If you’re worried about buying an expensive and unproven product, keep reading. We’ve put together this guide to help you learn more about weighted blankets so you can make a decision that is right for you. So why buy a weighted blanket? Read on to find out.
What a weighted blanket does
Weighted blankets aka heavy blankets or gravity blankets are designed to promote relaxation and reduce anxiety. This makes them a great option for people who suffer from insomnia, stress-related disorders, sensory processing disorder, ADHD or autism.
They also promote good mental health as well as helping you have a healthy body. This because they encourage proper sleep function, lower blood pressure and increase the serotonin and melatonin levels in your brain.
What is a weighted blanket?
A weighted blanket is a blanket that has been engineered to contain evenly distributed pockets of fill material such as glass beads or rice. This special type of blanket can safely be used while sleeping and may improve sleep quality and overall well-being for individuals who use it regularly.
Weighted blankets work because the user feels like they are held or hugged. People with anxiety disorders, ASD, SPD and other similar conditions may find a weighted blanket to be helpful in reducing tension and calming the senses at night.
Do weighted blankets work?
We can answer this question with a resounding YES. Recent research on the science behind weighted blankets for insomnia and other sleep issues has shown great promise and provides evidence that their use can improve sleep. Weighted blankets work in helping reducing stress and anxiety and can help you fall asleep. A weighted blanket is great for helping both adults and kids have a good night’s sleep. Keep reading to find out why so many decide to buy a weighted blanket.
The science behind a weighted blanket
Weighted blankets work by providing deep touch stimulation (DTS). This stimulates a part of the brain called the thalamus, which helps regulate body temperature and emotions. The calming effect is created by weighted blankets that simulate being held or hugged and can only be felt while they are being worn. Weighted blankets can help you feel safe, secure and happy.
If I buy a weighted blanket, whcih brand should I choose?
There are quite a few to choose from these days, but a Mela weighted blanket is always a safe choice. Other well-known brands include Simba orbit and John Lewis, as well as Cosi Home and Jaymag. However, regardless of brand names, be sure to check the quality and reviews of said blankets. If you want to skip all the hard work, we’ve compiled a list of the best weighted blankets out there and reviewed them.
Can children use a weighted blanket?
The answer is yes! Weighted blankets actually help children with autism and sensory processing disorder to have better sleep. It can also help children with restless leg syndrome, ADHD and anxiety. For more info, read our article Can you use a weighted blanket for kids?
The reason children can benefit from a weighted blanket is that it helps them not to be so overstimulated. It makes the over-sensitivity of their senses calm down. And this allows for better sleep at night. We’ve reviewed the best weighted blankets for children online. If you want to buy a weighted blanket, check it out!
Buy a weighted blanket to help you sleep
Weighted blankets look like a normal blanket with the added weight sewn into the fabric. The amount of weight in the blanket is determined by the client’s personal needs, but most weighted blankets are around five pounds. Weighted blankets help to reduce anxiety, stress and insomnia with their soothing effect on the body and mind.
Benefits of weighted blankets
There are many benefits of weighted blankets for adults and kids alike, both physically and emotionally speaking. Many people do not know that these kinds of blankets are very useful in a variety of ways such as:
– promoting overall health
-reducing stress levels
-enhancing sleep
-helping the brain with its functioning
-improving emotional well-being
-depression and anxiety relief
– promoting calm and focus.
Physical Benefits
The use of weighted blanket is used for both adults as well as kids, but in some cases, the benefits vary from one person to another depending on the age factor. So, let us take a look at the benefits of such a blanket on an adult’s body.
Weighted blankets can help with insomnia
In case you have some difficulty in sleeping due to your anxiety, depression or any other reason, then a weighted blanket can be very useful for you as it will provide a feeling of comfort and ease which will help you get a good sleep.
Weighted blankets can improve the quality of your sleep
As mentioned above, weighted blankets are commonly used to provide deep relaxation which helps in sleeping better. They are made from different materials and therefore, you need to know what kind is the best for you as some may be too heavy or too light than the recommended one. The right kind of blanket can provide relief from restless legs as well as cramps and twitches which may interrupt the sleep cycle.
Anxiety
Although proper research is still being conducted, it seems that weighted blankets can have a positive effect on those who suffer from anxiety. The pressure the weight provides may help to calm sensory issues and activate serotonin production. When serotonin levels are increased, perhaps through pressure stimulation, many people report feeling less anxious.
Stress
By the simple act of covering your body with a heavy, blanket you are creating a form of pressure to help release stress and relax.
You can consider weighted blankets as giant deep touch pressure (DTP) stimuli that simulate the feeling of being hugged or held. Thanks to the blanket’s weight, they can provide a sense of safety and comfort that is difficult to achieve in other ways.
How does it do this?
Deep touch pressure is a type of sensory input that is provided by the body’s proprioceptors. Proprioceptors are nerve cells that pick up on stimuli from within the body, most often things like joint position sense (for example, knowing if your arm is moving or not) and muscle tension. These senses can be referred to as the “sixth sense” by researchers because they have a direct connection to the brain but are not necessarily consciously perceived.
Deep touch pressure
Deep touch pressure has been known to help calm and soothe people for thousands of years. This is why many of us enjoy getting massages or hugging in the first place! The feeling of pressure has been found to trigger the release of serotonin and dopamine in our brains, which makes us feel happy. It also activates parts of the brain that are responsible for keeping our bodies relaxed, so people with anxiety disorders may find it especially helpful.
How heavy should a weighted blanket be?
If you buy a weighted blanket, how heavy should it be? The answer: It depends on a few factors, including the size of your weighted blanket and the amount of weight it contains. There is no hard rule to exactly determine how heavy a blanket should be.
If you are using a large blanket, then more weight is needed to cover the larger surface area. The amount of weight depends on how heavy a weighted blanket that many suits your needs. This means that if you do not like the feeling of being hugged, then choose one with less weight than if you want extra comfort and warmth.
Bodyweight
The amount of weight a blanket contains also depends on your body weight. If you weigh between 100-120 lbs, then you should look for a blanket with a weight of 12-14 lbs. If you weigh more than 120 pounds, then get a blanket with 15+ lbs of weight.
Features of the best weighted blankets
If you buy a weighted blanket, you want to look out for some things. The best weighted blankets are made with natural fabrics. Weighted blankets can be machine washed and tumble dried. (it is recommended that you air-dry them). The best-weighted blankets are made with double stitching for durability and longevity. They usually have a zipper instead of buttons, snaps or ties.
Filling
A good quality weighted blanket comes with a certain filling to make sure there is even weight distribution. The most popular types of fills are glass beads, plastic pellets, rice and similar substances. Remember that you will be taking advantage of gravity to keep the blanket in place; so evenly spread the filling throughout your weighted blanket.
A top pick weighted blanket has glass beads inside. Glass beads are round and smooth, so you do not have to worry about rough edges poking or scratching you.
Fabrics
The best-weighted blanket is made with natural fabrics like organic cotton and wool. Cotton protects you from getting too hot or too cold, as it has the ability to wick moisture away from your body when you get hot and retain warmth when you get cold. Organic cotton and natural cotton are great materials to look out for in a weighted blanket because they’re cooling.
Quality
A good quality weighted blanket needs to tick a range of boxes. When using a weighted blanket you want a material like cotton which is breathable. You definitely want it to be free from lots of synthetic materials that could irritate you. Ideally, it should be machine washable. Meaning that the quality of the weighted blanket doesn’t deteriorate when you put it in the washing machine.
Can you use a weighted blanket with other bedding?
Yes! When you buy a weighted blanket, you can use other bedding underneath it— although it’s best not to place anything directly on top of the blanket. This includes another weighted blanket or any conventional blankets.
However, some people find comfort in using their own bedding — including duvet sheets and pillows — as long as they don’t come into direct contact with the blanket (which can increase the weights ability to shift). A weighted blanket may even come with a removable cover so you can put it in the washing machine. You can use your blanket anywhere, take it with you for a nap on the sofa, or even on holiday.
How to use a weighted blanket
You use it as a regular blanket, and you can use it as a substitute for your duvet if you like. Note: Some blankets will come with a cotton bag for storage. You can put it away in the free bag when not using it. Or just simply keep it next to your bed, so that when you feel you need it in the middle of the night or before going to bed, you can just take it out and wrap yourself with it.
And now let us show you how to use them!
1) Tuck the blanket in around your body
2) Hold the blanket tightly around you, and pull it to make sure that it covers and hugs your body completely.
3) Adjust the weight of the blanket: Set up the blanket with a weight according to what is comfortable for you. You don’t want too much weight on you, but if too little weight on you, then it won’t work as well.
4) Get comfortably under the blanket: Lay in bed with your weighted blanket over the top of you and draw it to cover yourself.
Can I use a weighted blanket in the summer?
The answer is yes. There are many benefits to using a weighted blanket in the summer or any time of year, it also might be safe for your child (or yourself).
Weighted blankets are not just for people during the winter months. True weighted blankets have year-round use and have numerous health benefits. To note: before using a weighted blanket that it should not replace a medical diagnosis, treatment or therapy.
Why use a weighted blanket in summer?
There are many reasons why you should be using a weighted blanket in the summer. This is especially useful for those who have trouble sleeping during the hot weather. The main reason is that the “weighted blanket” can assist in improving blood flow and release of melatonin, which will make it easier to fall asleep and reduce tossing and turning at night.
What are the drawbacks of a weighted blanket?
There are many benefits to using a weighted blanket, but there are a few negatives to look out for. A weighted blanket isn’t the solution to everything, despite it sounding that way!
Not everybody feels comfortable with a weighted blanket. It works for some but it may not work for you. It could cause you to overheat, or even feel slightly claustrophobic. Make sure you keep your receipt just in case, as you’ll never know until you try it.
Drawbacks for kids
The number of weights is important. While the number of minimum weights will vary depending on the specifically weighted blanket you buy, it’s safe to say that a weighted blanket should have at least four pounds per square foot and probably more.
This is where many people make their mistake when choosing a blanket for their child because they think small weights go a long way. The truth is that even one pound is a lot for an infant and will actually have a big impact on your child’s rest.
Is a weighted blanket good for someone who sleeps on their stomach?
Stomach sleepers may find it difficult to use weighted blankets. Your weight will be distributed not only on your back but also on your side and front as well when you are sleeping on your stomach. This is a very uncomfortable position for using a blanket with added weight. You can even experience pain in your shoulders and neck if the weighted blanket is on your shoulders.
With all those weights being added, it will be difficult for you to move and turn around because of the blanket itself. The added weight might hurt your neck as well if this will be on your stomach when you are asleep. It is important that you make sure that your position is very comfortable before purchasing a weighted blanket for yourself.
Is a weighted blanket good for someone who sleeps on their side?
Side sleepers can benefit from using weighted blankets because of the pressure they will apply to your body. If you are a person who tends to be hot in bed, then this might work for you since most side sleepers feel cold during their sleep. A weighted blanket can provide warmth and comfort when placed over you. This is not only beneficial to the side sleeper but also for the back sleepers too.
The weight of the blanket does not prevent you from moving or turning around. All you have to do is position yourself in a way that your body can accommodate that added weight when sleeping on your side. You’ll become accustomed to using a weighted blanket after time. The feeling will also be different for each person. Some might feel weightless while others may feel the pressure of added weight on top of their bodies when sleeping.
The price range of a weighted blanket
A weighted blanket can cost anywhere from £40 to £300. This price range may seem huge, but here is why the price can vary so much.
The price varies because there are so many different weighted blankets on the market. Different manufacturing companies use different materials and have different sizing, weights and fillings within each blanket. There is no standardised size for a weighted blanket.
Weighted Blankets come in all kinds of sizes, some as small as 60cm by 90 cms and others as large as 160cm by 200 cms.No two weighted blankets are the same, this is because all the companies selling these blankets have a different approach when manufacturing them.
Some of the factors that affect the price include:
- Weight – The heavier the blanket, the more expensive it will be.
- Size – The larger the blanket, the more expensive it will be.
- Filling – Different fillings are in different weights, so obviously a filling with less weight will be cheaper than one with more weight.
- Material – Like we mentioned before weighted blankets can come in all forms of fabrics and materials, from wool to cotton. The type of material used affects the price as well.
- Personalisation – Some blankets can have their own personal touches, such as a name or embroidered design and in this case, they will cost more because of this special unique feature.
Weighted blankets do offer many health benefits when using one while sleeping. It is important that you position a weighted blanket properly if you are planning to purchase one. This will ensure that you are feeling comfortable while using a weighted blanket. While it may not work for everyone, a weighted blanket can ease a lot of sleeping problems. The best way to find out if it works for you is to try one out! Not sure where to begin? Check out our review on the best-weighted blankets for better sleep.