Many people are probably familiar with weighted blankets—but what is a weighted vest? And who can benefit from one? Niklas Sundström, Product Specialist at Novista, explains the benefits and function of the weighted vest.
What is a weight vest?
– A weighted vest is a device that you can wear if you have trouble concentrating, feel anxious or worried, have trouble sitting still, or have a lot of thoughts and worries swirling around in your head. Novista’s fiber weighted vest was developed in consultation with psychiatrists and stress therapists and is classified as a medical aid.
What effects can be observed?
– The weighted vest wraps around the body much like a hug, with the pressure causing the muscles to relax and allowing you to experience greater body awareness. Many people feel a greater sense of calm in their bodies, as if they’re more grounded and find it easier to wind down. This creates the right conditions for focusing more easily and concentrating for longer periods on tasks such as work or schoolwork.
“The weighted vest wraps around the body like a hug”
Read more: Weight vests in the workplace
Who can benefit from a weighted vest?
– In general, I’d say anyone who’s dealing with stress, worry, or anxiety, or who’s often on edge and has trouble calming down. The weighted vests come in various sizes and are also available in versions specially designed for children. Novista’s fiber weighted vest is used successfully to address both mental and motor restlessness, as well as conditions such as autism, ADHD, mental health issues, and more—but it’s also used by people without underlying diagnoses as a tool to improve focus and concentration.
Isn’t it hard on the body to walk around wearing a weighted vest?
– It shouldn’t feel too heavy; it should feel more like a hug. On the inside of the vest is a strap that can be tightened to your liking, allowing you to adjust the sensation of weight and pressure. However, it shouldn’t be too loose, or you’ll lose that hugging sensation; instead, the effect is greater if you tighten it slightly so that the vest hugs your body.
Read more: Weight vests in school
When and where should you wear the vest?
– The idea isn’t to put on the vest in the morning and take it off in the evening. We recommend wearing the weighted vest for a maximum of two hours at a time, but you can wear it several times throughout the day. When to use it depends entirely on the individual’s needs—some people may need extra focus during particularly energy-intensive tasks, while others with greater needs may require it in stressful situations to avoid, for example, an anxiety attack. It varies greatly.
