Yes, you read the title correctly, anxiety reducing blankets are real! Are they magic? Not exactly.
One company, Mosaic Weighted Blankets, sells custom blankets that weigh anywhere from 2 to 30 pounds. The idea of the weighted blankets is that they can allow us to feel like we are being swaddled or hugged, and that provides a sense of security for us. Inside the body, serotonin and endorphins are produced, which allow us to feel calm and relaxed.
Forbes Contributor, David Hochman, writes, “Traditionally, weighted blankets are used as part of occupational therapy for children experiencing sensory disorders, anxiety, stress or issues related to autism. But even kids without such a diagnosis find important benefits.” Hochman’s statement on the vast populations of people who can benefit from these weighted blankets speaks volumes. He went on to talk about how he saw an improvement in his own ten year old son’s behavior from using the blanket.
Whether we like it or not, anxiety is a feature of life that we all face. However, some face it more than others. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America states, “Anxiety disorders are one of the most common mental health problems on college campuses. Forty million U.S. adults suffer from an anxiety disorder, and 75 percent of them experience their first episode of anxiety by age 22.” These alarming statistics show that anxiety plagues many Americans, and that for most people, the first signs of anxiety occur before the age of 22, which is the age that most students graduate from college. Coincidence? Perhaps. But with statistics that high, it’s probably not.
So, in times of high stress in society and our personal lives, let’s take time to ensure that we take care of ourselves. I am a strong believer in exercising, doing yoga, and doing breathing exercises in order to relieve anxiety, but maybe these weighted blankets are worth the investment and will prove to be beneficial.
Want more information on the science behind how deep pressure alleviates stress and anxiety? Click here to read Temple Grandin’s findings!