What Is a Weighted Blanket? Everything You Need to Know About This Sleep Wonder

In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it’s important to find moments of calm. But what do you do when you can’t find that calm? A weighted blanket may be just what you need! Whether you have trouble sleeping, feel stressed, or experience sensory processing difficulties, a weighted blanket can help calm your body and improve your sleep. But how exactly does it work? What is a weighted blanket, and how do you choose the right one? In this article, you’ll discover everything you need to know about this handy aid for a better night’s sleep.

A weighted blanket is a blanket with extra weight from materials such as glass or plastic microbeads. This weight provides deep pressure stimulation (DPS), which helps calm your nervous system and gives you a sense of safety and security. To learn more about the benefits, read our comprehensive guide to using an Ella Sleeps weighted blanket for adults and children.

Keep reading to learn more about how they work, their benefits, and how to choose the right weighted blanket for your sleep comfort.

What Is a Weighted Blanket?

A weighted blanket is specially designed to help your body relax through deep pressure stimulation (DPS). This effect creates a sense of security, similar to a firm hug. The weight in the blanket applies even pressure to your body, which has a calming effect on your nervous system.

How Does a Weighted Blanket Work?

A weighted blanket works through deep pressure stimulation (DPS). But what exactly does that mean? DPS is a technique that applies gentle, even pressure to the body. This calms the nervous system and helps your body enter a more relaxed state. DPS was originally invented by Dr. Temple Grandin, a professor at the University of Colorado. Her invention was a machine that applied pressure to her body, which would later form the basis for weighted blankets.

The Effects of Deep Pressure Stimulation

Deep pressure stimulation helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system, lowering your heart rate and blood pressure. This has a calming effect on the body and promotes deeper, more restful sleep. It stimulates the production of serotonin (the happiness hormone) and melatonin (the sleep hormone), while lowering the stress hormone cortisol.

Why a weighted blanket?

A weighted blanket has several clear benefits that help you sleep better. The constant, gentle pressure it applies to the body makes you feel safe and secure. This can be especially helpful for people who have trouble sleeping, experience anxiety, or have sensory processing difficulties. Similar products, such as weighted vests or weighted plush toys, work on a smaller area and don't provide the same pressure across the whole body. Not sure which one to choose? Read weighted plush toy or weighted blanket: which is right for you? Or take a look at our weighted plush toys.

Who Can Benefit from a Weighted Blanket?

Weighted blankets are suitable for a wide range of people. Whether you have sleep problems, stress, ADHD, or autism, a weighted blanket can help calm you and improve your sleep quality.

Weighted Blankets for Sleep Problems

The use of a weighted blanket for a better night's sleep is scientifically proven. A study by the University of Gothenburg showed that people who used a weighted blanket slept longer and felt calmer after sleeping. Research has confirmed that using a weighted blanket improves sleep patterns.

Weighted Blankets for ADHD/ADD

Weighted blankets are increasingly being used by children and adults with ADHD/ADD. Deep pressure stimulation helps calm the mind, leading to improved concentration and less restlessness. This is why weighted blankets are so popular among people with ADHD.

Weighted Blankets for Autism

People with autism often experience sensory overload. A weighted blanket gives them a sense of calm through the "womb effect" or a feeling of being hugged. This effect helps them process sensory overload more effectively, contributing to better sleep.

Weighted Blankets for Anxiety or Panic Attacks

For people struggling with anxiety or panic attacks, a weighted blanket has a calming effect. It helps promote a sense of security, as shown by research demonstrating that 60% of people experiencing a mental health crisis feel noticeably calmer after using a weighted blanket.

How to Choose the Right Weight for a Weighted Blanket

The right weight for a weighted blanket is essential for it to work optimally. The general rule of thumb is that the blanket should weigh between 9-12% of your body weight. Here are some useful guidelines to help you determine which blanket is best for you:

• For adults: choose a blanket that weighs 9-12% of your body weight.
• For children: the weighted blanket should be lighter, depending on the child’s body weight. For example, a child weighing 20 kg could benefit from a blanket weighing around 2 kg.

Please note: this rule of thumb applies to blankets, not plush toys. With a weighted plush toy, the weight rests on a much smaller area, so you need much less weight.

Washing and Caring for a Weighted Blanket

It’s important to care for your weighted blanket properly to extend its lifespan. It’s often best to wash the cover regularly. At Ella Sleeps, we also offer covers that you can easily replace for better hygiene. The blanket itself can be washed, but be sure to check the care label first. Learn more about washing a weighted blanket.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

How does a weighted blanket affect your sleep?

A weighted blanket uses deep pressure stimulation (DPS) to calm your nervous system. This lowers your heart rate and stress levels, helping you sleep more deeply and peacefully.

Who is a weighted blanket suitable for?

Weighted blankets are suitable for people with sleep problems, stress, anxiety disorders, ADHD, autism, or sensory overload. They are also often used by highly sensitive people (HSPs) and children.

How heavy should a weighted blanket be?

A good rule of thumb is that the blanket should weigh between 9 and 12% of your body weight. For children, the guideline is adjusted to recommend lighter weights.

Can you wash a weighted blanket?

The cover of a weighted blanket is usually machine washable. The blanket itself can also be washed, but requires extra care. That’s why using a separate cover is highly recommended.

Weighted blanket or weighted plush?

A blanket covers your whole body and is mainly intended for nighttime use. You hold a plush toy and can also use it during the day. In this article, we compare the two.

Conclusion

A weighted blanket can help you sleep better and feel more relaxed through deep pressure stimulation. Whether you experience sleep problems, stress, ADHD, autism, or other conditions, a weighted blanket can be a worthwhile investment in your well-being. Choose the right weight and material to get the most out of your blanket, and make sure you care for it properly to extend its lifespan.

At Ella Sleeps, we offer a wide range of high-quality weighted blankets, specially designed to help you relax fully. Explore our collection and give yourself the rest you deserve.