Weighted blankets may seem a little intimidating at first, as they’re considerably heavier than any fluffy blanket than you may usually buy. Introduced at first by therapists to treat behavioural disorders, weighted blankets are now an extremely popular way to help us get a good night’s sleep.
No need to worry though, there is plenty of information out there to help you make your choice. Heavy they may be, but not so much that you’ll feel crushed under them, more that you’ll feel surrounded in a big, encompassing hug.
Most research suggests that you should choose a blanket that is around 10% of your body weight, but anywhere between 7-12% is generally a good fit. For example, if you weigh 140 pounds, a 14 pound blanket is best suited. Try to purchase a blanket that fits your bed size, too. You don’t want it to hang off the edge of the bed as it may slip off.
For many who suffer with insomnia, anxiety, or even autism, weighted blankets can provide comfort and even sometimes, an alternative to medication or herbal sleep remedies.
What’s in a weighted blanket?
Many blankets may vary in pattern, shape, size and colour, but most are filled with tiny plastic pellets to make them more weighty.
Why should I try one?
All of us experience feelings of anxiousness from time to time. Some of us may suffer from an anxiety disorder that disrupts our life each day. The pressure of a weighted blanket can reduce some of the heightened symptoms of anxiety such as faster breathing or a higher heart rate, and provide a sense of calm.
Even those with ADHD have frequently been suggested to use a weighted blanket. The weight activates the sense of touch and can keep you from feeling distracted by other stimuli. Something that is often very helpful at bedtime.
Remember the childhood feeling of a warm hug, or being swaddled in a blanket after scraping your knee? Well that comforting feeling can be almost mimicked in a decent weighted blanket.
How do they work?
You’re thinking ‘how could a blanket possibly soothe me to sleep?’ we understand. Well, these blankets help push your body downwards, an experience also known as ‘grounding’ and stimulate deep pressure touch which can help to reduce severe anxiety levels. Studies suggest that these grounding experiences can help reduce cortisol, a stress hormone that your brain produces when your brain believes your body is under attack and then the dreaded fight or flight response kicks in. By lowering your cortisol levels, you can feel less stressed.
Things to remember
While it may make your purchase a little more expensive, choosing a blanket that is made from a natural material will have even more benefits. Cotton for instance, is much cooler than a synthetic fabric which will make you hotter in your sleep, and perhaps cause sweating.
It’s also important to remember that whilst weighted blankets are often a great gift for anxiety, they aren’t suitable for everybody. If you suffer from a chronic health condition, have respiratory or circulation issues or concerns surrounding a regulated temperature, it’s best to seek the opinion of a doctor before you make any purchase.
