Omg. I'm Actually Sleeping

[Crow]

My T has a small weighted blanket I use sometimes during session when I get over activated. Something about the weight calms me right down and I feel safe. (Actually there's incredible science behind this)

I always have problems getting to sleep - takes hours. So I ordered a blanket and got it today. It's 25 lbs. Probably could have gone lighter but I wanted a bedspread size.

Anyway. ....I went to bed at 7. I just woke up (the cats wanted a snack) feeling more rested than I remember upon waking. My stomach and legs are sore as hell - like I just completed a hard work out - which tells me a lot about what happens when I'm asleep!

Anyway. Wanted to share in case this can help someone else. Headed back to sleep.

 

[Seagreen]

Oh I am glad you had a good nights sleep. Must try this too!

 

[Samantha_38]

I'm so glad to hear these work. We are having one made for our son. He's only 5, no PTSD but he has sensory integration problems, similar to autism except he's very social so he doesn't have autism. I can't wait for him to sleep, we have tried everything including strong strong medication that I don't like him on but he has to sleep. Maybe I will try one out too and see if I can sleep.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Anyone want mine? Pressure helps me, but it has to be direct pressure to the skin, like a doggie thunder jacket. I fight against the blanket in my sleep and wake up exhausted. So if anyone is looking for other options, try *really* tight clothing. LOL, not for public wear, but bedtime, around the house only.

 

[joeylittle]

@Samantha_38, a friend of mine with proprioception issues (sensory integration for sense of place and movement) benefits enormously from his weighted blanket. He also always has to make sure he's "cocooned" by the wall on one side and a wall of pillows on the other - otherwise he can't get the room to stop spinning when he's laying down. I hope the blanket does something for your son - makes me wonder if swaddling would help, except he's probably too old for it.

@Solara, I'm curious - do you just need to tightness on your torso or also on your limbs?

 

[Samantha_38]

@joeylittle WOW! It's so crazy you said that about swaddling. When he was a baby we had to swaddle him to get him to sleep longer than 20 minutes at a time. We literally swaddled him in a swaddle sack until there was no possible way he'd fit, and did blankets for as long as we could after that. He cocoons him self already, so I'm really hoping the weighted blanket will help. It's going to be so cool for him too, it's spider man fabric with glow in the dark webs. I'm excited for it!

 

[Chava]

yay for sleep! (not sure when I'll get some of that)...I do much better under several blankets, though haven't tried the weighted ones. I have also heard about this sort of thing being similar to swaddling. Soothes the nervous system, provides feelings of containment. Compression helps me on panic days...wrapping something tightly around my torso (plus squeezing my arms)...helps me chill out but also helps with physical pain sensations. Not sure I could handle a 25 pound blanket but I'm intrigued.

 

[ghotiff]

Thank you. I'm needing ideas to help me sleep at the moment.

 

[greenleaf]

What a great thing to know about, thank you! I definitely feel more secure when under several plump felines, maybe it's similar in a way. The contentment of the cats also seems helpful.

 

[Em C.]

@Hope123321 maybe this would help?