Sleep is a non-negotiable need and weighted blanket benefits can boost your sleep and daytime wellbeing too. Not only can they help you fall asleep, they can reduce daytime concentration troubles and lower anxiety, too.
Our sleep experts have revealed the eight benefits of weighted blankets, so if you're feeling restless at night, unable to fall asleep, or waking up intermittently, consider trying one of your own to cash in on the positive impact they can bring.
Whilst some of the best weighted blankets look beautiful, they bring beauty and brawns, helping users on multiple fronts. Cuddle up, settle in and let's begin our Weight Blanket 101.
The most impactful weighted blanket benefits
Once you start using a weighted blanket, you should see the benefits the first night. Just make sure to wash your weighted blanket regularly for maximum relaxation and to help it deliver its positive impact whilst staying fresh and enjoyable to snuggle under.
1. Restful sleep
“The calming effect provided by using a weighted blanket allows for a more relaxed and restful sleep,” says Dr Chelsie Rohrscheib, head of sleep at Wesper, a clinical sleep test centre.
Under a weighted blanket, you may find you fall asleep with more ease, and stay asleep longer. As your nervous system calms down, you’ll find yourself drifting off to sleep.
Even celebs such as Olivia Rodrigo use a weighted blanket for a better night's sleep. Olivia swears by the Bearaby organic cotton weighted blanket available at Nordstrom and we can't blame her. Reviewers say it's "super-soft", doesn't make them sweat at night and we love that it can be not only machine washed, but tumble dried too.
2. Reduced night time movement
When you’re sleeping underneath a blanket that weighs up to 30 lbs — experts recommend picking one that weighs around 10% of your body weight — it makes sense that you will have a reduced ability to move and that’s a good thing!
You might discover restless legs finally take a hike as the physical pressure of weighted blankets can soothe the autonomic nervous system, forcing the body into a more restful state
“Weighted blankets distribute pressure across the body, which causes a calming effect by stimulating our parasympathetic nervous system, the side of the nervous system responsible for rest and relaxation,” explains Chelsie.
There's a reason cuddling feels good and it's not just the feel-good hormones: the widespread pressure experienced when having a squeeze with your loved one is a miniature version of what a decent weighted sleep blanket will do.
To get the maximum benefits, Chelsie recommends ensuring that the blanket covers both the chest and trunk, which is where you want to focus on pressure distribution. “Try using the weighted blanket with a sheet, avoiding other large blankets, to ensure that you do not overheat during the night,” she adds..
Get squished a little to enjoy a more restful state with less tossing and turning. Your bedmate will thank you too for less night-time disturbance, and more shut-eye.
Dr Shelby Harris, Director of Sleep Health at Sleepopolis adds that the ideal weight for a weighted blanket is about 10 percent of an adult’s body weight, while kids should look for five percent. Simply divide your weight by 10 to find yours.
She says, “If you’re in between sizes, I recommend sizing up to ensure the blanket provides enough pressure.”
3. Decreased Insomnia
Chelsie explains, “Clinical studies have shown that people who use weighted blankets sleep longer, deeper, and are less likely to experience insomnia.”
If you’re someone who often wakes during the night, a weighted blanket could help you fall asleep and stay asleep. Check the tog factor (how warm a blanket is) to avoid triggering night wakings due to overheating.
The Gravity Store's Cooling Weighted blanket available on Amazon has earned its title in many 'best of' guides, with it's cooling properties, and easy-to-wash machine-friendly care instructions. It comes in six colors, making it easy to match to your bedroom style, whilst also being customisable by weight and size, from 15-35 lbs.
4. Reduced anxiety
“Weighted blankets can be great for reducing anxiety and restlessness,” says Dr Shelby Harris, Director of Sleep Health at Sleepopolis.
She adds that a weighted blanket is often compared to a soothing hug, and that helps many people calm down and self-soothe. There's a reason babies are calmed by cuddles and swaddling and it's entirely in our nature to enjoy this. Consider it nature's 'go to sleep' cheat button.
The good news is, you don’t have to use your weighted blanket only at night. Anytime you’re feeling uneasy or anxious in the day, pull out your weighted blanket, and try to still your mind for a few minutes as you let the weight calm your nervous system down.
Hurrah for working from home where nobody will see you swaddled up between video meetings! And, when you're done, our small office storage ideas will help you find the right spot to stash yours.
5. Increased focus
“Some people report that a weighted blanket enhances their ability to focus as well,” says Shelby. It makes perfect sense, too.
After wall, if you're sleeping better, feeling less anxious and more rested than ever, your ability to concentrate during the day and on difficult tasks will inevitably increase.
Stress has been well documented as a leading cause of sleep and concentration loss so the benefits a weighted blanket can bring is a top reason to add it to one to your birthday list.
6. Lifts mood
If you’re getting better sleep at night, you’re going to be in a better mood during the day. It’s a win-win situation to use a weighted blanket and improve your overall quality of life.
Good mood also brings a cascade of other wellbeing benefits outside of feeling happier in yourself, including increased productivity, libido and lower cortisol levels making it easier to maintain a healthy weight.
7. A comforting sleep environment
Back to the concept of being swaddled, anytime humans (and many animals too), not only do we feel cozy and comforted, but our blood pressure lowers, heart rate slows and our body's ability to heal itself gets bolstered, working hand in hand with better immunity.
By using a weighted blanket, we create a cocoon-like environment that makes it easy to feel safe, secure, and ready to drift off, leading to better sleep hygiene (good habits to promote high-quality shut-eye) and you guessed it — better sleep!
After all, if getting into bed feels that darn good, you'll be more inclined to stick to a sleep schedule, get yourself to bed in time and put down your phone to drift off into la-la land...
8. Increased serotonin
“Weighted blankets provide Deep Pressure Touch which has been shown to release serotonin. This can promote feelings of relaxation for better sleep,” says Marten Carlson, a certified sleep science coach and sleep expert at Mattress Clarity.
We need hormones like serotonin to fall asleep and stay asleep, so a weighted blanket is a straightforward way to boost production.
Whilst the initial outlay on some weighted blankets can be steep (up to $350), they are quite literally worth their weight in good for wellbeing. The good news is, we've hunted down well-rated affordable ones to consider.
Price: Was $129.99, Now $93.38
Weight: 15 lbs
Material: Polyester
This breathable and lightweight weighted blanket is made with chemicals safer for humans and the environment and has been certified OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100, a globally standard test that requires every component of a textiles product to be tested against a list of more than 1,000 harmful regulated and unregulated chemicals (updated annually) which may be harmful to human health. Please note, this item is for adults and should not be used by children.
Price: Was $79.99, Now $34.87
Weight: 20 lbs
Material: Microfiber
Available in 18 different colors and patterns, there's something for everyone with this Topcee weighted blanket. The weights range from three to 30 pounds so you can find the right size for you and your needs. With over 6k reviews and a 4.5-star rating, it's well-loved by customers.
Price: $139
Weight: 12 lbs
Material: Polyester
Go for a neutral option to match your bedroom with Casaluna weighted blanket. The solid knit adds texture and interest to your bedroom set-up. Shoppers who bought this item praise its breathability, that it washes well and say it is so well sized it’s super comfortable for sharing.
FAQ
What is a weighted blanket?
Weighted blankets are just what they sound like — blankets with weights in them, and are used to relax the nervous system whether you’re relaxing on the sofa or trying to fall asleep in bed. Typically, they’re filled with a weighted material like micro glass beads or plastic pellets.
These materials are evenly distributed throughout the blanket. When you slip under a weighted blanket, you feel a definite weight on your body, but you don’t feel suffocated.
Dr Chelsie Rohrscheib recommends starting at 10 lbs and working your way up as needed.
“The desirable weight of your blanke is dependent on factors such as your size, weight, and personal preference. It's always wise to start light and work your way up,” explains Chelsie.
If you're struggling to think of some blanket storage ideas to put yours away in the morning, try stashing it under the bed or in your closet. You can even keep yours in a living room blanket basket for easy access.