Neuropsychologist Jolanda Snel on Weighted Blankets
Psychologist Jolanda Snel has written a nice article in the Brabants Dagblad. We gladly share this; it is written from a different perspective than ours and we think it can be valuable information for people who want to know more about weighted blankets. Enjoy reading.
Do you feel restless, overstimulated, or experience a lot of stress? A weighted blanket can provide relief. Psychologist Jolanda Snel often prescribes them in her practice.
Heavy blanket for a light head: this is how you relax
In the practice of neuropsychologist Jolanda Snel, people who suffer from too many stimuli regularly come. She likes to prescribe a weighted blanket because it provides 'deep pressure stimulation' that makes you feel like a swaddled baby: secure and safe. The happiness and sleep hormones are stimulated, and the stress hormone decreases.
Quick: "In elderly care, you see that people with dementia, whose sensory processing is sometimes confused, seek out stimuli themselves. They tense their muscles so that pressure is created, but the result is that they lie tense in bed and cannot sleep well. A weighted blanket provides balance. You see them relax when you put such a blanket over them."
Balance and motor skills
The main effect of a weighted blanket is calming. According to Snel, it can help people with stress, anxiety, or sleep disorders, developmental disorders such as ADHD, Asperger's syndrome, or autism. Snel speaks of 'neurodiversity' and specialized in the functioning of brains that work differently than average. "You sometimes see small children or people with autism lying on the floor or leaning against something hard. They are seeking deep pressure to calm down."
Jolanda Snel under her weighted blanket. © Photo: Erik van 't Woud
A weighted blanket literally helps you feel better in your skin. This has to do with the proprioception sense, explains Snel. "It ensures that you are aware of where your body is positioned and it regulates the strength and pressure of the body. The sense is important for your balance and motor skills." When this is confused, you feel like the drunkard who can no longer touch his nose.
Plastic balls
For the mass in a weighted blanket, microbeads of plastic or glass are used, which provide the weight. You can grab a weighted blanket at any time of the day. Quickly: "Suppose you come home from work, your head is completely full and you want to relax for a bit, then you can use it on the couch. It can also be, and many people will recognize this, that you lie down in bed in the evening, turn off the light, and your mind starts racing."
In principle, you can use the blanket both lying down and sitting, but the effect of stimulation works better in a lying position. "If you lie on your back, with your head tilted back, your balance system calms down."
10 percent of your own weight
Cherry pits, plastic pellets, glass sand, glass or plastic beads are used to fill a weighted blanket. Around this is a layer of polyester or cotton and around that a fabric cover. It is important that the weighted blanket fits well with your body length and weight. The blanket weighs between 2 and 15 kilograms. As a rule of thumb, the blanket should be about 10 percent of your own body weight.
You can place the weighted blanket on top of your regular duvet, but for optimal results, it is better to use the weighted blanket alone. There are also double weighted blankets. Quickly: "Due to the even distribution of the weight, the size of the blanket does not matter. It is especially important that the blanket fully covers you, does not hang over your bed, and that you are able to crawl out from under it if it becomes uncomfortable."
Ella Sleeps
Ella Sleeps has been developing sustainable products for better physical well-being since 2018. Through continuous product development, we offer our customers sitting and lying comfort at a competitive price. Below, see the weighted blankets developed by Ella Sleeps.
Still in doubt? You may use the blanket 30 days without obligation. If it’s not for you, you can always return the blanket. Our experience shows that this rarely happens.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What does psychologist Jolanda Snel say about weighted blankets?
According to neuropsychologist Jolanda Snel, weighted blankets help people with stress, overstimulation, sleep disorders, or neurodiversity such as ADHD and autism. The deep pressure provides relaxation and a sense of security.
How does a weighted blanket work according to psychology?
A weighted blanket activates the proprioceptive sense, which helps with body awareness, balance, and motor skills. This lowers stress hormones and promotes the production of happiness hormones such as serotonin and melatonin.
Who are weighted blankets suitable for according to Jolanda Snel?
She recommends weighted blankets for children and adults with sensory processing issues, anxiety disorders, insomnia, autism, or people who overthink excessively and have trouble relaxing.
How heavy should a weighted blanket be?
Jolanda Snel confirms the general rule of thumb: choose a blanket that weighs about 10% of your body weight. This ensures effective but safe pressure distribution.
When is the best time to use a weighted blanket?
You can use a weighted blanket when you come home from work to relax, or in bed at night to unwind better. According to Snel, lying down has the strongest effect on relaxation and sleep quality.