Aromatherapy Meets Deep Pressure: How Scented Weighted Blankets Enhance Sleep – Weighted blankets have surged in popularity in recent years. Originally designed as a therapeutic aid, they were intended to assist individuals with conditions like autism, where anxiety is often a persistent challenge.
Unlike traditional comforters made solely of fabric, weighted blankets contain internal filling materials that add heaviness. Depending on the brand, these fillers may include glass, plastic, or metal beads, as well as natural options like rice, grains, beans, or sand. These materials are carefully sewn into compartments to ensure even weight distribution across the blanket.
When someone lies under a weighted blanket, they experience a sensation of gentle, uniform pressure over their body. This effect, known as deep touch pressure, is widely used in occupational therapy. Research suggests that this type of stimulation engages brain regions responsible for regulating involuntary bodily functions, including heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and digestion. It has been applied with notable success to individuals with various sensory processing disorders.
Over the years, studies on weighted blankets have highlighted several possible benefits. These include reducing insomnia in adults with depression, anxiety, and attention deficit disorders; alleviating anxiety in some children with mental health conditions; and enhancing sleep quality for elderly individuals in nursing homes. Research findings indicate that participants using weighted blankets fell asleep more quickly, experienced fewer nighttime awakenings, and reported a greater sense of daytime relaxation.
A recent study conducted in Sweden suggests a potential link between the use of weighted blankets and increased melatonin production. Melatonin is a crucial hormone that regulates the body’s sleep-wake cycle, signaling when it’s time to rest. In this study, researchers observed 26 healthy young adults with no prior sleep issues. When participants used a weighted blanket at night, their melatonin levels were notably higher compared to nights when they slept with a conventional blanket. Although the study was brief, lasting only two days, and involved a small sample size, its findings opened up new discussions about the physiological effects of weighted blankets beyond their known therapeutic benefits.
The widely recommended guideline for selecting a weighted blanket is to choose one that is approximately 10% of the user’s body weight, though individual comfort and preference also play a role. The type of filling—whether glass beads, plastic pellets, or natural materials like grains and sand—varies by manufacturer and personal choice. While many people find weighted blankets beneficial, they are not suitable for everyone.
Caution is necessary when considering weighted blankets for individuals who may struggle to remove them independently. This includes infants, young children, and older adults who are frail or have limited mobility. Additionally, certain medical conditions may make weighted blankets unsuitable, including Type 2 diabetes, asthma, obstructive sleep apnea, low blood pressure, and circulatory disorders. People with these conditions should consult a healthcare professional before using a weighted blanket to ensure it aligns with their health needs.
As research into weighted blankets continues, studies like the one from Sweden add to the evolving understanding of their potential physiological impacts. While they have long been valued for their calming and therapeutic effects, their influence on sleep-related hormones could further validate their role in promoting better rest and relaxation.
With the benefits of a weighted blanket, having a touch of aromatherapy is only an added bonus. Some people may include it in their nighttime regimen through a diffuser or topically, but now you can find a weighted blanket that includes aromatherapy. When thinking about sleep and its relationship to the senses, few people immediately think of smell. Sight, sound, and touch typically receive more attention because of the obvious ways that light, noise, and comfort can impact sleep. While it might not be as immediately apparent, smell can directly affect sleep.
The connections between smell and sleep are subject to continuing research. Learning more about what has been discovered so far provides opportunities to make the bedroom environment more conducive to quality sleep. Sleep can affect the sense of smell, and smell can affect sleep. One factor that influences the sense of smell is the circadian rhythm. The circadian rhythm is known for promoting sleep during the night and wakefulness during the day, but it affects numerous other bodily processes as well. Sensitivity to smell can change throughout the day, and lower sensitivity at night helps encourage sleep. Sleep can also contribute to how smell is perceived and remembered. Research has also shown that smell can have an effect on how long it takes to fall asleep, in addition to overall sleep quality and quantity. Distinct scents may promote better sleep, help people wake up in the morning, or even influence dreams and memory formation during sleep.
To further personalize the experience, the Snuggle Sense blanket includes customizable aromatherapy sachets, allowing users to infuse calming scents like lavender, chamomile, or eucalyptus directly into the blanket. These therapeutic herbs allow sleep-conscious consumers to achieve more effortless relaxation and sleep.
If you or anyone you know suffers from a sleeping disorder or has problems with their sleep, please contact us for a consultation.
You may find the Snuggle Sense blanket on their website.
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