Physical Weight On Chest Is Comforting...?

[Iyllsa]

Last night I was having it kind of rough. I was crying and shaky. I felt like something was dangling on to my chest and lungs and it was uncomfortable. I forced myself to watch a funny while also calming video as I found that it helped the last night.

I then forced myself to get in bed with comfortable clothes and blankets and try to sleep. I have a retired service dog and, although I never taught this to him, he came over to sleep with me and rested his head on my chest.

I never taught this to him because I would think having any weight or pressure would make my anxiety worse.. but instead it felt surprisingly relaxing and comforting. He was laying next to me and slightly curled so his back foot and tail were on my legs and his front paw and head was on my chest. I would think I'd feel constricted but instead it felt really really nice.. I remember being on the verge of falling asleep thinking, "Who would have thought.. he may be a dog but this is so comforting.. I should tell my therapist about this.."

What's funny though is that my dream was about me being in some hospital/camp where there are patients trying to over come and/or handle their OCD haha.

Correction. Any weight or pressure on my chest specifically. He's been taught to put weight on my legs, knees, and basically everywhere else for my physical pains and grounding reasons.

 

[Deadman]

I've heard that pressure on the chest works for other things too. There is a thing called a 'Thundershirt' that is supposed to help dogs with anxiety. I think I read something about it helping some autistic kids with anxiety. Maybe it helps you in the same way.

 

[Iyllsa]

I've heard that pressure on the chest works for other things too. There is a thing called a 'Thundershi...

I didn't know people with autism feel the same way. I will look into it more. Thank you for pointing that out to me. :)

 

[GwenDR]

They have weighted blankets for just this reason. I have autism, and I'll use as many blankets as the temperature allows me, because I like being under heavy blankets.

 

[Iyllsa]

They have weighted blankets for just this reason. I have autism, and I'll use as many blankets as...

I didn't know there were such a thing as weighted blankets though it does sound a bit familiar..

I can't think of any reason why it would help me other than that it's just a thing my body likes. I do have an auditory processing disorder, but not a sensory one. Either way, I'm pretty interested at how it helps me and would like to test it out again to see if it really helps.

I will look into those weighted blankets, thanks for mentioning them!



Unless it could be because of my anxiety. I do use DPT(Deep Pressure Therapy) as a technique on my legs anyways. I guess I'm too tired to connect the dots. I also have terrible memory so it's possible I discovered this in the past and have forgotten.

 

[GwenDR]

I've never used a single weighted blanket, but want to try. Don't know why it's comfy having something heavy on my chest but it is. Hope it helps, though.

My memory isn't great, either.

 

[ms spock]

Look into weighted blankets @Iyllsa. I have a queen sized one. It really helps me. I couldn't use it during our heat waves though. So for quite awhile it has been on the backburner.

Like @Gwen D Renee I use a weighted blanket for sleeping. You can get lap blankets and also toys as well.

I also use it for Mindfulness sometimes as well.

I also get wrapped up tightly in a cocoon in a sheet, and that really helps me calm down, combined with my Mindfulness practices - those are guided meditations. I find I can ground with all that. I discovered that being wrapped up in a cocoon really assists me.