I've accidentally bought a weighted cover on Amazon and do not regret a thing

For most of my life, I could count on one hand the number of times I had slept all night. I usually woke up at least twice (if not three or four times) – a routine that other problematic sleepers know how to lead to serious consequences, such as increased stress and anxiety, weakened immune system and irritability. And this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Every time I wake up, it takes longer to go back to sleep. I may be lying in bed for 10 hours, but I spend more than half of my time juggling, spinning and watching my mate and dog while they sleep peacefully all night long. I have practically tried everything to stay in the land of dreams: I put melatonin and CBD before going to bed, use an eye mask to block the light and put ear plugs to block the sound of my cat's nocturnal yowling session. I even wasted money on expensive sleep sound machines, to no avail.

While all these products for a better sleep It helped me fall asleep faster, they did not necessarily help me stay asleep. For a moment, I resigned myself to a life of involuntary contemplation at 4 o'clock in the morning. Then, blue eyes and browsing the Internet at an impious hour one night, I accidentally ordered weighted coverage on Amazon. I say "accidentally" because, exhausted, I pressed the "Buy Now" button instead of the "Add to Cart" button. I realized my mistake when a very heavy package arrived at my door the next day.

Like a lot of restless sleepers, I had heard of heavy blankets to sleep better and I thought I'd have one for months, but the price to pay me stopped. same weighted covers on Amazon cost a nice penny, and the heavier they are, the more you will pay. Mine costs about $ 110and, although I planned to return it immediately, I decided to try it first – and thank God, I did.

The weight of the soft 15-pound blanket made me feel like a little baby cradled in my mother's arms. The first night, I snuggled under the blanket on my side and fell asleep quickly, which is unusual. To my surprise, I woke up eight hours later when I woke up – in the same sleeping position. The same thing happened the next night and the next, and suddenly, I became addicted. It seemed that my sleepless nights were a thing of the past. How was it possible?

According to clinical therapist Terry Cralle, weighted blankets work because of what is known as deep pressure stimulation, a form of tactile pressure that makes contact such as hugging, holding, swaddling and sweating. so attractive massages. This is also one of the reasons why weighted blankets have been used for years to treat children with autism spectrum disorders.

"The extra light pressure allows you to feel rooted and safe in your sleeping surface, relaxes your body and encourages sleep," said Cralle. "Some research has shown that deep pressure stimulation can reduce the" fight or flight "response of your body and increase the soothing parasympathetic excitement.The extra pressure can also reduce cortisol, the hormone of stress, and contribute to the production of serotonin, the soothing hormone. "

Cralle also cited a study in the Journal of Sleep Medicine and Sleep Disorders Insomnia sufferers have more sleep time and fewer movements all night when they slept with heavy blankets. My experience certainly coincides with Cralle's recommendation that those who are interested in trying a weighted blanket should find one that accounts for about 10% to 15% of their body weight.

Night after night, the weight of the blanket prevents my usually agitated body from struggling and waking me up. Now I sleep regularly all night and I am not tired or slow during the day. The added rest increases my productivity and my energy level so that I can go to the gym more often. I am also more open to social events and less inclined to resort to fast food because I am too tired to cook. I even found that my dreams were more intense and memorable, perhaps because I spent more time living them. It is something that deserves to be quiet.

GET THE COVER THAT CHANGED MY LIFE ON AMAZON, $ 110

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