Who is a weighted blanket suitable for?

“Weighted blanket” is another word for sensory blanket. The first term refers to the weight, the second to the senses. Both are correct because the blanket applies an even deep pressure with its weight, which acts on the receptors (senses) responsible for body perception.

The desire to feel pressure on the body occurs especially in children and adults who suffer from hypersensitivity, overstimulation, restlessness, or tactile perception disorders. This group includes, among others, autistic people, individuals with ADHD, people with Down, Asperger, or Tourette syndrome. Deep pressure also has a positive effect on people affected by anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders. Weighted blankets are also used in the treatment of depression.

weighted blanket – Recovery at night, relaxation during the day

Parents of children with psychomotor developmental disorders usually notice an almost immediate improvement in their children's sleep quality when they are covered with a weighted blanket before falling asleep. The children fall asleep faster and more easily, sleep longer, and the sleep is either not interrupted or the number of interruptions is visibly reduced. Important: Children do not need to sleep under the weighted blanket all night. About 20 minutes. are enough.

The positive effect of a weighted blanket is not only shown by improved sleep quality. The deep pressure exerted by the weighted blanket increases the release of the so-called happiness hormone, serotonin, which is often particularly low or even absent in people with psychomotor disorders. Serotonin makes an important contribution to the functioning of the human organism throughout the next day.

When concentration noticeably decreases, inner restlessness grows, and everything becomes too much, a weighted blanket can help. A weighted blanket is perfect for a short relaxation, whether it's a break between lessons, reading books in the evening, a short meditation, etc. This precious quiet phase spent under the weighted blanket is enough to feel comfortable in your own body again, concentrate better, and handle the challenges that each day brings more easily.

weighted blanket in the sensory therapy

Weighted blankets and other weighted products (such as weighted vests or weighted collars) are successfully used in occupational therapies for people with sensory integration disorders. The deep pressure applied to the muscles, tendons, and joints improves the interpretation and processing of sensory impulses by the central nervous system.

Because of their therapeutic properties, weighted blankets are also used in schools, workshops, and clinics worldwide. Many parents who have decided to purchase a weighted blanket report that the therapy shows immediate effects by improving the child's body awareness, calming them, and helping them concentrate better.

The weighted blanket is especially helpful in the following situations when a child, for example:

• cannot fall asleep
• cannot stand sitting still in one position until, for example, a school task is completed
• screams, becomes hyperactive and aggressive in public
• seeks tactile impressions, e.g., by intrusive touching of other people or objects, which are sometimes also destroyed
• is distracted or upset
• has problems solving several consecutive tasks

The same applies to teenagers and adults. Here too, a weighted blanket can provide calm.

TherapieDecke™ – noticeably better sleep quality

As the name “weighted blanket” suggests, the weight of the blanket plays a crucial role. For the therapy to be effective, the weight must be properly adjusted. Nothing should be left to chance, and every small detail is important. It matters how the blanket looks, its color and pattern, the quality of the filling materials, and very good workmanship.

The weighted blankets from TherapieDecke™ are not mass-produced. Each blanket is tailored to the individual needs of the customer and sewn to measure. Especially people with sensory integration disorders appreciate our weighted blankets, as they may perceive their surface, color, or even scent differently than less sensitive customers.

TherapieDecke™ – the appearance of the weighted blanket

Statistically, most people prefer light-colored bed linens because dark bedding can quickly feel oppressive. When choosing fabric, most people opt for materials that feel pleasant on the skin. Smooth and slippery fabrics come in second, while rough fabrics are generally not liked by most people. That's what the statistics say, but everyone has different preferences, so our range remains flexible and is tailored to customers' wishes, not just numbers.

The weighted blankets from TherapieDecke™ are a medical device, but that doesn't mean they have to look boring. We work exclusively with certified fabrics of the highest quality. Our blankets are breathable, hypoallergenic, and feel pleasant on the skin. We make sure the patterns are modern and fit any bedroom decor. For children's weighted blankets, we like to choose fairy tale motifs and current fairy tale heroes.

The fillings

Even if the filling is not visible, it is just as important as the material the weighted blanket is made of. The filling used by TherapieDecke™ consists of hypoallergenic, uniformly sized micro glass beads that are evenly distributed throughout the entire blanket. You can hand wash the weighted blanket (depending on the weight), machine wash it (make sure to check how much weight your drum can handle), or take it to the dry cleaners.

The manufacturing method of a weighted blanket

Before we can start sewing, we need the customer's weight and size. The weight of a sensory blanket is usually about 10% of the body weight, and for the length, we add about 20 cm to the body height. If you are working with a physio- or occupational therapist, ask which size and weight suit you best.

The manufacturing method used to sew our TherapieDecke™ weighted blankets originally comes from the USA. The blankets are characterized by their durability and beautiful design. 

First step towards calm

Sensory blankets are often a lifesaver for parents and their children. Teenagers and adults can also benefit from the therapeutic properties of the weighted blanket in crisis situations. The weight gives a feeling of security. You automatically calm down. The body relaxes, the thoughts stop racing, and the feeling of self-control is restored.

The calming effect of a weighted blanket doesn't take long to appear, and problems like aggression, anxiety, or overstimulation can be quickly resolved as if by magic. Additionally, the blanket helps with falling asleep. Sleep is noticeably calmer and often longer.

Weighted blankets are often recommended by therapists familiar with Sensory Integration therapies. The blankets are not a new product. They have already been tested many times, in various situations and on different people. So far, there have been no negative experiences; on the contrary, the quality of life for people with sensory integration disorders has been significantly improved. Sensory blankets are a safe and effective medical product that not only provides relief in crisis situations but can also be used preventively. It can be the first step towards calm and stability.