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Experience the Bliss of Using a Pressure Eye Mask
A pressure eye mask is effective at easing anxiety and stress while improving sleep quality. Read this to find out how it helps and its benefits.
Tired of tossing and turning night after night? Are racing thoughts preventing you from drifting off? Is relaxation nothing but a dream? Well, good news. You’re about to discover a way to chill and get better zzzs!
The eye pressure mask has emerged as a game-changing accessory in the sleep and wellness industry. And it should come as no surprise with its ingenious design. The mask exerts gentle pressure on the eyes, easing tension, promoting relaxation and boosting sleep quality. (And that’s just the tip of the iceberg!)
Also known as a weighted sleep mask, it’s recommended by sleep experts. And it’s become a common staple in many homes, especially for those who are all for trying new things to enhance their sleep and wellness.
This article is your chance to take a deep dive into the world of pressure eye masks. There’s way more to them than what we mentioned earlier. Ready?
Table of Contents
What is a pressure eye mask?
A pressure sleep mask is like a regular one, except it’s packed with materials like microbeads for weight. One of its functions is to apply therapeutic pressure on your eyes, which is soothing and gentle. Like any other sleep mask, it exists to block out light so you drift off faster and stay asleep longer.
It’s versatile, and it works! More than a sleep aid, it also relieves stress and eases headache pain. It’s a complementary treatment for insomnia, chronic headaches, or stress and anxiety.
A good pressure eye mask should have evenly distributed weight. This is founded on a type of therapy called Deep Pressure Stimulation (DPS). It's a technique that has many benefits, including relaxation and improved sleep quality.
We’ll talk about it more in the next section. So, keep reading.
The Science Behind Pressure Eye Masks
Pressure eye masks use DPS, also known as Deep Touch Pressure (DTP) therapy. This involves applying gentle pressure to the body, which has a calming and relaxing effect. It relies on the power of touch, like hugging, squeezing and even swaddling.
The weight of a pressure eye mask may stimulate the production of the happy hormone, serotonin. Not to mention melatonin, the sleep hormone. And that’s not all! It also represses the production of stress hormones like cortisol. Yep. It works double duty to relieve your stress and tension.
A pressure eye mask also uses acupressure to gently massage pressure points around your face and eye area. Apart from helping you relax, massaging these points can ease pain from migraines and tension headaches.
Finally, a pressure eye mask keeps the light out. In case you didn’t know it, the tiniest pinprick of light can mess with your sleep quality. Your sleep environment needs complete darkness to send your body cues that it's time for bed. Light pretty much tells it to be awake.
Now let’s move on to the advantages of wearing a pressure eye mask.
Benefits of Using a Pressure Eye Mask
Okay, so we've explored the science. Now it's time to move on to the benefits. (There’s a quite a few of them, BTW.)
Better Sleep Quality
A key advantage of using a weighted sleep mask is that it boosts sleep quality. As we discussed earlier, the pressure on your face and eyes calms and relaxes. This is the ideal state to be in if you want to fall asleep right away.
On top of that, its light-blocking function is essential to good sleep quality. Darkness also helps you drift off fast and reduces frequent awakenings throughout the night. Remember that light is a sleep disruptor.
Stress and Anxiety Relief
Using DPS, a pressure eye mask makes your body switch from a fight or flight response to one of rest and digest. Applied Behavior Analysis says that this slows heart rate, relaxes muscles and helps your blood circulate better(1).
Using a compression eye mask helps calm your nervous system. This, in turn, reduces stress and anxiety. It’s the perfect tool for your well-being when you’re tense and anxious.
Relief from Headaches and Migraines
Pressure eye masks can be a source of relief when you have tension headaches and migraines. They massage pressure points to ease muscle tension, which is often a root cause.
Sinus Pressure Relief
A weighted eye mask massages your sinus area, relieving pressure and helping the mucus drain.
If you’re looking for the best sleep mask with beads for easing sinus symptoms, ty a cooling eye mask to numb the pain. Meanwhile, a weighted steam eye mask may reduce inflammation and congestion. Either are considered one of the best sleep mask with beads for easing sinusitis symptoms.
How a Therapeutic Pressure Eye Mask Promotes Relaxation
Life can get hectic. It’s an inescapable fact for many. Sometimes, it can leave you feeling overwhelmed. And when you are, switching off at the end of the day can be a struggle.
And this is where a therapeutic eye mask with weight can work its magic. The gentle pressure will help you relax and the light-blocking feature provides sensory relief.
Picture this. You’ve had a long day and finally, you’re home. But your mind is still on overdrive and you can’t seem to sleep. You slip on your pressure eye mask and are transported to a blissful state of calm. And moments later, you’re in Dreamland.
A weighted therapeutic eye mask isn’t just about instant gratification. Getting good quality sleep and stress relief consistently can have a positive impact on your mental and physical health in the long run.
Use a Deep Pressure Eye Mask for Better Sleep
Are deep and restful zzzs elusive? Then a deep-pressure eye mask will help you catch them. We’ve already discussed how they use DPS to promote relaxation and sleep. So, what’s left is the best way to use them for optimal results.
Begin by incorporating the use of the mask into your bedtime routine. Slip on your mask about half an hour before bedtime to help you wind down. We recommend engaging in calming activities like listening to sleep-inducing sounds or meditating with your mask on. The idea is to create an environment that cues your body to go to sleep.
Consistency is essential when it comes to any bedtime routine. Wear your mask around the same time to help enforce your routine. Eventually, your body will start to associate the sensation of wearing the mask with sleep. This will make it even easier for you to drift off.
Pressure Eye Masks for Effective Stress Relief
You already know that gentle pressure from a weighted sleep mask can stimulate the production of serotonin and melatonin. On top of that, it can reduce the production of cortisol. This helps you manage stress better because it promotes a sense of calm and well-being.
A pressure eye mask isn’t just for sleeping at night. Why not try slipping yours on when you’re feeling overwhelmed? Take a 20-minute nap with your mask and let it soothe you while you grab a restorative snooze.
You’ll wake up feeling refreshed yet relaxed — raring to take on the rest of the day!
Tackle Tension Headaches and Sinus Pain with a Pressure Eye Mask
If you're one of many who struggle with tension headaches, consider a weighted sleep mask. Depending on the construction of the mask, it applies an evenly distributed weight to muscles around the eyes, forehead, and temples. This will help ease tension.
Next time a tension headache strikes, head to a quiet, dark room and then slip on your sleep mask. Take a well-deserved break. You may just find your headache disappearing faster than usual.
When it comes to sinus pain, a pressure eye mask helps by massaging your sinuses. It applies pressure on key points around your nose, cheeks, eyes and eyebrows. This helps ease sinus pressure and congestion.
Combat Migraines with the Right Eye Mask
This type of headache isn’t just a pain. It can be downright debilitating. The good news is a weighted eye mask for migraines may help. As it does with tension headaches, the mask’s pressure can help relieve pain by massaging pressure points associated with migraines.
And that’s not all. If you suffer from migraines, then you know too well how light can make them much worse. A pressure eye mask with a superior light-blocking feature can help you manage your symptoms better.
Why Consider Manta Sleep’s Pressure Eye Mask
So, now you’re clued in on the science, benefits and how to use a pressure eye mask. It's time to give one a spin. Introducing Manta WEIGHTED Sleep Mask.
We’re not ashamed to say it’s one of the best ones out there. We put a lot of time and effort into its design. This high-quality pressure eye mask won’t disappoint. It’s comfortable and fully adjustable with an evenly distributed weight. And hey, it really works!
Check out its features:
What can I say....
“Really. What can I say... from the moment I put this on, I immediately drift off. It is so comfortable and blocks out the light. Interestingly enough, it also helps me with any headaches or migraines. The pressure of the weight around the sinuses is so relieving. So double bonus! I always recommend this mask to troubled sleepers.” — Anonymous
This 100% blackout pressure eye mask is packed with glass microbeads. They are evenly distributed throughout the head strap. Stitching keeps them firmly in place for consistent pressure no matter your sleep position.
The mask comes with a set of extra tapered eye cups — perfect for side sleeping. They’re adjustable for a custom fit. Position them anywhere within the strap’s interior. Each has an indentation to keep direct weight off your eyelids. But the unique design allows the gentle pressure to reach the points around your eyes.
The mask’s duo-strap design means it won’t budge no matter how many times you switch sides as you sleep. The infinitely adjustable bands secure around your head with micro hook and loop closures. Position the mask over or on your ears, according to your preference.
As a note, this pressure eye mask comes with a laundry/storage case. While the eye cups are 100% machine washable, the strap is handwashed cold only.
Manta WEIGHTED Sleep Mask has you covered whether you want deep and restful sleep, relaxation, stress relief, or better headache management.
Conclusion: Transform Your Sleep with a Pressure Eye Mask
In a nutshell, a pressure eye mask is a versatile sleep accessory that’s useful for many things. It’ll help you get quality sleep for stress management, get headache and sinus relief and give you the real relaxation you deserve. It's a simple, effective and safe way to enhance your health and well-being.
So, are you ready to give one a try? If and when you do, we’d love to hear about your experience. Drop a comment below. It’d be a big help to other readers, too.
Sources:
(1) “What is Deep Pressure Stimulation?” Applied Behavior Analysis, www.appliedbehavioranalysisedu.org/what-is-deep-pressure-stimulation/. Accessed 17 September 2023.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this website or provided through our blog, e-mails, or programs is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment that can be provided by your healthcare professionals.