Do Weighted Blankets Help with Anxiety?

And do I give these a green light to help with anxiety?

Weighted blankets have gained popularity in recent years for their ability to help people with anxiety. These blankets are designed to be heavier than traditional blankets, typically weighing between 5 to 25 pounds, and are filled with materials like glass beads or plastic pellets.

In most cases though, I have to say it — anxiety is a much deeper issue than throwing a blanket on yourself and calling it a day, but before I had spiraled into the rabbit hole of understanding my OCD and anxiety at a deeper level, I tried all the external remedies to help squash my discomfort and bouts of severe anxiety.

So, why do weighted blankets help with anxiety? Here are a few reasons:

1. Mimics the feeling of a wonderful hug: Weighted blankets emulate the sensation of an exquisite embrace by applying gentle, uniform pressure throughout the body. The pressure on the body stimulates the release of oxytocin, a hormone that alleviates apprehension and induces tranquility.
2. Reduces cortisol levels: Cortisol is a hormone that the body produces in response to stress. High cortisol levels can lead to anxiety and other negative health effects. The deep pressure stimulation provided by a weighted blanket can help lower cortisol levels, reducing feelings of anxiety.
3. Promotes deeper sleep: Anxiety can make sleep, either falling asleep or staying asleep, virtually impossible. Weighted…