How to get a good night's sleep when you are neurodivergent
Sleep and neurodiversity isn’t something that always go hand in hand. Whether you find it hard to get to sleep, hard to stay asleep or hard to wake up – sleep can be our kryptonite.
Whether you are autistic or have ADHD it can be hard to switch off and unwind before bed. So when Simba got in touch to ask us to try some products – we jumped at the chance! If you’ve heard of SIMBA – chances are it’s because of their award winning mattresses. They also sell tons of other products including the fab SIMBA Topper and SIMBA Weighted Blanket.
There are a number of things us neurodivergent folk can do to make sleep a bit easier, but if when you get to bed your bed isn’t comfy, you just aren’t going to be able to sleep.
Hotel vibes when you sleep
We tested the SIMBA Topper and couldn’t believe how comfy it was! Mattress toppers always feel like something you find in a hotel – but they are a great way of adding extra comfort to your bed. We tried the SIMBA hybrid topper. Apparently it has 2,500 ingenious Aerocoil® springs and a layer of open structured Simbatex® foam. It is also designed to offer extra airflow compared to a standard memory foam topper. What we also loved was that it has a removable, washable cover – which I hadn’t seen before with toppers.
How weighed blankets help neurodivergent people sleep
Next, we tried the SIMBA weighted blanket. As a neurodivergent family, when the children were younger my daughter had a weighted blanket which she loved. So knowing that SIMBA made one for adults is fantastic.
It’s worth knowing that you need to be careful with the weight of a weighted blanket. If you want to sleep with it, the advice is that it shouldn’t be more than 10% of your body weight. The SIMBA weighted blanket weighs 15lbs (6.8kg). So, this blanket is suitable for people about 10 stone and above to sleep with it. If you use it when you are awake to help relax you could be a little lighter.
Some people love the feeling of a weighted blanket when they are watching telly or reading – the pressure helps people to unwind and relax. I loved snuggling with it whilst watching Netflix – it’s a tough job but some people have to try these things! It’s perfect for use before bed if you don’t want to actually sleep with it. Like the SIMBA Topper, it also has a removal cover which is really useful. Weighted blankets can be hugely useful to autistic people who like the feel of a firm and comforting hug. It’s also great for ADHDers who just want to have a blanket to help with restless legs.
Top tips
As a family we’ve also been trying Magnesium spray which has huge benefits and helps to aid a good night’s sleep. Coupled with the SIMBA topper and the weighted blanket before bed, I have been waking feeling more refreshed and honestly having had a deeper sleep. Something that I didn’t know was possible a few months ago! What’s your top sleep tip?