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What Are Weighted Sleep Mask Benefits I Should Know?
Looking for the right sleep mask? Why not try a weighted one? Read these weighted sleep mask benefits to help you decide.
It’s easy to take sleep for granted. But it's how well you do it that counts.
Sleep has much more to do with our quality of life than some give it credit for. It affects how we function while awake. And not just in the physical sense — it has a massive impact on our mental and emotional health, too.
And restful and restorative sleep, whether a nap or all night long, doesn’t come easy for many. According to Sleep Foundation, 32.5% of American adults sleep for less than 7 hours on average. Meanwhile, 10-30% suffer from insomnia(1).
That said, it comes as no surprise that there’s a plethora of sleep aid products out there. One that’s gained popularity in recent years is the weighted sleep mask.
This article lists the different weighted sleep mask benefits. So you can judge for yourself whether it's for you or not.
Weighted Sleep Mask Benefits
It differs from your average therapeutic sleep mask because it contains weights in the form of sand or glass beads. Like a typical eye mask, it's worn over the eyes and secured around the head.
To give you a clearer picture, here’s our version, the Manta WEIGHTED Sleep Mask. Its unique duo-strap design ensures the mask stays put and gives you calming pressure the whole night through.
And here are weighted sleep mask benefits, plus feedback from people who actually use one. What better way to know if weighted is the way to go?
Blocks Out Light for Better Sleep Quality
Let’s start with the most obvious. When choosing a pressure eye mask, make its light-blocking function a top consideration. And here’s why.
Exposure to light at night prevents your body from getting the deep sleep it needs. It also interferes with your circadian rhythms. These are 24-hour cycles that regulate your body functions. And one of these is the sleep-wake cycle.
Meanwhile, darkness tells your body that it's time to wind down. It also triggers the production of melatonin, the hormone that promotes sleep.
That’s why we designed Manta WEIGHTED Mask to provide 100% blackout. The weight comes from the head strap, which contains micro glass beads.
True blackout mask
“Great! I'm sensitive to light and am always looking for a better mask both for sleep at home and while traveling. This is the most comfortable mask I've found and also the most light proof. According to my fitness tracker when I wear this I get deeper and longer sleep. I also notice I fall asleep much faster. It's pricey but a great investment if you're sensitive like me." — Vita D.
May Calm with Deep Touch Pressure Therapy
Like a weighted blanket, it may ease stress and anxiety. This is through deep pressure stimulation (DPS). Applied Behavior Analysis says DPS is hugging, holding or squeezing. These actions calm the parasympathetic nervous system(2).
The pressure of a weighted sleep mask on your eyes and face could produce a calming effect. While more research is needed on this benefit, there is anecdotal evidence that supports it.
Another thing to consider is there shouldn’t be any direct pressure on your eyes. Again, there isn’t enough research to be conclusive. But the windows to your soul are pretty delicate. Direct pressure could impact their lubrication production. This could lead to dry eyes, according to Reviewed(3). Better safe than sorry, agree?
Manta WEIGHTED Sleep Mask comes with extra tapered eye cups that don't put direct pressure on your peepers. But they’re designed in such a way that you’ll still feel calming pressure around your eyes.
Why haven’t I found this sooner???
"So I was a bit of a skeptic when it came to finding out about this but I decided to pull the trigger and I’m glad I did. I do work that involves me going out of city and away from my bed so rest is kind of hard for me to come by. With the gentle pressure of the mask, it gave me enough relief so 30 minutes felt like 4 hours!" — Lawrence W.
We recommend using the eye cups when wearing the Manta WEIGHTED Mask.
Massages Pain Points for Migraine & Sinus Relief
Research shows that a weighted sleep mask may ease migraine and sinus pain through acupressure. This consists of pressing specific points in the body to restore balance and give pain relief. These two weighted sleep mask benefits matter because the pain from migraines and sinusitis can be debilitating.
Migraines and Sinusitis
According to Medical News Today, some migraine pressure points are in the cavities where the nose meets the eyebrows. The Chinese call these points Drilling Bamboo. Another is right smack in the center of the eyes, known as Yin Tang(4).
Manta WEIGHTED Mask is wider than our other masks to provide enough coverage. The evenly-distributed weight massages these pressure points. (This even weight distribution also makes it one of the best weighted side sleeper masks out there.) While it isn’t a cure, it helps soothe migraine pain.
Perfect for migraines
“I have chronic migraines and anxiety, so the weighted mask and I seemed like a match made in heaven. Fortunately (?) I had a migraine on the day my mask arrived, so I had the chance to try it out then. I LOVED the sensation of the tightness and weighted pressure - it didn't cure my migraine, but certainly helped enough to allow me to fall asleep. The past two nights I've slept with the weighted mask have been two of the deepest sleeps of my life and I've woken up feeling more refreshed than ever. Adjusting the eye cups takes some fine-tuning, but once I got them in a position I liked I was able to sleep on my side without any issue." — Chey
Another weighted sleep mask benefit is easing sinus pain. It also does so through acupressure. Healthline says pressure points for sinusitis also include Yin Tang and Drilling Bamboo(5).
You can use the head strap without the eye cups for gentle direct pressure on these points. This applies to both migraines and sinusitis. But make sure to keep it short and sweet. Applying direct pressure to your eyes for a long time may cause a temporary blurring of your vision. A short nap with the mask should give you some relief.
Some advice: don’t use a weighted eye mask all night long without eye cups. And get the go-signal for acupressure from your doctor first. Especially if you’re undergoing chronic migraine or sinusitis treatment.
Now that you know all the weighted sleep mask benefits, here’s when you should think twice before trying one out.
When is a Weighted Sleep Mask Not for You
It’s simple. Don’t use a weighted eye mask if you can’t deal with any type of weight on your face. Here’s a good rule of thumb to follow. Can’t tolerate sleeping with a typical eye mask? Then a weighted one will be way harder to get used to.
A weighted sleep mask is generally safe to wear. But steer clear if you have certain health conditions. These include if you’re about to or have undergone any form of eye surgery. And don’t use one if you have glaucoma because it could further damage your eyes’ optic nerves. Don’t use one if you have head injuries, either. Remember that when in doubt, ask your doctor.
And if you want to learn more about weighted sleep masks, read these articles:
Now that you’re armed with information, we hope you’ll consider giving a weighted sleep mask a shot. If you do, let us know how it goes by leaving a comment below.
Sources:
(1) “Sleep Statistics.” Sleep Foundation, www.sleepfoundation.org/how-sleep-works/sleep-facts-statistics. Accessed 09 November 2022.
(2) “What is Deep Pressure Stimulation?” Applied Behavior Analysis, www.appliedbehavioranalysisedu.org/what-is-deep-pressure-stimulation/. Accessed 09 November 2022.
(3) “Are Weighted Eye Masks Safe to Sleep With?” Reviewed, www.reviewed.com/sleep/features/weighted-eye-masks-may-not-great-sleeping. Accessed 11 November 2022.
(4) “Acupressure points for migraine relief: What to know.” Medical News Today, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/migraine-relief-pressure-points. Accessed 15 November 2022.
(5) “How to Use Pressure Points for Sinus Relief.” Healthline, www.healthline.com/health/pressure-points-for-sinus. Accessed 16 November 2022.
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.