Do you feel an unpleasant sensation in your legs when you lie in bed at night and a strong urge to shake them to relieve yourself?

If so, then you may be dealing with something called Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), also known as Willis-Ekbom disease. RLS is a common neurological disorder that is thought to affect between 5% and 15% of the population in the United States and is known to be a significant barrier to good sleep.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for Restless Legs Syndrome, but many people who experience these symptoms turn to a natural solution to ease their symptoms: gravity blankets .

Gravity blankets harness the power of Deep Tactile Pressure - a scientifically proven stress relief treatment - to relax the nervous system, rest the body, and promote deep and restorative sleep.

This constant pressure that gravity blankets exert on the legs has also been shown to be beneficial for those suffering from Restless Legs Syndrome, as it relieves them from the strange feeling of pain in their legs and helps them not to wake up during the night.

Below, we will take a closer look at Restless Legs Syndrome and how gravity blankets can provide a solution to this unpleasant symptom, helping the sufferer cope with it and sleep better at night.

What is Restless Legs Syndrome?

Restless Legs Syndrome is a neurological disorder that affects the muscles of the legs, especially the muscles of the legs. Those who suffer from it feel like their legs are being "shocked" by an electric current when they lie down, especially when they are relaxed and just before going to sleep. They essentially experience a hyperactivity of the legs, which they cannot stop, since this movement makes them feel better.

Restless Legs Syndrome mainly affects the lower extremities, but can also affect the arms, trunk and (in rare cases) the head. The symptoms of Restless Legs Syndrome often get worse at night, preventing the person from enjoying quality nights of sleep with several consequences during the day: reduced productivity due to fatigue, a tendency to drowsiness and problems concentrating.

What causes Restless Legs Syndrome?

While the exact cause of Restless Legs Syndrome is still unknown, some scientists believe it may be related to how the brain uses dopamine, which is an important chemical messenger that helps control muscle activity and movement.

Dopamine levels naturally decline throughout the day, which is why symptoms of SAD are worse at night. Other possible causes of SAD include:

• heredity
• the pregnancy
• iron deficiency
• fibromyalgia
• chronic kidney disease

Additionally, although RLS can happen to anyone (even children), studies have shown that women are twice as likely to suffer from Restless Legs Syndrome than men.

How does a gravity blanket help treat Restless Legs Syndrome?

Restless Legs Syndrome symptoms can range from annoying to unbearable. If you have RLS, here are some ways a weighted blanket can improve your life:

1. It acts as a distraction

Another reason why your SBP may seem worse at night is because you're simply paying more attention to it. Gravity blankets apply gentle pressure to your body, which helps draw your attention away from the uncomfortable sensation in your legs.

2. Improves the quality and duration of sleep.

Let's face it, good sleep and Restless Legs Syndrome are two opposites and can hardly coexist. When your legs are restless, you feel the urge to get out of bed, stretch, or start pacing around the house, which will, as expected, interrupt your sleep at night.

While gravity blankets may not cure the symptoms of SAD, they have been scientifically proven to help improve sleep quality, and better sleeping conditions can potentially offset some of the effects of SAD at night. Gravity blankets help you fall asleep faster by relaxing the nervous system and increasing levels of serotonin, the “happiness” hormone, and helping your body produce melatonin (the sleep hormone).

3. Reduces anxiety and stress

Another way that gravity blankets can help is by reducing stress , a common symptom of Restless Legs Syndrome. Gravity blankets essentially trick the mind into thinking that the sensation when you are under one is like being in someone's arms.

The feeling of a hug due to its weight - and therefore the effect of this feeling on the body - is an excellent way to soothe your nervous system, since the hormones released in this way, such as oxytocin, serotonin and dopamine (hormones of relaxation, happiness and love), regulate cortisol levels in the body (the stress hormone) resulting in you feeling more peaceful and relaxed.

How to use a gravity blanket to relax your legs while sleeping?

There is no right or wrong way to use a weighted blanket for Restless Legs Syndrome. Many people with RLS choose to throw the blanket over their feet while reading a book or watching TV on the couch, while others find relief by sleeping with their blanket on all night. Try each method and find the one that works best for you.

Also keep in mind that there are 2 types of gravity blankets: the winter Gravity and the cold Gravity Ice , which is ideal for all seasons -except winter- or for those who easily overheat and sweat in their sleep.

Choose the one that weighs closest to 10% of your body weight and enjoy restful sleep without interruptions.

Other natural ways to deal with Restless Legs Syndrome

The biggest risk with OSA is that it can seriously disrupt your sleep cycles, which can then negatively affect many aspects of your life, such as your mental health.

The fact that there are no proven, universal treatments for SAD can be frustrating, however there are some simple solutions that have been shown to relieve symptoms, so let's take a closer look at some of them.

Change your habits.

Like many other health issues, modifying our daily habits can help ease chronic conditions. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy sleep pattern ( our blankets can definitely help with this), and cutting back on caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco can all prove very helpful.

Try yoga

The practice of yoga focuses on breathing and stretching the body, which can calm the nerves, relax the senses, and keep you in good physical shape at the same time. Incorporating yoga into your daily routine can help reduce the symptoms of Restless Legs Syndrome.

Use relaxation techniques

Breathing techniques and meditation before bed help combat stress and anxiety. Such relaxation techniques not only help eliminate the symptoms of sleep disorders like OSA, but also enhance your overall physical and mental well-being.

Add iron and magnesium to your diet

Iron deficiency can be one of the causes of SAD. Apples, honey, dates, and pomegranates are some natural and rich sources of iron. As a natural muscle relaxant, magnesium can also help treat SAD. Bananas, avocados, legumes, tofu, seeds, and fatty fish are packed with magnesium. Include nuts and greens like spinach, kale, broccoli, and peas in your diet, as they are rich in magnesium and iron.

Avoid consuming sugar and sodium before bed.

Consuming dairy products, caffeine, and foods high in sugar and sodium are a big "NO" before bed. They trigger and worsen the symptoms of Restless Legs Syndrome. So, think twice before you decide to order junk food before bed.

Upgrade your sleep with a gravity blanket

Gravity blankets are the most effective way to deal with insomnia and stress without medication, as they have been used for many decades to help people suffering from anxiety disorders, autism, and other sensory disorders.

How do they work?

They are designed to apply gentle, steady pressure to the entire body, which occupational therapists call “ Deep Tactile Pressure .” This steady pressure relaxes the nervous system and helps the body naturally increase levels of serotonin and melatonin (the hormones of happiness and sleep) while reducing levels of cortisol, which is responsible for stress.

As a result, the mind stops "racing", the heart rate drops, the mood improves and the body enters a state of complete relaxation.

Choose the one that weighs closest to 10% of your body weight and upgrade your sleep from the very first night!