If you’re an anxious sleeper, then you’ve probably done some research into the question of how heavy should a weighted blanket be. This bedtime accessory is designed for people who have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep.
In the following article, we’re going to be discussing the benefits of weighted blankets, as well as the core considerations behind choosing a weighted blanket that’s perfect for you . But before we get into that, let’s talk about some of the potential reasons why these weighted blankets seem to work so well for so many people.
The Principle of Deep Touch Pressure or Deep Pressure Stimulation
The weighted blanket was created to bring the benefits of deep touch pressure (DTP) or deep pressure stimulation (DPS) to the bedroom. Getting a good night’s sleep is essential for a healthy lifestyle but it can also be hard to come by if your body struggles with slowing down.
DTP or DPS places a gentle but noticeable amount of pressure on the body’s limbs as an individual tries to sleep. This pressure serves to relax the body in much the same way that a deep tissue massage would. The theory is that this pressure calms the body into the state where it needs to be to fall asleep.
With the growing popularity of weighted blankets, it’s clear the concept is working for many. But before you rush out and purchase a weighted blanket, keep in mind that it’s not a solution for everyone.
Who Should Not Use a Weighted Blanket
Weighted blankets offer many benefits. And we’re going to deal with those in a moment. However, weighted blankets can be too heavy for certain groups of people.
The two most common are children under the age of 2 and the elderly. Babies and toddlers face the very real health risk of not being able to move under the weight of these blankets.Under extreme circumstances, they could be at risk of suffocation.
The elderly usually are less likely to suffocate but the pressure from a weighted blanket that is too heavy could prove taxing on brittle bones. But as long as you’re not in one of those groups, there’s an enormous upside.
Why Choosing a Weighted Blanket Is a Wise Investment
Before we go into how to pick a weighted blanket, it’s important to answer the question of why you should want one in the first place. As it turns out, there are a number of potential physical and psychological health and wellness factors to consider. Let’s examine some of them.
Helps with Restless Legs
Talk to anyone with restless leg syndrome (RLS), and they’ll tell you the struggle is real. RLS is a condition in which a person’s leg muscles are in a persistent state of twitching and movement as the rest of their body tries to relax.
It doesn’t sound like a serious condition. But if it’s keeping you from getting the sleep you require, it could be. An appropriate amount of pressure applied to those fidgety areas can lower stress levels of those affected areas, thus reducing or eliminating the amount of movement.
Calms Anxiety or Stress
How many of you have difficulty sleeping at night because you can’t turn off your brain long enough to relax? This taking the stress and anxiety of the day to bed with you is a very real problem; it can cause a loss in productivity, as well as a number of health effects due to sleep deprivation.
The concept of the weighted blanket seeks to change that by helping relax the body. It also enables better sleep patterns in individuals who suffer from sensory processing disorders like autism or psychological issues like depression.
Can Improve Sleep
Yes, a weighted blanket can help you get to sleep. But it also helps to improve the quality of your rest. It does this by first facilitating sleep and then continuing to control the movements and pressures that cause the body to toss and turn each night without it.
Promotes Focus for ADHD Patients
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) causes many young people and adults to struggle with the ability to focus. People with ADHD can have difficulty sleeping, get into trouble at school, and run into issues at work.
A weighted blanket promotes deeper focus on these individuals. People struggling with ADHD might see the benefit of bringing this product into their nightly routines.
Helps Boost Serotonin and Melatonin
The body contains hormones that relax us and make us feel a state of wellness or euphoria. Called serotonin and melatonin, these are naturally-occurring, though you can take them as supplements.
But with a weighted blanket, you may not have to. The pressure application that comes with the properly weighted blanket may address many of the causes for sleep irregularity. In so doing, it could lead to more restful sleep and the subsequent health benefits.
Combats Sleeping Disorders in the Elderly
Some older adults — remember, not the feeble ones — could see some benefit from using these to deal with age-onset sleeping disorders. Some of the most common sleeping disorders that occur in older adults include sleep apnea, teeth grinding, and sleepwalking. Consider one of these blankets if that sounds like you!
Offers Security for the Sleeper
Many people just sleep better if they feel like they’re properly “tucked in.” In lieu of doing that yourself, why not leave it up to the blanket?
Many weighted blanket owners boast that sleeping under theirs feels similar to a hug or embrace. Hugs make us feel warm, accepted, loved. A blanket that delivers a similar experience will make you feel more secure and at home each night.
But now the real question. What size weighted blanket for the best results? It’s not a decision to take lightly, and these steps should help.
1. Know the Different Options
When trying to answer the question, what size weighted blanket do I need, it’s easy to go straight for the weight factor without considering other options. That’s a mistake.
The weight alone does not determine the comfort level. The blanket size and different types of materials will vary in their appeal.
For the construction, these blankets are built around the weight source and covered with a more user-friendly material like chenille or cotton. On the inside, they typically consist of poly pellets, pieces of smooth glass, polypropylene plastic beads, or other disc-shaped objects.
Read up on each type (i.e., cost, comfort, and other considerations). Once you have one in mind, you’re closer to walking away with the one you want. But first:
2. Test How It Feels
Weighted blanket sizes are measured differently than most blankets. Rather than being solely classified as twin, full, queen, and king, the emphasis is on pounds of pressure.
That said, you can still get weighted blankets that match your bed size. But before you go that route, test out what you’re going to purchase to see if there are things you haven’t considered or problems you didn’t expect.
3. Pay Attention to Reviews
Sometimes it’s difficult finding a weighted blanket to test out inside of a store. When that occurs — and even when it doesn’t — you need to check out what others are saying about the product-in-question.
Pay particularly close attention to the two- and three-star reviews. These tend to be the fairest depictions of what you can expect, both pros and cons. From there:
4. Do a Price Comparison
You are going to run into a lot of options out there. Don’t jump at the first one.
See what’s available online. Check it through a price comparison website. Also, weighted blankets can get expensive, so do a little deep diving for coupon codes and other promotions.
5. Choose Something That Launders Well
Weighted blankets aren’t exactly cheap. Prices can range from $45-$180. In many cases, you’ll get what you pay for.
But don’t just assume expensive equals good, cheap equals bad. Weighted blankets can end up costing you substantially more money if you buy a weighted blanket made from materials and fabric that don’t stand up under repeated washings or require dry cleaning.
That adds to the total investment into the blanket. And that investment may not be worth it when the blanket starts unraveling with multiple washes.
Do research before you buy it. Buy quality, whatever that means to you.
6. Know What You Can Handle
Learn what the proper weight for your personal situation is. Follow the recommendations. They’re there for a reason.
Failing to do so will either not address the needs that you have for a weighted blanket or they will elevate your body temperature beyond what you’re comfortable with as you try to sleep.
What Is The Best Weight For A Weighted Blanket?
There really is no such thing as the best weight for a weighted blanket.
There are differing age-and-weight guidelines for the three basic classifications of people who can use weighted blankets without fear of harm. In this section, we’re going over each one in a little more depth.
As you work to compute how much weight the blanket should have in it, keep in mind the recommended standard is 10 percent of body weight.
Weighted Blankets For Children Under 13
We’ve already made some mention of this, but it’s worth emphasizing. Small children should in no way, shape, or form be under a weighted blanket. There are too many risks.
A good rule of thumb is to not allow the use of one until the child has reached the age of 11. The 11-13 age range is generally old enough to handle a smaller weighted blanket. But make sure it coincides with that 10 percent of the body-weight standard.
Weighted Blankets For Teens to 20 Years Old
From around the age of 14, children start becoming young adults. The mental and physical abilities are there for weighted blankets. But you do need to keep in mind too heavy of a weight can be uncomfortable and too little can be pointless.
Also, this age group tends to change the most physically. So the weighted blanket you buy with confidence today may not end up working so great in another six months.
How Heavy Should A Weighted Blanket Be For Adults
From about the age of 21, weighted blanket sizes tend to be a matter of preference. Keep in mind the recommendation of 10 percent still holds here. Also, note that most blankets top out at around 30 pounds and start as little as five pounds.
The five-pound ones probably won’t be that appealing to an adult as most adults tend to weigh at least 2.5 to 3 times more than the recommended weight for that size. So if you’re an adult, excluding the frail and the elderly, you’ll want to start with at least a 10- or 15-pound weighted blanket for the optimum effect.
Learning How Heavy Should a Weighted Blanket Be Is Your Key to Better Rest
Knowing how heavy should a weighted blanket be is the first step into reclaiming control of your slumber.
If you’re ready to choose the right one for your bed or easy chair, then look no further than IMRested. Contact us today for more information.