Humans use blankets primarily to keep warm, especially during sleep when the body's ability to regulate temperature decreases.
The Science Behind Blankets and Warmth
The primary reason we use blankets is for warmth. Our bodies naturally lose heat to the surrounding environment, especially when the ambient temperature is lower than our body temperature. Blankets act as an insulator, trapping a layer of warm air close to the skin.
Here's a breakdown:
- Insulation: Blankets provide a barrier between your body and the cooler air.
- Heat Retention: They trap the heat your body generates, keeping you warmer.
- Comfort: The feeling of being wrapped in a blanket can be soothing and comforting, promoting relaxation.
Blankets and REM Sleep
According to provided information, during REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, our bodies lose the ability to regulate temperature effectively through shivering or sweating. This makes us more susceptible to getting cold.
In REM, our body loses the ability to maintain body temperature through the normal means of adjusting, sweating, or shivering. To keep warm, we need a barrier between us and the outside environment. Enter: blanket.
Therefore, blankets become even more crucial during sleep, particularly during the REM stage, to maintain a comfortable body temperature and prevent us from waking up feeling cold.
Other reasons to use blankets:
While warmth is the primary reason, there are secondary reasons humans use blankets:
- Security and Comfort: Blankets can provide a sense of security and comfort, reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation.
- Aesthetic Purposes: Blankets can be used as decorative items to enhance the look of a room.
- Privacy: Blankets can be used for privacy.
- Weight and Sensory Input: Weighted blankets, for example, are used for their therapeutic benefits, providing deep pressure stimulation that can help with anxiety, insomnia, and sensory processing disorders.
