Offer To Run An Errand
Getting out in cold, icy weather isnt just inconvenient for people with arthritis it can be downright dangerous because of the increased risk of slips and falls. Help keep your loved one safe and comfortable by giving them the gift of running an errand.
One of the best gifts I got was when a friend would call from the grocery store, ask me what I needed, and pick it up for me, says Sarah T. You can offer to pick up groceries, mail packages, get mail, grab their kids from school, or drive relatives to and from the airport. Depending on your time and resources, the options are limitless.
Are Weighted Blankets Safe
Weighted blankets are generally considered safe, as long as the person using the blanket has enough strength and physical dexterity to lift the blanket off themselves when necessary to prevent suffocation or entrapment.
Some sleepers should take extra precautions and speak to their doctor before using a weighted blanket. A weighted blanket may be unsuitable for people with certain medical conditions, including chronic respiratory or circulatory issues, asthma, low blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and claustrophobia. Experts also recommend that people with obstructive sleep apnea avoid using weighted blankets, because the weight of a heavy blanket may restrict airflow.
Though there are some weighted blankets specifically designed for children, infants and toddlers should not use weighted blankets as they run the risk of becoming trapped underneath.
What Can Weighted Blankets Help With
With that said, almost anyone can benefit from this added pressure. Weighted blankets and deep pressure therapy provide necessary physical and mental relief and are a viable option for easing the symptoms of a range of issues. Below are just a few of the most notable health and wellness issues weighted blankets can help with.
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The Safe Science Behind Weighted Blankets
Weighted blankets simulate a therapy called Deep Pressure Therapy, or DPT. It is commonly used in hospitals to calm patients suffering from anxiety and spatial disorders.
DPT is non-medicinal and non-addictive. It is enabled with a device, not drugs, so none of the risks associated with medicine are at play here.
In hospitals, DPT is simulated using squeeze machines. These machines replicate the sensation of being bear hugged. Weighted blankets replicate the same sensation in a portable way.
Clinical studies show weighted blankets and weighted blanket therapy can help with insomnia , anxiety , ADHD and Tourette syndrome .
Furthermore, there are thousands of real use cases where peoples sleep and mental health state has been improved with Deep Pressure Therapy.
If you are looking for a weighted blanket because you struggle to sleep well or are anxious, then it could really help you. DPT is a 100% safe therapy and you have nothing to lose by trying it. We say give it a go.
What Conditions Are Weighted Blankets Good For
As we explained in the intro, there are a handful of conditions that affect seniors for which weighted blankets can be especially useful. For instance, if your elderly parent or loved one has depression and anxiety, they should try a weighted blanket. Restless leg syndrome symptoms may be lessened through one of these blankets, as well.
Although there havent been many studies done on weighted blankets, there have been a few and they show these blankets can be beneficial, in some cases. For example, a study reported on by Health Med at Indiana University found that the physical signs of stress and anxiety in the test subjects were reduced by 63 percent after using a 30-pound weighted blanket.
If used properly, weighed blankets may benefit the elderly in the following ways:
- Lessening the symptoms of some conditions
- Reducing depression and anxiety
- Increasing the quality of sleep
- Cutting down on stress
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Weighted Blanket Side Effects
As wonderful as they are, weighted blankets are not for everyone. Young children under three years old or less than 50 lbs may be at risk when using a weighted blanket. Always check with your childs doctor before using a weighted blanket for a child of any age.People with certain health conditions should also avoid weighted blankets. These include chronic respiratory conditions, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , and obstructive sleep apnea.
Also, a weighted blanket may be unsuitable for claustrophobic people as it may cause anxiety rather than ease it.
Chapter 6
Can Weighted Blankets Cause Anxiety
weighted blanketsanxietyweighted blanketsblankets
. Herein, can weighted blankets be harmful?
Weighted blankets were originally used to help children with autism sleep better. There’s a growing body of evidence showing they could help insomnia and ease anxiety in adults. Weighted blankets are generally safe to use, but they do pose a suffocation risk for children under three.
Likewise, how long does it take to get used to a weighted blanket? Honestly, it may take a few nights to get used to the weight and change old patterns. We recommend you try sleeping with your blanket for at least a week and in a few different ways to see how your body is best comforted. Here’s how: 1.
Moreover, who should not use a weighted blanket?
Weight matters.Young children under the age of 3 or weighing less than 50 pounds should not use a weighted blanket because of the risk of suffocation there have been at least two child deaths involving the blankets.
What is the deal with weighted blankets?
The pressure created by the weight of the blankets increases the level of serotonin in your body, which is then converted to melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep. Basically, from day one, you can expect to fall asleep faster, get a better quality of rest, and wake up ready to rock, roll, and kick the day’s ass.
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Lock You Can Open With A Touch
The Tapplock Lite is a padlock but instead of small dials that need to be twisted or tiny buttons that need to be pressed motions that can feel impossible to someone with arthritis in their hands you can open it with a touch of your finger. The lock works by recognizing fingerprints, which allows your loved one to keep their stuff safe at the gym, at home, or in their luggage while traveling.
How Do I Choose The Right Weight For My Weighted Blanket
The general rule for picking the right weight for a weighted blanket is to get one that’s as close to 10% of your body weight that you can. So if you weigh 150 pounds, you’ll want a 15-pound weighted blanket. If you weigh 200 pounds, get a 20-pound blanket and so on.
Blankets that are heavier than 10% of your body weight will be hard to lift off your body, which can make you feel trapped and could be dangerous for anyone with mobility limitations. Lighter than 10% and you might not feel the therapeutic benefits.
If you’re between sizes of the blanket you want to buy — for example, if you weigh 170 and you have to pick between a 15- and 20-pound blanket — you’re better off sizing up.
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What Is A Weighted Blanket
Medical professionals typically use weighted blankets to provide deep touch comfort for anxious and restless patients in a therapeutic setting. Dr. Temple Grandin, an animal behaviorist, was the first to observe that deep-pressure touch calmed the central nervous systems of animals and humans with sensory disorders. Dr. Grandin, who has autism, was inspired by personal sensory issues and those observed in animals. She developed a “hug machine,” which led to the weighted blanket’s development and use.
Heavier than standard blankets, weighted blankets apply even pressure across the body to promote relaxation.
Today, millions of adults and children use weighted blankets to promote restful sleep, feelings of well-being, and relaxation.
Fights Back Against Stress
Stress happens to everyone, and you dont have to have a chronic stress problem to feel the negative side effects. Whether its a bad day at work, an argument with your spouse or an avalanche of bills, stress can do a number on your mental and physical health.
The good news is weighted blankets help you fight back. Research shows that deep touch pressure stimulation therapy works. With a weighted blanket, you dont have to travel to a therapist or buy expensive equipment to get stress relief. SensaCalm offers weighted blankets in a wide range of attractive, contemporary patterns and styles, you can even incorporate your weighted blanket into your homes decor.
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Weighted Blankets For Adhd
Weighted blankets can be beneficial to people with ADHD. ADHD is a common condition that makes it hard to focus, keep still, manage emotions, and consider consequences before acting.
Many children with ADHD have trouble calming down and self-regulating. For some, a weighted blanket may be helpful. Speak to your childs pediatrician or occupational therapist about the benefits of weighted blankets for your childs unique needs.
Chapter 3
Weighted Blanket Weight Chart
| 180 – 200 lbs. | 18 – 20 lbs. |
|---|
Filler: There are many types of fillers that act as the weight inside a weighted blanket. Below is a list of the most common types:
Poly-pellets: These are tiny, round pellets made from virgin plastic materials that have not been exposed to other chemicals and toxins. Poly-pellets are okay as weighted filler, but they can seem a bit noisy when they rub against each other inside the layers of the blanket.
Glass beads: These are a high-quality type of glass bead used in weighted blankets that are so small they resemble salt crystals.
Sand: This is an effective, affordable filler for weighted blankets, although it does not wash well since it can swell and become lumpy when it comes into contact with water. This can affect both the look and feel of the weighted blanket.
Rice: This inexpensive filler is popular with many DIY-ers who make their own weighted blanket. However, similar to other organic materials and foods like beans, they do not do well in water, so washing is an issue. If you prefer a filler made from rice, sand or beans, its best to consider a duvet cover that can be easily removed and washed.
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Sleeper Pick: Ynm Weighted Blanket
- Wide range of colours
- Suitable for kids and adults
- Tight sewing technology to prevent leaking of beads
- Rough texture
| Item Weight: | 15 lbs. |
Thanks to its small inner construction and refined sewing process, these cotton blankets prevent bead leakage and separation to help you enjoy a restful night sleep. By using a unique seven-layer construction, this YnM weighted blanket was created to naturally contour to your body shape, providing you and your loved ones with a calming sensory blanket, suitable for both adults and children.
It has a wide range of sizes, weights and colours to choose from, and it incorporates bamboo to help keep you cool while you sleep. Another great feature is its small 4 x 4 compartments that allow for a more evenly spread distribution of its glass beads to help reduce stress and improve your sleep.
Best Organic Weighted Blanket
- Dimensions: 40 x 72
- Weight Options: 10, 15, 20 and 25 pounds
Bearaby weighted blankets are made from breathable, weighted yarn rather than plastic or glass beads, so youll probably have a cooler nights sleep, especially if you tend to run hot. The Cotton Napper is eco-friendly and made from organic layered cotton that makes the blanket soft and silent when youre moving around. Its ideal for all sleepers and provides evenly dispersed weight. And its chic-looking, something that cant be said for many other weighted blankets.
With an astonishing average of 4.9 stars, the Cotton Napper is praised for its good looks, breathability, temperature control and comfort. You can choose from five colors in the Classic Collection and four different fall-inspired colors in the Harvest Collection. Youll also have 30 days to decide if the Cotton Napper is right for youif not, there are other variations of the weighted blanket like the Tree Napper made from TENCEL, the eight-pound Nappling blanket and a weighted comforter to choose from.
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Best Cooling Weighted Blanket
- Dimensions: 48 x 72
- Weight Options: 5, 10, 15 and 20 pounds
The Aricove Cooling Weighted Blanket is made from twill-woven bamboo viscose that helps regulate body temperature and keep you cool by wicking away moisture from your skin. The extra weight comes from lead-free glass beads and the seven-layer design includes layers of hypoallergenic microfiber. The weighted blanket is free from harmful chemicals, so not only will you be cooler when you sleep, but youll also sleep healthier. Machine and tumble dry-safe, this Aricove Cooling Blanket also comes with a duffel bag so you can easily take it with you wherever you go.
One reviewer writes, I get hot flashes at night easily, often waking up in sweat in the middle of the night. I am in love with the blanket also for the fact that it is cooling and breathable as it said.
- Dimensions: 48 x 72
- Weight Options: 5, 7, 10, 12, 15, 17, 20, 25 and 30 pounds
With almost 35,000 five-star reviews, the YnM Weighted Blanket is a customer favorite. These weighted blankets utilize a seven-layer design comprised of glass beads and 100% Okeo-Tex certified cotton. YnM Bamboo blankets have a good amount of temperature control but if you tend to run hot, the company recommends sleeping with the AC on. Plus there are a wide range of weight, color and pattern options at budget-friendly prices.
Do Weighed Blankets Really Work
Yes experts advise there are real benefits to using a weighted blanket. “There is recent research suggesting they can help reduce or relieve anxiety,” shares Christine Rocchio Mueller, Occupational Therapist at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. Rocchio Mueller also says they can help people who may not consider themselves anxious, yet still suffer from insomnia or sleep disturbances: “A weighted blanket might provide just enough physiological calm that it helps them relax to fall asleep.”
Many users describe the sensation of lying under a weighted blanket as feeling like a hug. According to Rocchio Mueller, “It is one of the most natural things to reach and hug a family member or friend when they are upset or anxious. While a hug might not solve all your problems, it often helps you feel better by calming your body which then allows you to think a little bit clearer.”
Weighted blankets have been around for a while, but they’re now widely available with many options to choose from. Just keep in mind that they’re pricier than regular throw blankets most range from $100 to $200.
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Why You Should Stay Under 35 Pounds
Thirty-five pounds is the maximum weight your blanket should be, no matter your size or how many people are sharing the blanket.
There are a few reasons to make sure your weighted blanket doesnt exceed the recommended weight, including comfort and danger. Dont worry though youll still get the rest you crave with a lighter weight.
When You Sleep With A Weighted Blanket Every Night Your Body May Release More Of These Chemicals
While many question the efficacy of a weighted blanket, it is hard to deny a few potential chemical effects. Deep Touch Pressure, in its many forms, has been shown to increase the release of serotonin, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Per Healthline, the neurotransmitter serotonin is a “natural mood stabilizer” as well as activates regions of the brain that regulates sleep and wake times.
Similarly, the full-body cuddle of a weighted blanket can also foster the release of oxytocin, the National Sleep Foundation explained. Under “stress-free conditions,” this chemical can have a calming effect and enhance sleep, as noted by a study in Regulatory Peptides.
Finally, the Deep Tissue Pressure produced by a weighted blanket can help you produce the ultimate sleep-enabling hormone, melatonin, according to Psychology Today. This can be considered the icing on the sedative cake.
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Others Have Experienced The Same
I receive lots of email as a result of this blog post. Here is one example:
Within one month of getting my weighted blanket, I started suffering from extreme hip pain. I tried to think of what I could have possibly done to cause this, when my wife suggested trying to sleep without it. The very first morning I awoke with zero pain, after suffering for a month, never thinking this could be caused by simply adding some weight. Thanks for the article that helped me not to ignore my wifes suggestion.
John S.
And for the record, please dont email and tell me well, you did it wrong. Its unbelievable, but I get a few of those emails each month. People claiming that I used my weighted blanket incorrectly and should try again. First, no I didnt. My blanket was actually less than 10% of my body weight which is what is recommended.
Second, my doctor and I considered removing parts of my spine. It is not that important to me to use a weighted blanket, that its worth losing body parts. Take your woo some place else.
Youre So Tired But The Pain Wont Let You Get Good Rest Heres Why Pain Gets Worse At Night And What You Can Do About It
Painsomnia is the inability to sleep due to pain. Its an all-too familiar symptom for those living with different kinds of arthritis. Unfortunately, its an every night occurrence, Lee Driscoll Dandan told CreakyJoints on Facebook.
Im woken and kept awake by pain most nights its mentally and physically exhausting, shared Damla Huss.
In a major 2012 National Institutes of Health study, insomnia was significantly higher among those with arthritis , affecting 10.2 million people and 23 percent of people with arthritis. A recent study from this year found an even higher estimate of insomnia among osteoarthritis patients, at 34 percent in a university of Pittsburgh study, one-third of rheumatoid arthritis patients reported pain-disturbed sleep three or more times a week.
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