Weighted Blankets To Empower Your Teen
Here are some simple ways to support your teen's sleep and mental health, starting with a weighted blanket. Read on to learn how a few easy adjustments to your household's routine can empower your teen to live a healthier life.
Bearassentials
Teen anxiety and depression may present differently than adult anxiety and depression.
Deep touch pressure is a simple and natural way for your teen to tackle their anxiety
What works for adults and littles may not work for teens — we all need different things!
Did you know?
Teens are biologically more alert in the evenings! Their natural bedtime is around 10:45 and their body will remain in sleep mode until about 8:00 in the morning.
Many individuals experience anxiety at some point in their lives, but it doesn’t always look the same for each person. If you or a teenager you know is stressed out, depressed, or anxious, we’re here to tell you that there are simple steps you can take to tackle mental health. Need a hug? We’ve got you.
Today's Teens Are More Stressed Than Ever
Between homework, extracurricular activities, changing hormones, and social media pressures, anxiety amongst teens is at an all-time high. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, roughly 13.3% of all U.S. teens had at least one major depressive episode in 2017.
What does that mean? Our teens are STRESSED.
Stress and anxiety can look different according to your stage of life. An anxious child may show different symptoms than an anxious adult. Even anxiety in teens can present differently from adult anxiety. Some symptoms of teen anxiety may look like dieting excessively, irritability or lashing out, avoiding social activities, or engaging in destructive behaviors.
The good news is that there are simple adjustments you can make to bring peace into your world and give your teen (and you) a chance to unwind. So grab a warm cup of tea and read on!
Weighted Blankets to the Rescue
Tackling your teen’s mental health is an ongoing process — and that’s okay! Every person is different, and every teen is different too. Talk with your teenager about making these small adjustments to their daily schedule. When you let them choose how to support their health, you empower them to take care of themselves in the future.
Sprinkle your home with filler-free weighted blankets
The wonderful thing about weighted blankets is that they are soft, comforting, and dare we say…cool? Bearaby’s Cotton Napper is made with organic cotton and knitted without any chemicals, pesticides, or synthetics. Plus, we make them in a range of neutral and trendy colors that are Instagram-worthy.
What's more, each weighted blanket is designed to help your teen get a deeper and more restful sleep, which is essential for growth, improved mental health, and hormone balance. Even when your teen wraps themselves up while doing homework, the weight on their body will stimulate the production of serotonin while lowering cortisol.
We recommend putting one in your teen’s bedroom, the living room, the movie room — even the kitchen! (Don’t worry, learning how to wash a weighted blanket is fast and easy.)
Establish a sleep schedule
We know how tempting it is to stay up late and watch “one more episode" or hang out a little longer with friends, but the truth of the matter is that we all need sleep…and lots of it. Have your teen choose a bedtime and a wake-up time that works with their school schedule while still giving plenty of time to catch those Zzz’s. Share with your teen the benefits of getting enough sleep and how a weighted blanket can help them feel better during the day.
Cut out (some) caffeine
Sometimes the only thing that gets us out of bed in the morning is the promise of that first sip of coffee. If this is true for your teen, then it might be time to cut out the caffeine — or at least some of it. Research shows that while moderate amounts of caffeine may be associated with fewer cognitive failures and a lowered risk of suicide, too much caffeine can increase anxiety.
Instead of that morning cup of joe, have your teen set an alarm to their favorite band or shower with orange-infused soap. You can also try going on a walk or starting a morning running club together.
Whatever you choose to do, remember to be patient with your teen and with yourself. Reach out for support from your loved ones and don’t be afraid to ask for a hug when you need one!
