7 expert-approved weighted blankets for some much-needed relaxation
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Who doesn’t like to be snuggled when they sleep?
Weighted blankets are becoming a popular way to release stress and snooze more soundly.
What are weighted blankets?
Filled with materials like glass beads or poly pellets, weighted blankets are simply blankets that weigh anywhere from 7 to 25 pounds. They are meant to help people relax.
Weighted blanket benefits
Adding one to your bed can offer a sense of calm to your nighttime routine. “Many people like the feeling of pressure against their body and do find this pressure to be quite relaxing,” said Lynelle Schneeberg, a sleep psychologist who is also a fellow of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. She likens it to a hug or massage and compares it to why we swaddle newborns. “Lying under a heavy blanket can, indeed, be very soothing,” she added.
Do weighted blankets work?
While there is preliminary research that weighted blankets can help increase sleep time, Schneeberg said that it’s unlikely to be the magic bullet for insomnia. Buy one to bliss out, but see a doctor if you are suffering from insomnia.
Weighted blankets for kids
You might consider it for your little ones, too. “Kids who experience stress or anxiety in different situations, or who struggle to fall asleep at night, may find a weighted blanket useful,” said Heather Forst, an occupational therapist at Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The pressure they offer may help children with ADHD remain focused when doing schoolwork, and might aid those diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, she added.
If you’re thinking about buying one, Schneeberg recommends huddling up under a pile of blankets or quilts to test out how much you like the heavy sensation. If you’re ready to try one out, here are five great options — and two alternatives for the littlest members of your family:
The best weighted blankets, according to doctors and experts
1. YnM Weighted Blanket
YnM Weighted Blanket
YnM Weighted Blanket $69.90 at Amazon
Hayden C. Finch, a licensed psychologist based in Des Moines, Iowa, recommends this bestselling weighted blanket on Amazon. It's filled with glass beads and wrapped in a breathable fabric to improve temperature control. (After all, no one likes to sweat while they sleep.)
2. Baloo Weighted Blanket
Baloo Weighted Blanket, 15 lbs
Sleep specialist Dr. Raj Dasgupta likes Baloo for its quality products and said this is a good option when you’re looking for comfort from a blanket that provides a feeling of warm cuddles. (If you’re grappling with pain, a weighted blanket may also soothe discomfort, he added.)
Available in 15 and 20-pound weights and measuring the top of a queen-sized bed, it’s made with breathable fabric and can be tossed into the washing or drying machine. The quilted sections also keep the fill balanced, so it can properly lay on the pressure points of your body.
3. ZonLi Weighted Blanket
ZonLi Adults Weighted Blanket
ZonLi Adults Weighted Blanket $49.99 at Amazon
Finch also recommends this well-priced option: "This one’s great because it comes in a range of sizes and weights for folks with different needs." Finch advises that blankets should generally be about 10% of your body weight, and they should be big enough to cover your body (but not necessarily your entire bed).
4. Tranquility Weighted Throw Blanket
12lb Weighted Throw Blanket
12lb Weighted Throw Blanket $49.00 at Target
This consistently well-rated 12-pound option is available in two neutrals — gray or ivory — and is a small throw size, making it ideal to keep in your living room to snuggle up with on the couch.
5. Brooklinen Weighted Blanket
Weighted Comforter
Weighted Comforter $199.20 at Brooklinen
This option is brand new for 2020, and it sets itself apart from the pack for combining the comfort of a weighted blanket with the function and look of a comforter. Though Finch hasn't tried it herself, she told us that "its specifications are consistent with recommendations for how much the blanket should weigh."
The best weighted blanket for kids
1. Sweetzer & Orange Weighted Blanket for Kids
Sweetzer & Orange Weighted Blanket for Kids
Sweetzer & Orange Weighted Blanket for Kids $44.87 at Amazon
The Minky cover offers softness anyone would love to cuddle with as they sleep. Plus, it comes in kid-friendly 5 and 7-pound sizes, suitable for little ones who weigh more than 42 pounds. If you’re using one for kids, you should always consult your child’s pediatrician first, said Finch.
2. The Original Snugbug
The SnugBug: A Sensory Compression Sheet
The SnugBug: A Sensory Compression Sheet $50.00 at Amazon
Bed wraps, which fit over the entire mattress like a pillowcase and provide gentle but snug pressure, are a great alternative to weighted blankets, especially for kids, said Schneeberg. They’re also easy to take with you when you travel. This option from the handmade section on Amazon comes in a variety of colors and sizes.
For more sleeping recommendations, check out:
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This article was originally published on Feb. 15, 2019.
