I didn’t use to consider myself as someone anxious. Yet, I’ve been diagnosed with it, given medication, and even once had to spend three weeks wearing a heart monitor because of anxiety-induced heart palpitations. I know I’m far from alone, even if my anxiety is frequently associated with all the travel I do for work. Nearly 1 in 5 adults suffer from anxiety, and while the condition is very treatable, less than half of those adults are actually getting treatment. A major component of my treatment at home involved getting a weighted blanket. Once I discovered the wonders of it there, I contemplated taking it on the road with me, but the results were mixed.
How Can A Weighted Blanket Hep You When Travelling?
How do weighted blankets wind up calming anxiety? It might have a lot to do with better sleep. They were originally known for helping kids with autism, but research has shown they help adults too, especially suffering from anxiety. For me, many of the pros of a weighted blanket make it much easier to sleep in unfamiliar places like hotel rooms far from home.
When I’m under my weighted blanket, I don’t fidget or move as much. My blanket is big enough to cover my whole body. It’s like multiple duvets all compressed into a single blanket, but without the heat. I’m not pinned down entirely, but I have to be deliberate about my movements.
When I cover myself with it, it’s a way of being grounded. My anxiety just starts melting away. I get to sleep a lot faster. I sleep a lot better. I also sleep for longer. All in all, it’s a great night’s rest when I need it the most.
The Negatives Of Travelling With a Weighted blanket
Having said all this, there are downsides to traveling with it. First of all, it’s so addicting that it’s rather hard to motivate myself to get out of bed in the morning, especially if my hotel room is cold. That’s a huge risk when my travel is so tight on schedule and I’ve to check out of rooms by a certain hour anyway.
It’s also hard to move around. It’s heavy, and even somewhat bulky. Lugging one around the home is cumbersome enough. Getting it into my luggage can be quite an ordeal. It takes up space in the trunk of my rental car, and it sometimes costs me luggage fees when I fly.
Also, these things weren’t really designed for travel. They’re expensive, and while I believe they’re well worth the cost for what they do, it’s a high price tag for an item that could easily get lost or damaged when you’re out on the road.
On top of all that, if you travel with pets or anyone with small kids, you have to watch the blanket all the time. Toddlers, infants, cats, and small dogs can all get trapped underneath it and suffocate from being unable to move to freedom. That’s not really an issue on my professional travel, but it could be on a family vacation or trip with friends.