Weighted blankets are all the rage, as they reduce anxiety and promote sleep. Can you get better sleep with a heavy blanket on your body?
What are weighted blankets?
Imagine the lead vest that you wear to take dental X-rays, but on a larger scale. Weighted blankets can be as heavy as a lead vest, since they’re filled with plastic or glass beads. Many people say that they help to reduce anxiety and promote sleep. They can weigh anywhere between 5 and 30 pounds.
How much should your weighted blanket weigh?
Most manufacturers recommend that adults use a blanket 10% heavier than their own weight. The thickness will be determined by the type of filler. The glass beads in weighted sheets are much smaller and thinner than plastic pellets.
If you are concerned about the temperature of your sleep, there are several options. You have options, no matter where you fall on the scale for sleep comfort. From blankets made of bamboo for cooling to weighted ones with extra fillings for warmth.
Does weighted blankets work?
Maybe? You can find multiple weighted blankets online. It is more difficult to locate studies on their effectiveness. Weighted blankets have been shown to reduce anxiety in different situations.
In a study, 32 adults who slept under a blanket weighing 30 pounds for 5 minutes reported feeling less anxiety. In another study, 30 people who were recently hospitalized due to a mental crisis used weighed blankets and 60% of them reported feeling less anxiety afterward.
Weighted blankets are a promising option, but the research is limited and hasn’t proven conclusive that they cause sleeplessness. It is too early to draw any conclusions due to the lack of research. There is no evidence to support the use of weighted bedding.
Summary
What’s your final opinion? If you can afford to spend a few hundred dollars on a weighted quilt, it’s worth trying. You shouldn’t rely on a weighted blanket if your anxiety is the cause of your sleep problems.
You should focus on your sleep routine and the measures you take. If your anxiety is too much for you to handle, then it’s time to consult a mental expert. You can work with them to create long-term strategies for managing your anxiety and stress.
