C’est moi in my hammock with my weighted blanket on. Who would have thought that such a simple thing could have such an effect on my brain?
My occupational therapist recommended it for my sensory processing disorder, which usually goes with autism. In OT, they had me doing different kinds of swinging, among many other things. The body’s vestibular system comes into play with swinging. A huge, block of text article explains more. I promise no more links.
Hubby got the swing for me for my birthday, which was Earth Day, April 22nd, and I fell into it with abandon, and fell asleep. At other times, I swing and watch the patterns of the trees above me, and the gentle movement lulls me, as it would with anyone, but I feel fuzzy and disoriented afterward.
But that’s a good thing. It causes a difference in orientation in my body and my senses. If I am dealing with sensory overload, the hammock calms it down. It’s like taking a medicine that works faster than Tylenol.
Perhaps this is why I loved swinging at my Granny and Papa’s house. I would do this for a long time then wander off feeling full of feeling.
I am also on the spectrum, I find swinging and rocking to be very calming as well! I also LOVE my weighted blanket! It helps me calm down so much, and not only just calm down, it helps me stay calm and self regulate. I can use it before I feel completely overstimulated, or if I get completely overstimulated it works then too.
Thanks for sharing! Swinging is great therapy both for autistics and non-autistics. Something about the rhythm and soothing rocking must put people at ease, similar to how we feel when our parents rocked us when we were young.