Healthy, quality sleep is essential for a child’s growth and development. Unfortunately, there are many things that disrupt a full night’s sleep. Sometimes the problem goes deeper than simply needing to establish a consistent night-time routine. Some children have difficulties soothing overstimulation or feeling secure.
A weighted blanket has pockets sewn into the fabric that hold beads or pellets to add a comforting weight that is evenly dispersed over the blanket area. Science has proven that these blankets are a remarkable aid to help children reduce their anxiety and sleep better. Here are a few of the biggest benefits for your child.
Better Sleep
If you have noticed that your child constantly has trouble falling asleep, staying asleep through the night, or experiences frequent night terrors, that a weighted blanket could be just the solution you are looking for.
The extra weight mimics the comfort of a hug and is a form of Deep Touch Pressure Therapy. DTP therapy can work magic by promoting relaxation and evening-out hormones.
When your child uses a weighted blanket, serotonin increases to improve mood, and melatonin, which is responsible for helping you to sleep, gets a boost. Weighted blankets can even decrease the stress hormone cortisol.
Calming Sensory Tool
Another benefit of a weighted blanket is to calm a hyperactive mind or body. The additional weight is a sensory experience that is highly effective at soothing a child so they can get some deep rest.
These blankets are helpful for autistic children, those that have OCD or ADHD, problems with overstimulation, or trouble with sensory processing. The pressure helps them to feel grounded and secure, similar to the way that a favourite stuffed animal can be something to hold on to and provide peace and security. Your child will feel like they are being held and protected.
Decreased Anxiety
Stress and anxiety can have a severe impact on the ability to fall asleep and avoid waking throughout the night to toss and turn. Your child may experience too much worry to easily fall asleep or have more intense symptoms like panic attacks. A racing heart and shortness of breath are common symptoms of anxiety but they make it nearly impossible to feel safe and calm enough to sleep.
If a mental health concern is affecting a child’s ability to sleep, the cycle may continue to worsen if it is not addressed. The inability to get sufficient rest can exacerbate these conditions, which in turn makes sleep even more impossible.
A weighted blanket can quiet these troublesome symptoms and activate the parasympathetic nervous system. This will allow your child to calm their thoughts and quell the fight-or-flight response.
More Productive Days
Children need sleep so they can get through their day just the same as adults do. The increased sleep quality and reduction in anxiety and emotional discomfort help them to finally get the amount of uninterrupted rest that they need.
This can make a huge difference in their performance and behaviour at school and in social situations. Children that use tools that offer DTP therapy have greater control over their behaviour and have fewer instances of lashing out at others or having meltdowns.
They feel more comfortable in public places and amongst their peers. It’s even a good possibility that children who use a weighted blanket have an increased focus on their schooling, chores, and activities.
Help your child get the best sleep ever and improve their mood with a weighted blanket. You will be relieved with the ability to finally help your child rest fully so they are happier, healthier, and prepared for the day ahead.
