues, resulting from autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), for example. According to Autism Parenting Magazine, weighted blankets provide deep-touch therapy or deep-pressure stimulation, which creates a sensation similar to being held or hugged. Applied Behavioral Analysis EDU, an independent online publishing group, says the sensation helps the body to switch from running its sympathetic nervous system to its parasympathetic nervous system, moving from the fight-or-flight impulse to the rest-and-digest one. These blankets are now proving to be very popular with adults, as well - and not just those suffering from anxiety, but anyone looking for better sleep.

A 2015 research article, Positive Effects of a Weighted Blanketon Insomnia, published in the Journal of Sleep Medicine & Disorders, said its study showed that a weighted blanket could be beneficial for general insomnia and potentially also for mild sleep problems. "When the participants used the weighted blanket, they had a calmer night's sleep, with a decrease in movements. Subjectively, they believed that using the blanket provided them with a more comfortable, better quality, and more secure sleep," the article said.