258. Struggling to Wind Down at Night? The Sensory Tool Already in Your House Might Help

Hey friend, 

Do you lie down exhausted every night but your body won't actually let go?

Have you accepted that "good sleep" just isn't something your body does anymore?

Is there a weighted blanket in your house right now that's only ever been used for your kid?

I'm Ashley, a mom living with chronic illness in a neurodiverse family. If you're dealing with constant fatigue, brain fog, inflammation, and broken sleep while trying to keep up with your kids, you're not alone. This podcast is for chronic illness moms raising neurodivergent kids who want stress relief, better sleep, and simple, realistic habits to finally feel better in their bodies. Each episode shares nervous-system-friendly support to help you calm overwhelm, boost energy, and practice healthy habits that improve your symptoms, even in the middle of a full, demanding life.

In this episode, I'm sharing why the weighted blanket you may have already bought for your kid's sensory needs might be exactly what your own nervous system has been missing at night. We talk about deep pressure stimulation, the cortisol-and-melatonin chemistry shift it triggers, and a real randomized controlled trial in adults with insomnia, plus an honest look at where the kid-specific evidence is still thinner.

Part 3: Resources and Links Mentioned

• 1:1 chronic health coaching: https://ashleybraden.com/coaching

• Join the free Chronic Health Moms Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/chronichealthmoms

• Natural products to support your stress and sleep: ashleybraden.com/shop

Related Episodes:

244. The Diagnosis Trap: Why Chasing Answers Is Keeping You From Feeling Better

235. Wondering Why You Can’t Feel Better? The Unnamed Grief Behind Chronic Exhaustion for Special Needs Moms

Connect with Me:

• Contact → hello@ashleybraden.com
• Facebook Page → https://www.facebook.com/chronicillnessmoms
• Facebook Group → https://www.facebook.com/groups/chronichealthmoms
• Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/chronicillnessmoms
• YouTube → https://bit.ly/chronicillnessyoutube

Next Steps:

• Tonight, if there's a weighted blanket already in your house, try it yourself for one night and notice what your body does.

• Join a supportive community of moms navigating mom burnout and new routines in the free Facebook group, Stress, Sleep, and Chronic Symptom Support for Moms of Neurodivergent Kids

• Get more personalized support with a Feel Better Coaching call at ashleybraden.com/coaching