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What Does a Weighted Pillow Do? Can It Help You Sleep Better?

What Does a Weighted Pillow Do

Everyone experiences anxiety at some point and weighted blankets are touted as a natural means of reducing tension and worry. Heavy blankets have become very popular since the Gravity Blanket went viral on Kickstarter a couple of years ago. Consumers swear by their calming effect. There is one drawback to weighted blankets: they are often costly. 

There is, however, a new, more flexible take on the weighted item trend: weighted pillows. There is a wide range of sizes, shapes, and materials available in these weighted pillows, and they provide similar benefits to weighted blankets for a fraction of the price. For people unfamiliar with weighted pillows, this article explains what they actually do. 

What Does a Weighted Pillow Do? - Summary

What Does a Weighted Pillow Do?

using a weighted pillow to reduce anxiety

Weighted blankets are well known, but did you know that you can also benefit from incorporating a weighted pillow into your bedtime ritual. Below are some advantages of weighted pillows:

Weighted Pillows Help to Improve Your Sleep Quality

Sleep experts recommend practicing good sleep hygiene to get a good night’s rest. Your sleeping environment should be set up in a way that allows you to get good quality sleep. As part of its sleep hygiene recommendations, the CDC recommends setting a regular bedtime, keeping the environment dark and quiet, and avoiding electronic devices before bedtime. 

The addition of weighted pillows can help you relax and drift off to sleep by creating a comfortable and warm environment. The use of weighted items is therapeutic for children as well. Additionally, you can also use a weighted beck pillow stuffed with glass beads to help you relax your neck and shoulders while doing other chores.

Reduces anxiety and stress

When patients suffer from anxiety and stress, weighted pillows can help relax them and alleviate symptoms. This results in people falling asleep faster and experiencing fewer panic attacks or duress attacks while sleeping. Furthermore, depending on your preferences and needs, you can create a range of different weighted pillows and cover and fill them yourself.

Weighted Pillows can Help Relieve Symptoms of PTSD

People who have experienced an anxiety-inducing, traumatic event are also at risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Things that happen throughout the night may trigger anxiety or memories for someone suffering from PTSD. The pillow’s weight soothes the body and the mind, making a fitful night of sleep into a deep sleep.

Puts your mind at ease

Weighted pillows have many benefits that can meet a variety of needs. With all the meetings we attend and the countless screens we stare at every day, it may seem almost impossible to shut off fully at night in this fast-paced society. 

Weighted pillows act like noise-canceling headphones that make us feel comfortable turning our gaze inward. Additionally, weighted pillows encourage your body to remain still while you sleep. 

Providing calming assistance to people with ADHD

ADHD patients may have difficulty concentrating and sleeping, whether adults or children. Weighted pillows help people fall asleep faster, so their brains can enter a resting state faster. Weighted pillows help individuals with ADHD stay asleep longer and avoid waking up to distractions during the night.

Assist the child in being comfortable

Weighed pillows can provide the perfect amount of comfort and relaxation. If you have children who have difficulty relaxing or falling asleep, these issues can profoundly impact both their lives and yours. If you get a weighted pillow for your older child, you can help them relax and feel snug, which will help them relax and calm down. On the market, some pillows are only intended for babies. 

These pillows help relieve pressure on your baby’s head while they sleep without increasing the risk of suffocation. Your child will benefit from the pillows’ optimum sensory stimulation, which helps with coordination, motor control, mood, attentiveness, and more.

Relieves travel anxiety

Though travel should be exciting and fun, stress and anxiety are common side effects. Some people cannot handle small, confined spaces, such as airplanes or cars. Some people feel overwhelmed by the chaos at the airport or train station. Others dislike going out of their comfort zone. 

In such cases, a weighted pillow may be helpful. With a weighted pillow, you can alleviate travel anxiety by stimulating your body’s production of the feel-good chemical serotonin. Since a weighted pillow is less heavy than a weighted blanket, you can carry it easily.

There are many ways in which weighted pillows can help users. The soothing effect of a weighted body pillow is similar to that of a hug. Thus many people prefer to sleep with one. You can mix polyfill with glass beads if you want a different feel. Plastic pallets can also be used to add weight. 

With the use of a weighted pillow, serotonin and dopamine are released, which are referred to as feel-good hormones. Consequently, you will feel less agitated and more relaxed. 

Conclusion

A weighted blanket or pillow can offer therapeutic benefits. Weighted pillows may help people who struggle with anxiety and sensory issues get a better night’s sleep. These days, there is a wide range of stylish weighted pillows available. I ordered my own pillow to sleep on or use during the day. 

Weighted pillows have worked well for me, and I would like to see more of these types of pillows on the market in the future. Those who are hesitant to try weighted products due to their cost or concern about their safety should consider a weighted pillow. You can buy our top selected weighted pillows here. If you specifically deal with ADHD or anxiety, we also have a buying guide on weighted pillows for anxiety here and also body weighted pillows that can be used for hugging to feel extra safe at night.

Mike Horton (head of Weighted Living)

by Mike Horton

Mike is one of the lead editors at Weighted Living and the author of this article. He's become fascinated with weighted products (a bit too much we think) and loves to see all the different ways they can improve our loves. He's written quite a few weighted product guides as well.

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