Improve Sleep With a Weighted Blanket

When I was first contacted by the company Weighting Comforts I was so excited to try their weighted blanket. Not only do I love weighted blankets but these blankets are handmade in the United States by women who are refugees (a particular passion of mine). If you look at previous posts on my blog you will see I am a huge fan of healthy sleep hygiene and finding ways to improve sleep (read here for a reminder of sleep hygiene and healthy habits for sleep). Getting restorative sleep is a major contributor to improving someone’s mental health. People don’t feel at their finest when they are sleep deprived. Weighted blankets for adults can be a helpful tool to improve sleep.

Read this post for 7 Ways to Sleep Better Tonight!

Improve sleep with a weighted blanket

Several years ago, we used a weighted blanket with one of my children who had a hard time settling down at night. She used it for about 2 years until she outgrew the toddler sized blanket. Her blanket was pretty heavy but she loved it. We carted it everywhere since it helped improve sleep and anything that made bedtime less torture I was psyched about!

 

Then recently, I had the experience where I got a great night of restorative sleep while staying in a hotel that had a weighted comforter (They also had an awesome mattress and pillow. They definitely got it right!). I hadn’t previously considered weighted blankets for adults but after this experience, I was curious to try. Hence, my excitement when I was asked to try out this weighted blanket.

The weighted blanket I was sent:

Weighting Comforts sent me a twin sized blanket to try. I love it so I have no problem writing a glowing review. I’m a big fan of anything that helps get me more restorative sleep!

 

This is my blanket:

Weighted blankets for adults: How heavy to get?

There are different weight options (10lb, 15lb, 20lb) for each blanket. The blanket I am using is the 10lb size so it isn’t too heavy. This is great for me although I imagine the 15lb would be nice too. I bet I wouldn’t be able to move with a 20lb weighted blanket but I haven’t tried it.

 

Choosing the weight of the blanket comes down to personal preference. I could never have slept with my child’s heavy weighted blanket but she loved it.

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This is what Weighting Blankets says about choosing the right blanket weight on their website:

The ideal blanket weight is 10% of your body weight. When in between sizes, we recommend going down. Many of our customers find the 15 lb blanket to be the right weight.

Not that I am trying to discuss my weight in particular, but using this formula the 10lb blanket that I have is actually the “right” one for me. When I ordered my child’s blanket years ago, I didn’t know anything about different weights or formulas hence why she ended up with a blanket that was so heavy. Luckily for all of us, it worked for her.

Weighted blankets: How will it hold up in the wash?

Although this may not be the first thing you think of when looking for a weighted blanket, make sure to check if its machine washable. This blanket has held up well in the wash.

When we were looking for the toddler weighted blanket there were many blankets for sale that required hand washing (Really? Do they know what it’s like to have a toddler? No, I do not have time to handwash…) or there were reviews that said the blanket fell apart in the wash and made a huge mess almost ruining their washer when the beads went everywhere. This particular blanket is sturdy and each section is sewed separately so the filling doesn’t bunch up.

How are these weighted blankets made?

Each Weighting Comforts blanket is handmade by a refugee woman in Nashville, Tennessee, creating income for her family. We use high quality 100% cotton fabric and 100% polyester thread for added strength and durability. The weighted beads inside each 5” pocket are made from an FDA-approved, non-irritating PVC compound.

My blanket has a soft flannel cover so it can be used without a sheet if desired. Recently, several nights at our house were pretty warm so I didn’t want to use multiple blankets and it was still comfy.

Can weighted blankets for adults reduce anxiety?

Weighted blankets can help create an environment conducive to sleep. Many people feel soothed by the sensation of deep touch pressure that the blankets can provide. You know, like a hug! This can be calming and help someone settle enough to get to sleep.

 

There have been claims in the past by other companies that weighted blankets “treat” anxiety. There isn’t the scientific evidence to say they are a “treatment” but they certainly can be a tool to reduce anxiety and improve sleep.

Here is what Weighted Comfort says about sleep and anxiety:

 

How can a weighted blanket help? This weighted blanket is designed to improve your sleep and reduce your anxiety for year-round comfort. Many people experience a deeper and more restful sleep on the first night. Others find the blanket’s weight restrictive at first, but after several nightsgrow to love the effect of the weight. Customers experiencing extreme anxiety have been instantly comforted by using this blanket.

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If you are looking for more “tools” in your toolkit to fight insomnia and anxiety a weighted blanket for adults may be just the thing you are looking for. I was thoroughly enjoying mine until it was recently stolen by one of my kids who now sleeps with it nightly. Apparently, it is time for me to purchase my own weighted blanket.

Weighting Comforts offers many different colors, sizes and weights for each of their blankets. You can check them out at the below link:

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Happy sleeping!