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Author: Renée Ruisch

As if a switch is flipped

Written by Renée Ruisch on . Posted in column.

Can you imagine how valuable it is when someone with PTSD says that with his vest, he has a button to switch off stress? Not because the world suddenly falls silent. Not because memories disappear. But because his body finally no longer has to be in a state of heightened alert for a moment.

For people with PTSD, stress is not just in thoughts. It is also in the body. In tense shoulders, shallow breathing, a heart that beats faster, a nervous system that constantly scans for danger. Do you recognize that? That you actually want to relax, but your body just doesn’t seem to go along with it?

That is exactly where deep pressure can make a difference. On squease.nl, it is explained that deep pressure acts directly on the nervous system and helps the body relax. The Squease pressure vest provides even, adjustable pressure and can be used specifically for stress, panic, and anxiety. It sends the signal, as it were: you are safe, you may lower yourself, you don’t have to be constantly “on.” That is exactly what this customer described so aptly in an email he sent us: “with this vest, I have a button to switch off my stress.” What a powerful way to describe what regulation can do. Not a miracle cure, but certainly a tool that helps the body get out of alarm mode.

And perhaps that is precisely the question for many people with PTSD: how nice would it be if you didn’t constantly have to fight against everything you feel? If you noticed tension building up sooner and had something that provided immediate support? The Squease website also states that the vest can be used preventively, for example when tension starts to build up or when a stimulating environment threatens to become too much.

Concentrating during exam week

Written by Renée Ruisch on . Posted in Geen onderdeel van een categorie.

You know you have to study, but your brain just won’t cooperate? Exam week is coming up, your summaries are ready, but your gaze wanders to your phone, the bird outside or the wall opposite your desk. For many students, exam week is a real test, not only of knowledge, but especially of concentration. The amount of stimuli surrounding a teenager is enormous. Music, notifications, household noises, thoughts about friends, sports, social pressure… everything is fighting for attention. And if your brain can’t properly filter what’s important and what can wait, learning becomes almost impossible. It feels like there’s a traffic jam in your head and nothing is moving.

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Mylan

Written by Renée Ruisch on . Posted in Calm down, Concentration. No Comments on Mylan

‘Even the teachers notice immediately improvement in calmness and concentration’
“We as parents are absolutely flabbergasted HOW focused our sweet busy boy is when he puts on his vest.
It goes very well at school with his vest on, and even the teachers notice METEEN improvement in calmness and concentration.
We are SO happy we were able to purchase this for our sweet boy.

Pictured is Mylan with our beloved Monique, his physio.
And to my great surprise, he cuts!

Delano

Written by Renée Ruisch on . Posted in Feeling good, Stimulus processing. No Comments on Delano

“He feels safer and can process the stimuli a little better and faster.
“I really like the pressure vest!
We have a happy (grand)child who feels safer with the pressure vest and can process the stimuli a little better and faster. Delano likes wearing it, notices the difference well and he asks for it himself. The first time he had the pressure vest pumped up was a little bit of getting used to and quite a bit exciting. This is also in the clear manual that comes with the vest so that was already taken into account. At school, the teachers are also responding very positively. The first day Delano was at school with vest on, he played with another child in the construction corner for a while for the first time. In the months before, this had not been possible before because of the turmoil of all the stimuli.

Also handy to have a spare front end for when the front end needs a wash. It comes in fun colors and ships super fast!”

– Mama from Delano

Mom of Tamara

Written by Renée Ruisch on . Posted in Concentration, Feeling good, Stimulus processing. No Comments on Mom of Tamara

The cardigan was a good choice!
We use the pressure vest for our daughter who has autism. She really likes wearing the vest when she is feeling a little down. The vest is easy to adjust so that it fits perfectly and doesn’t slip. The pump is also easy to operate.

We are very happy that we can offer her some support with this pressure vest, which makes it easier for her to stay alert when necessary. A good choice!
– Mom of Tamara

Mama Claudette

Written by Renée Ruisch on . Posted in Body awareness, Calm down, Concentration, Feeling good, Stimulus processing. No Comments on Mama Claudette

‘It was the first day in a very long time that he really felt comfortable‘
“Our little son was always very busy and restless, and found it very difficult to concentrate. We found out after a lot of research that he has SPD (sensory processing disorder), which makes him easily overexcited.

When he is “full,” nothing else comes in, and he tries to get rid of that overflowing feeling by moving around a lot, as well as by seeking a lot of hugs. Moreover, we were regularly unable to reach him at all. Fortunately, our wonderful pediatric physical therapist advised us to give it a try with a pressure vest (he was also allowed to try one at her practice a few times and really liked it).

When the pressure vest was delivered, we immediately put it on him. The effect was almost immediate: he became completely calm, and you could see him relax!It was the first day in a very long time that he really felt at ease, and that he didn’t know what to do with himself because of overstimulation.

We are now a month along and the improvement appears to be permanent. When necessary, he wears his vest for about 20 minutes, and the effect continues to be felt for hours afterwards. His ability to concentrate is much better, he has much more self-confidence, and he is especially pleased himself that he no longer has to move his restlessness away all the time (though he remains a wonderfully active little fellow). He really feels comfortable with the deep pressure of the vest and is much better able to avoid overstimulation and, if it does happen, process it.

This cardigan comes highly recommended!”

– Mama Claudette