ActiveHow heavy should a weighted blanket be? We asked the expertsIf you’re wondering how heavy your weighted blanket should be, here’s what you need to knowWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
ActiveHow heavy should a weighted blanket be? We asked the expertsIf you’re wondering how heavy your weighted blanket should be, here’s what you need to knowWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
If you’re wondering how heavy your weighted blanket should be, here’s what you need to know
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Getty)
(Image credit: Getty)
If you’re curious about weighted blankets, you’ve probably wondered ‘how heavy should a weighted blanket be?’ These sleep aids have rocketed in popularity over the past few years, as people turn to them for help with anxiety and insomnia.
There’s a range of weight options available, with lighter blankets starting at around five pounds and heavier models going all the way up to 30 pounds. As a general rule, the heavier the blanket, the greater the level of compression you’ll feel when you’re lying under it.
If you’re buying a new blanket, we’d recommend opting for something that’s equal to 10-12% of your own bodyweight, as this is the sweet spot for most people. In this article we’ll delve a little deeper into what a weighted blanket is before doing our best to answer the one question everyone needs answering: how heavy should a weighted blanket be? We’ll also determine whether or not a weighted blanket can betooheavy.
Before committing to buy a sleep aid of this kind, you may find it beneficial to check out our guide to some of thebest weighted blanketscurrently available.
What is a weighted blanket?
A weighted blanket (sometimes referred to as a gravity blanket or anxiety blanket) is a regular-sized blanket that’s heavier than normal, usually because it’s filled with weighted pellets. If you’re worried about a potential choking hazard from pellets in the blanket, you can also find some 100% cotton heavy knitted blankets.
Available in a range of weights from five to 30 pounds, they’re able to deliver a uniform level of compression across your whole body, a satisfying sensation which feels very similar to being held.
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A modest study published in theOccupational Therapy in Mental Healthjournal showed that 63% of people who took part felt less anxious after using a 30-pound weighted blanket, with 78% of participants saying they preferred the blanket as a calming aid.
How heavy should a weighted blanket be?
(Image credit: Burst via Pexels)
(Image credit: Burst via Pexels)
Adult body weight > blanket weight
A 2015 study published in theJournal of Sleep Medicine & Disordersfound that participants reported improvements in sleep when using blankets that weighed 12% or more than their own body weight. But the sleep specialists at Nectar recommend starting with a 10% body weight rule when buying blankets for children, then adding an extra pound or two. Here’s a helpful guide to aid parents and caregivers:
Child’s weight > age > blanket weight
What happens if a weighted blanket is too heavy?
(Image credit: Amin Hasani on Unsplash)
(Image credit: Amin Hasani on Unsplash)
Trying to get to sleep under a weighted blanket that’s too heavy will make you feel uncomfortable. If moving around under your blanket is a significant challenge then chances are it’s too heavy. If it’swaytoo heavy then you may start to feel trapped or panicked, or even struggle to comfortably inflate your lungs.
It’s also important to note that people with certain health conditions may find that their weighted blanket puts too much pressure on their joints or other sensitive areas, even though their weighted blanket falls within the manufacturers specifications for their bodyweight.
The bottom line here is that any weighted blanket that restricts your movements and/or makes it hard to breathe is simply too heavy. It will not help you feel more calm or less stressed so you’ll need to replace it with a slightly lighter blanket, one that feels heavy without feeling constricting.
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