Katharina Meier-Batrakows experience with therapy blankets
"Hugging someone to offer comfort, holding a child to soothe them – these are all time-tested methods for stress reduction."
How did you come across the therapy blanket concept?
During my work at a clinic for child and adolescent psychiatry, I observed the use of therapy blankets with children suffering from various mental illnesses and stresses. The therapy blankets were used there, for example, as part of occupational therapy (a component of the treatment concept) or in everyday inpatient care.
With guidance and some "practice," the children were able to benefit from the calming and relaxing effects of the therapy blankets and use them, for example, in situations with high tension.
How do you personally experience using a weighted blanket?
To elaborate a bit: After the birth of our daughter, there were several months of little sleep and many interrupted nights. When our daughter's sleep became calmer, my sleep remained restless for some time – as if my body was still "tense" and on "high alert." The process of sleeping peacefully again is still ongoing: I feel and see (through sleep tracking) that I am still often in light sleep and frequently wake briefly. As a result, I often wake up feeling unrested. With the help of the therapy blankets, I was able to notice initial improvements after 3 weeks. I record more restorative deep sleep and fewer waking phases overall. Of course, this did not happen overnight – I also needed a few days to get used to the weight (and my body). By now, my husband and I "argue" about who gets to sleep with the weighted blanket.
My daughter also has a weighted blanket suited to her size and age – at first, she absolutely loved the designs on the cover and loved the blanket from the start. She was not bothered by the extra weight from day one and called the therapy blanket a "cuddle blanket." I find it interesting that she apparently really perceives the extra weight as "cuddly." I have the impression that with the help of the blanket and a nice bedtime ritual, she calms down well and no longer "fidgets and squirms" so much, which makes it easier for her to fall asleep. As a baby, she always had to be swaddled, so this might be a similar effect for "big kids."
In which medical areas do you think the use of therapy blankets makes sense? Where do you already use therapy blankets successfully? And where do you still see potential / need?
In my opinion, the use of therapy blankets is very versatile. They can be used in every age group starting from early childhood. We live in a world full of stimuli; everything is fast-paced and often associated with stress and pressure. This already begins with young children in elementary school or even kindergarten. Many people benefit from quiet retreats during the day and restful sleep.
Therefore, I see the use of therapy blankets not only in the clinical field, for example in children's hospitals, therapeutic practices, and care facilities, but there is also potential in the subclinical and preventive areas. By this, I mean people who have difficulties falling asleep and staying asleep and/or experience professional/private stress. Chronic stress and often associated poorer sleep are well-known risk factors for physical and mental illnesses.
And of course, as in my example with parents who want to return to more and deeper sleep after a longer "stress phase." Because a prolonged period of little sleep is simply physical stress, and that first needs to be processed.
Of course, it is important not to consider therapy blankets as a "cure-all" – a permanent lifestyle adjustment is also important if you experience a lot of stress and suffer from sleep difficulties. Nevertheless, the therapy blanket can contribute a part to the "therapy" and be a building block for improving quality of life.
Your conclusion from a personal or medical perspective
Especially in the current times surrounding the coronavirus, physical contact between people is even more restricted than it already is in our modern world. However, it should not be forgotten that our skin and nervous system can respond very positively to physical contact during stress. Hugging someone or holding their hand when they need comfort, holding a child to soothe them – all of these are time-tested methods for stress reduction. A therapy blanket simulates that very physical sensation, and because of this effect, it is recommended both medically/therapeutically and for private use. Additionally, therapy blankets can be customized through various weight options, sizes, and designs. There are models suitable for private use at home as well as for hospitals, care facilities, and therapeutic practices that can contribute to an increase in well-being.