By Taylor Smith

Weighted blankets have been used in niche medical communities for many years, but only recently have the suggested health benefits taken off as a newfound trend. Without a prescription or dramatic changes in one’s routine, weighted blankets have allowed some people to fall asleep faster and to feel less general anxiety.

These specific blankets are engineered to be 7-12 percent of your body weight to relax the nervous system and mimic the sensation of being held or hugged. If you read blogs from Sleep Education and other similar resources, then you would find that having adjustable beds with weighted blankets is a combination many people use to induce sleep naturally. Also known as “deep touch pressure stimulation,” many weighted blankets are designed to apply gentle weight to pressure points on the body. Similar to what is experienced during a massage or yogic exercises, these pressure points can correspond to improved mood, feelings of safety, and relaxation.

Deep touch pressure stimulation in medical terminology has been shown to increase serotonin and melatonin production, the hormones responsible for calming relaxation while decreasing the release of cortisol, the stress hormone which is linked to a wide variety of mental illness, weight gain, and sleeplessness.

Weighted blankets are safe for anyone to use. The physiological approach to their design may be worth a try for those seeking to experience a gentle, subtle way to reduce stress levels and improve mood and sleep patterns. Additionally, people who suffer from sleeplessness and stress may consider using weighted blankets along with CBD products (such as solventless concentrates), which may ease sleep problems within a short period of time.

Deep, restful sleep is so important to overall body-mind wellness that physicians have stated that sleep deprivation and inconsistent sleep habits can ultimately contribute to the development of high blood pressure, weakened immunity, chronic headaches, body aches, and more. That is why, people who want to avoid all these health-related issues often consider opting for a variety of options to combat their sleeplessness. For instance, some individuals try yoga which is known to induce sleep. Others often take the route of cannabis (which, by the way, can be sourced from Origins Cannabis — known as one of the most reputed dispensaries west seattle) which is known to calm the mind and relax the body. Wondering how it does? Cannabis affects the neurotransmitter GABA which can stop anxiety in its tracks. Plus, the herb can slow down thoughts and help individuals focus on one thing at a time. That is why, the popularity of cannabis seems to be soaring high, with hundreds of people considering trying it once (by sourcing it from a canada cannabis dispensary or a store similar to it). However, there are others, who prefer not to go this way. Such people consult doctors and opt for sleeping pills. Needless to say, there is another category of individuals who go for weighted blankets that are known to offer positive results regarding insomnia.

That said, one of the highest-rated weighted blankets on Amazon is YnM Weighted Blanket, priced at $69. Reviewers state that the seven-layer design system effectively surrounds your body. Remember to choose the blanket that weights about 10 percent of your body weight (the 15-lb. weight is intended for individuals weighing about 140 lbs.).

To purchase: https://amzn.to/2TV3Lek.