What is a Weighted Blanket?

Weighted blankets, viewed as a fad just a few years ago, are now mainstream. They are based on a therapy technique called deep pressure touch. These therapeutic blankets utilize the power of weight to relax your body and mind before bedtime by simulating the feeling of being held, hugged, or swaddled.

According to WeightedBlanketGuides.com, weighted blankets help with sleep and insomnia, stress and anxiety, restless leg syndrome, depression, autism, ADHD, PTSD, fibromyalgia, and Lyme disease.

WeightedJournal.com, a sleep blog by a husband and wife team that helps people find the weighted blanket that’s best for them while supporting small and local businesses, offers a history lesson on the origin of weighted blankets.

Weighted blankets come in a variety of fabrics, colors, sizes, and weights. They are typically filled with an evenly distributed inner layer of either glass beads or plastic pellets, which is what adds the extra weight.

Weighted blankets range on average from 12-20 pounds. As a rule of thumb when buying a weighted blanket, you should choose a weight close to 10-12% of your own body weight. If your weight falls between two sizes, the lighter choice is recommended.

For heavier people, look for 30-35 pound blanket weights. For children, get 10% of their weight plus 1-2 pounds. The lightest weight blankets come in 4, 5, 6, and 7-pound options. These small children’s blankets also have pretty designs:

Since weighted blankets are heavy and thick, they are also fairly warm. In winter you may prefer the soft sherpa fleece. But if you’re worried that a weighted blanket will make you too hot, look for one made of breathable cotton or airy bamboo. Some weighted blankets are double-sided reversible for all season use.

Due to their construction, most weighted blankets are spot-clean only. A few of them come with a protective duvet cover, or you can buy a silky tactile cover. If you’re planning to use your own duvet cover, make sure the weighted blanket has loops around its perimeter. These allow you to securely fasten the duvet cover to the weighted blanket so it doesn’t shift around.

Most weighted blankets are made in the calming colors of blue and gray. The original popular brand of weighted blanket is the Gravity Blanket:

AmazonBasics has their own OEKO-TEX Certified brand:

Chilla has a three-piece set that includes a weighted inner layer + minky WINTER duvet cover + cooling SUMMER cover, all in a nice gift box:

If you or someone you know has sleep-related issues, try a weighted blanket! It’s also a fantastic gift idea! This is a good time to buy them because they’re usually on sale. Order now from Amazon and it will arrive before Christmas!

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