Weighted blankets are a relatively new, but very effective tool for people who are struggling with anxiety, stress or insomnia. They provide deep pressure touch stimulation that can help children and adults alike sleep better. Weighted blankets are also known to be helpful in decreasing symptoms of anxiety and depression by grounding the body. If these benefits sound appealing to you, read this blog post so that we can walk through exactly how weighted blankets work and why they’re worth investing in.

What is a Weighted Blanket?

A weighted blanket is pretty much exactly what it sounds like. It’s a blanket that has been filled with small, heavy pellets or beads, which are inside stitched square pockets.

Celebrities from Kendall Jenner to Jennifer Lawrence have declared their love for weighted blankets – the latter even put one on her wedding registry list!

How Do Weighted Blankets Work?

Weighted blankets recreate the feeling of being held by a loved one, which helps to release “happy hormones”, such as oxytocin, serotonin and dopamine in the brain. This helps to ease stress, calm you down and make you feel safe.

Human touch is a basic human need, and so weighted blankets are especially useful for those suffering in isolation due to the pandemic. It’s also the ultimate comfort after a break up.

Once you drift off, weighted blankets can also improve the quality and duration of your sleep. The deep pressure touch simulation helps to ground your body and reduce the production of cortisol, a stress hormone that interrupts sleep. Using a therapy blanket is essentially the adult version of being swaddled like a baby!

How Heavy Should A Weighted Blanket Be?

Therapy blankets are designed to be around 7-12% of your bodyweight, so there’s no danger of being suffocated or getting stuck. To make things easier, look for one that’s 10% of your bodyweight. If you weigh 140lbs, look for a blanket that weighs around 14lbs. The weight of the blanket will act as your personal anchor, making you feel safe and secure without restricting movement.

Make sure to choose the right sized blanket for your bed, too. If it’s too big then it’s more likely to fall off in the night and it’s pretty heavy to be dragging back onto the bed at 4am!

The Best Weighted Blankets

Tranquility Temperature Balancing Weighted Throw

This blanket is perfect for those who get hot easily and comes with a lifetime guarantee. It contains glass beads, rather than plastic pellets, for a smoother and more comfortable texture. There’s a range of weights available, from 12-20lbs.

Franco Sleep Therapy Super Soft Premium Quality Adult Weighted Blanket

This cozy, best-selling blanket is perfect for everything from quick naps to all-night slumbers. It’s made from soft, plush material so it feels great against your skin and it comes in a range of colors. You’ll be asleep in no time!

Bearaby Organic Cotton Weighted Knit Blanket

This blanket is perfect for those who like things a little more natural. It’s made from 95% organic cotton and the chunky knit design looks super stylish, too. Very hygge, if you will!

Gravity Blanket

This premium-grade weighted blanket is one for those who take sleep ultra-seriously. In fact, it’s probably the gold standard of therapy blankets. It’s hypoallergenic with a super breathable cover, and it has helped thousands of happy customers across the globe enjoy moments of calm during the past two years – and you really can’t put a price on that.

For more on dealing with stress and anxiety, check out:

• Caring for Your Mental Wellbeing During Covid-19
• How ASMR Can Help with Pandemic Anxiety
• How to Handle Stress Like a (Girl) Boss