Health and Sleep Benefits of a Weighted Blanket

Why having a Weighted Blanket is Good for your Health

Sleeping with a weighted blanket is like sleeping with a hug all night.

I love the feeling of the weight on it, this is why when I lived in Michigan I always loved late fall and winter. I got to turn the heat down low and pile the blankets on and be super cozy.

One thing I found out while researching weighted blankets was that I believe I was craving the extra weight.

Now that I live in Puerto Rico, there is now way I can use a bunch of blankets so now I decided to actually get a weighted blanket.

My sleep experience has been life-changing! I love it, it is heavier than the pile of blankets I had been using but it's not at insulating.

Weighted blankets help to calm and reduce anxiety

Weighted blankets are used by Occupational Therapists to help calm or comfort restless or stressed individuals.

Weighted blankets are also used to help autistic people sleep better because a common symptom are sleep and anxiety issues (1).

But it's not just for people on the autism spectrum. Many people have problems sleeping due to anxiety or stress.

If this might be you then I would highly recommend you try a weighted blanket.

Weighted Blankets can Help With Restless Leg Syndrome

Sometimes I get restless leg syndrome and man it sucks!

It just feels so uncomfortable to have to move your legs every few seconds due to the tingling sensation.

I use to fix my problem by getting dressed and going for a quick sprint as fast as I could. It seems to help but then I get all sweaty and worked up I can't sleep after.

One thing I found only recently was that compression socks actually help to soothe restless legs.

Weighted blankets have also been found to be effective in quelling restless legs (2).

This is due to something called deep touch pressure therapy. This is when you have an even weight spread across an area which causes relaxation hormones.

Helps You Sleep Better - Helps with Insomnia

My husband has terrible insomnia, it runs in his family.It has been my goal to help him sleep better due to the massive health benefits of getting great, resting sleep.

Weighted blankets are just one of the tools I use, and his sleep is so much better now than it was!

Weighted blankets help to improve your sleep in other ways than the obvious. I mean, if it helps with restless legs that will help your sleep because you can't sleep with the tingly legs!

But weighted blankets actually help promote sleep on their own. This is because there have been studies done which show the same reason they help with restless legs, also helps to promote sleep (3)!

Deep touch pressure therapy helps to promote the release of serotonin which is a hormone that helps you sleep.

Of course not everyone who doesn't sleep well has insomnia. And weighted blankets can help with that too.

There are a lot of reasons why someone might not be getting a great night's sleep, but weighted blankets increase the quality of your sleep enough that I would recommend them to anyone.

Weighted blankets help to fight Stress

Stress has so many health issues for us. From weight gain, to diseases, to robbing us of our sleep. Stress is no joke. Stress kills. Plain and simple.

It should be your goal to reduce stress as much as you can, this applies for things you can control. Like road rage, or work level stress.

But there are other stressors that you don't have the ability to control.  

These are stressors are things like overdue bills, for example. In that case, you need to find a way to relieve stress.

Weighted blankets can help with that too (4), because in essence they are like being wrapped in a giant hug.

Hugs have been linked in lowering stress levels. I mean, who doesn't feel good when someone is hugging you (5)?

If you don't have a weighted blanket then you really need to try one.

My top cooling weighted blankets: 

Bearaby Weighted Tree Napper ($250+)

The cooling Tree Napper is available on bearaby.com. The weighted blanket is made from natural eucalyptus fibers. It feels super silky-soft. This cooling weighted blanket is perfect for hot sleepers and those who live in warm climates.

• ‍Nuzzie Knit Weighted Blanket ($160+)- The Nuzzie is a similar design as the Bearaby featuring the open weave design that allows air to circulate.
• Weighted Evolution Bamboo Cooling Weighted Blanket ($150+) - This one is also great for hot sleeps and comes with a removable cover that is easy to wash.
• Luxome Cooling Weighted Blankets ($120+) - 100% machine washable, made with cooling bamboo, and even weight eventhough it uses beads
• BlanQuil Chill ($299) - It uses breathable fabric that wicks away moisture and absorbs body heat.
• baloo weighted blanket ($150+) - good for all seasons and also machine washable and dryer safe. You can check these out on Amazon!