Relax & Sleep Well With a Weighted Eye Mask for Anxiety That’s Gentle on the Eyes

A weighted eye mask for anxiety could be your perfect solution for relaxation and better sleep quality. Read this blog post to find out how and why.

Is this the umpteenth time anxiety has deprived you of restful zzzs? You’re one of many who deal with stressful days (and nights). And who can blame you? Just like the ups, life is full of downs as well. And this applies to work, finances and relationships.

What if we told you there was an effective way to combat these feelings before you hit the sack? A weighted eye mask for anxiety could be your ticket to deeper, more restful sleep.

You’re likely wondering, "What on earth is a weighted eye mask?" In a nutshell, it's a sleep mask eye typically packed with beads to give it weight.

A weighted eye mask has more to offer than your typical sleep mask. Its extra weight is soothing as it presses on your facial features and eyes. An effective one should evenly distribute its weight across your face and eye area. Otherwise, you won’t have a relaxing experience.

And while it may seem like a simple concept, there are weighted sleep mask benefits that’ll surprise you. And some of them are rooted in more complex ideas.  

We’ll talk about that and more in this blog post.

Table of Contents

• Deep Pressure Therapy: The Science Behind Weighted Eye Masks

• Pressure Point Therapy With Weighted Eye Masks

• How a Weighted Eye Mask Helps With Anxiety and Stress

• The Best Weighted Eye Mask for Anxiety

• When to Use a Weighted Sleep Mask for Relaxation and Sleep

• Conclusion

Deep Pressure Therapy: The Science Behind Weighted Eye Masks

A weighted eye mask was developed around an established therapeutic technique called Deep Pressure Therapy (a.k.a Deep Pressure Stimulation). The mask’s extra weight gives a comforting sensation similar to a gentle hug. This, in turn, helps relieve stress and anxiety.

Applied Behavior Analysis says Deep Pressure Stimulation is applying a firm but gentle pressure through squeezing, hugging or holding. This pressure is delivered through hands-on touch, massage gadgets, or wearable items like blankets⁽¹⁾. It treats people with anxiety, ADHD, autism and other similar disorders.

Deep pressure therapy (DPT) triggers a switch from your sympathetic nervous system to your parasympathetic one. The former manages your “fight and flight” response. The latter controls your ability to “rest and digest.” It kickstarts a domino effect within your body, giving you an overall feeling of calm.  

A weighted eye mask applies pressure on your face and eye area. In the context of a weighted eye mask, the mask applies this gentle pressure to your face and eye area. As we've mentioned, this can stimulate the production of mood-regulating hormones and reduce stress levels.

Pressure Point Therapy With Weighted Eye Masks

First, let’s define pressure point therapy or acupressure. It’s an ancient massage technique and a cornerstone of traditional Chinese medicine. Acupressure’s goal is to encourage the circulation of qi (or “life energy” along the 14 pathways (or “meridians”) in your body.

One theory is that acupressure triggers the release of endorphins, hormones that ease pain, lower stress and put you in a better mood. In the context of a weighted eye mask, it delivers pressure to specific points on the face and eye areas to lower stress and anxiety.

One key point is called the Hall of Impressions. It sits right between your eyebrows. Applying pressure to this point eases anxiety and stress.

Other pressure points help ease conditions aside from promoting a sense of calm. Healthline lists these pressure points as follows:

• Zan Zhu – This pressure point is next to the nose in the inner eye area. Massaging also helps ease symptoms of dry eyes, headaches and allergies.

• Si Zhu Kong – It’s a pressure point found at either end of your eyebrows. When massaged, it eases pain from migraines and headaches apart from relieving tension.

• Cheng Qi – This point is located right under and center of each eye. Massaging this point helps ease conjunctivitis, swelling, itching, twitching and redness of the eyes.

• Yang Bai – This is located to the left of the middle of your forehead on top of your eye. Pressure applied to this area also helps with headaches and eye twitches⁽²⁾.

How a Weighted Eye Mask Helps With Anxiety and Stress

You might be wondering how wearing something over your eyes can alleviate your anxiety. Sounds too good to be true, right? But hear us out. A weighted eye mask for anxiety helps in a couple of ways.

Keeping DPT in mind, a weighted eye mask relaxes by applying gentle pressure similar to a calming hug or squeeze. Meanwhile, in the context of acupressure, it works by massaging specific pressure points to relieve anxiety.

Also, while more research is needed in this area, weighted sleep masks may help decrease stress hormones like cortisol. And they may increase levels of serotonin and melatonin. Serotonin promotes relaxation and a feeling of happiness. Meanwhile, melatonin helps your body wind down for bed.

Benefits of Weighted Eye Masks for Anxiety, Sleep and More

Anxiety and stress can mess with your sleep quality. (Hello, insomnia.) Worrying and racing thoughts prevent you from drifting off and staying asleep.

• A weighted eye mask for anxiety relaxes and calms with its gentle pressure. This will help you drift off faster and stay asleep longer. Both of these are essential to good sleep quality.    

• Additionally, a sleep mask with weight can be a lifesaver when it comes to headaches or migraines. Anecdotal evidence suggests that applying gentle pressure on the eyes helps ease the pain associated with these ailments.

• Weighted eye masks may also help ease stress. Besides decreasing stress hormones and increasing ones that relax, the weight may also provide a grounding effect. This could help you focus and calm any racing thoughts.

• And last (but definitely not least), weighted eye masks that totally block out light offer sensory relief.

The Best Weighted Eye Mask for Anxiety

By now, you might be sold on trying a weighted eye mask for anxiety. The question now is, “What’s the best one?” To simplify matters, why not consider Manta WEIGHTED Sleep Mask? We’re not ashamed to say it's one of the best out there.

Manta WEIGHTED Sleep Mask

When to Use a Weighted Sleep Mask for Relaxation and Sleep

Ready to use your weighted eye mask for anxiety? Wait a minute. First, read these tips on when to use it for maximum relaxation:

• Wear it at bedtime: Manta WEIGHTED Sleep mask weighs approximately 0.68 lbs. It is safe to sleep in. But if you aren’t accustomed to sleeping with weight on your face, make it part of your pre-bedtime routine. Then, remove it before settling down.

• Wear the mask for napping anywhere you go. The great thing about a weighted sleep mask is it’s portable. Use it at work or while traveling to reduce anxiety and get deep and restful sleep anytime you need it.

• Meditate with your weighted eye mask – If you meditate, the pressure of a weighted sleep mask can help ground you. It’ll help keep your mind focused and enhance your meditation sesh.

Conclusion

A weighted eye mask for anxiety is a simple and effective way to grab the relaxation and restful zzzs you deserve. In summary, here’s what it has to offer with its gentle pressure:

• Better sleep quality by helping you fall asleep faster and stay in Dreamland longer  

• May provide pain relief from headaches and migraines. Both of these can prevent you from getting good sleep

• May relieve stress by increasing serotonin and melatonin to help you relax and wind down for bed

• May help ground you when you have racing thoughts or need to keep focused during meditation

• Block out all light for seriously deep and restful sleep

We’re dying to find out if a weighted eye mask for anxiety helps you get the relaxation and zzzs you need. Drop a comment below to let us and other readers know.

Sources:  

(1) “What is Deep Pressure Stimulation?” Applied Behavior Analysis, www.appliedbehavioranalysisedu.org/what-is-deep-pressure-stimulation/. Accessed 17 September 2023.

(2) “Where Are the Acupressure Points for the Eyes?” Healthline, www.healthline.com/health/acupressure-points-for-eyes. Accessed 17 September 2023Everything You Need to Know About the Benefits of Napping” Healthline, www.healthline.com/health/how-long-should-i-nap. Accessed 08 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.