The Pros and Cons of Weighted Blankets - What to Know Before You Buy One
Written By: Taylor Rao
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A blanket isn’t just a generic product or a one-fabric-pleases-all type of thing. Blankets are an entire product category, with variations designed to serve every type of purpose --whether it’s for a layer in between bed sheets, to cozy up on the couch with, for a proper picnic at the park, or even to help relieve anxiety and stress for a better night’s rest.
You might be most familiar with cotton, microfiber, or faux fur blankets, but what do you know about what weighted blankets can do? Well, to start --the name is pretty self-explanatory. A weighted blanket is a heavy blanket with small weights embedded into the fabric in an effort to help you become calm or more relaxed at night.
While they first came about for medical use to treat patients with sensory issues or mental illness, weighted blankets are now a widely used product by the general population to help them achieve quality sleep and peace of mind when a little extra boost before bed is needed.
If you’re intrigued, but still wondering whether a weighted blanket is right for you, consider these pros and cons to sleeping with a weighted blanket before you add one to your cart and dream of catching quality zzz’s.
Pros
Weighted blankets can reduce stress and anxiety before bed
A weighted blanket offers deep pressure stimulation, which allows the wearer to feel as if they’re being hugged or held underneath the covers. Similar to how a little baby is comforted by being swaddled, this feeling can provide relief and comfort during times of stress.
Not one size fits all
The recommended weight to use for a weighted blanket is one that is 10 percent of your total body weight. So, if you’re 150 pounds, a 15-pound weighted blanket would be best for you.
It’s a totally natural solution
Rather than revert to nighttime sleep aids or medication that could cause you to feel groggy the following day or simply not like yourself, using a weighted blanket is a totally natural solution to lifting some weight off your shoulders before bed (see what we did there).
No more tossing and turning
A weighted blanket can also help you stay in one place throughout the night, though it’s not so heavy you can’t move comfortably, but rather a little reminder that where you’re at when you fall asleep is a cozy enough position to stay in throughout the night.
Great quality brands can give you a luxury experience while you rest
Weighted blankets, while they have a specific purpose, are also designed to be comfortable, luxurious, and something worth spending your money on. Sleepgram weighted blankets are designed to give you comfort, quality, and a great customer experience at a reasonable price. Using only the best fabrics and designs, you can choose from different weights for your weighted blanket, as well as integrated cover weighted blankets and special designs made to keep you cool.
Cons
Not always suitable for children
Weighted blankets might not be the best option for a smaller child that could have trouble getting in and out of the blanket on their own. Additionally, if your child really loved sleeping with a weighted blanket and just so happened to get attached to it (as children often do), these blankets are obviously heavier than your average, which can make it difficult to travel with or frequently transport.
What if your partner isn’t into it?
If you share a bed with your significant other, a weighted blanket might not be their thing (especially if they tend to run hot). While there are cooling weighted blankets out there designed to help you sleep better and stay cool, you might have to save your weighted blanket for naptime or a solo snooze.
It probably won’t solve all your sleep-related problems
While the use of a weighted blanket could certainly ease your mind as you head into the bed, it’s important to recognize if there are any other issues in your life that are preventing you from getting a good night’s rest. You might need to create a better pre-bedtime routine to make sure you are setting yourself up for a sleepy success in addition to reaping the benefits of a weighted blanket.
You won’t want to get too attached
Sometimes when a sleep aid of any kind is needed, we can grow a little too dependent on having it (whatever “it” is) available as the trick or comfort needed to fall asleep. As mentioned, weighted blankets are intentionally heavy --and it’s likely you’re not going to find one available in your hotel room, Airbnb, or in-law’s house. You’ll want to train yourself to still find a way to get to bed without one in the event you don’t feel like packing it in your suitcase someday.
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