As someone who’s spent years helping clients navigate anxiety, depression, and trauma while maintaining my own active lifestyle, I’ve discovered an unexpected ally in my therapeutic toolkit: the weighted vest.
When we layer 10-20% of our body weight across our torso during exercise, something remarkable happens. The deep pressure stimulation activates our parasympathetic nervous system—the same calming response we see with weighted blankets in therapy, but now mobilized during movement.
Grounding Through Gravity
For clients struggling with dissociation or anxiety, I often recommend weighted vest training. The consistent pressure creates what we call “proprioceptive awareness”—a stronger connection between mind and body. During a weighted walk or bodyweight exercises, that grounding sensation keeps you present in your physical form rather than lost in racing thoughts.
Regulated Intensity
The beauty lies in how weighted vests naturally regulate workout intensity. You can’t push beyond your body’s capacity when carrying extra load, which teaches anxious overachievers the art of sustainable effort. This physical lesson often translates into emotional regulation skills.
Confidence Through Challenge
There’s profound psychological benefit in literally carrying more weight and discovering you’re stronger than you believed. When a client removes their 20-pound vest after a session, they experience an immediate sense of lightness and capability that extends far beyond the gym.
The weighted vest becomes a bridge between physical strength and emotional resilience—proving that sometimes the best therapy happens when we add a little more weight to carry, not take it away.
Remember to start with 5-10% of your body weight and consult healthcare providers if you have any joint or cardiovascular concerns.
Try this vest out during your next workout!
Salt + Cedar Collective 