Weighted blankets are a hot trend right now, and they’re only getting hotter. Whether you call them weighted blankets, stress reduction blankets, or something else entirely.
These cozy comforters with hidden weights inside are all the rage among people looking for a better night’s sleep. For some, it may seem like an unusual fad. But in reality, there is scientific evidence to back their benefits as a sleep aid.
With so many options on the market and new brands launching them every day. Choosing the right weighted blanket can be overwhelming. How do you know which weighted blanket is best for you?
What do all those numbers and letters in the product description even mean? How much should you spend? We’ve created this guide to help you sort through all the noise and find an option that fits your budget and needs.
Who Invented Weighted Blankets And When?
The concept of a weighted blanket is not a new one. The first mention of the idea goes back to the late 18th century. In 1789, French author Marie-Jean-Louis-Marc Boivin. Who wrote under the pen name M. de B., wrote a short story in which a woman suffering from anxiety after the death of her husband. Is put to sleep by being covered with a “Soothing blanket” – a heavy blanket designed to calm the nerves.
While weighted blankets weren’t exactly mainstream in the 18th century. The concept was around long before then. Although, the more mainstream version of a weighted blanket was Keith Zivalich.
What is a Weighted Blanket?
A weighted blanket is a blanket that has weights inside it to provide deep pressure stimulation. The added weight of a weighted blanket is meant to help provide deep pressure stimulation. Which could help with a variety of issues like stress, anxiety, insomnia, and more.
There are many different types of weighted blankets on the market. That can be made out of different materials and have different weight options. This means you can find a weighted blanket that’s the right weight and style for you, no matter your needs.
How Do Weighted Blankets Help You Sleep?
The concept of weighted blankets is based on the idea of deep touch or weighted touch therapy. This type of therapy works by applying pressure to the body with blankets. Or other weighted items to stimulate the pressure-sensitive nerve receptors and produce serotonin (the sleep hormone).
This can help people with anxiety or insomnia fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. And for people with autism or sensory processing disorder (SPD), weighted blankets can help soothe the nervous system and reduce symptoms.
The added weight of a weighted blanket is thought to mimic the pressure of being held or hugged. For many, this can create a sense of security. And actually make it easier to fall asleep when feeling anxious (like when dealing with insomnia).
Weighted blankets can be especially helpful for those who don’t like to be too warm when they sleep. Because the added weight can help keep you cool by trapping air under the blanket.
How Can a Weighted Blanket Help With Anxiety?
Weighted blankets are designed to take advantage of the benefits of deep touch stimulation. Which is a type of therapy that uses light to moderate pressure and heavy blankets or weighted blankets to help people relax and cope with anxiety, stress, and insomnia.
The added weight of a weighted blanket provides this type of stimulation. This can help ease anxiety and promote a deep state of relaxatio. That makes it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep, as well as reduce symptoms of stress and help regulate mood.
Weighted blankets are thought to mimic the pressure of being held or hugged. For many, this can create a sense of security and actually make it easier to fall asleep when feeling anxious (like when dealing with insomnia). Weighted blankets can be especially helpful for those who don’t like to be too warm when they sleep – because the added weight can help keep you cool by trapping air under the blanket.
Which Type of Weighted Blanket Should You Buy?
There are two main styles of weighted blankets: traditional and modern. Traditional weighted blankets are made with squares or rectangles of fabric sewn together, and they can often be machine washed. Modern weighted blankets, on the other hand, are made of one piece of fabric, like a quilt, that is either machine washable or can be dry cleaned.
Traditional weighted blankets are generally less expensive than modern blankets, but they may not come in as many size and weight options. Modern weighted blankets often come with some added features, like a wireless remote control and automatic shut-off. Traditional and modern weighted blankets are both effective, so you can choose whichever one you prefer based on your budget and needs.
What Do The Different Weights Mean With Weighted Blankets?
A weighted blanket is a blanket that typically weighs 10% – 25% of the person’s body weight. When someone lies under it, they would feel pressure on their body in the same way they would feel when being hugged or when they are swaddled as a baby. This pressure has been shown to reduce stress hormones in the body, which in turn helps people sleep better, have less anxiety and less depression.
Like everything, weighted blankets won’t work for everyone. If you have a history of sensory processing disorders, you might not enjoy the sensation of using a weighted blanket, but of course, you won’t know until you try.
Secondly, consider what your goal is. If it’s to reduce stress and anxiety, then weighted blankets will work for you. But if you’re looking for an alternative way to fall asleep at night, the benefits may not be as noticeable because of their effectiveness in reducing anxiety and insomnia.
