What Are Weighted Blankets And Why Are They So Popular?

By jordan moss | April 1, 2020

Weighted blankets have become very popular over the last few years. They were designed to help alleviate a range of conditions and promote a sound night’s sleep.  

What are weighted blankets, and how do they work? 

What Are Weighted Blankets? 

As the name suggests, weighted blankets are large, bed-sized blankets filled with various materials that give it weight.  There is are various designs and materials on the marketing but the best weighted blanket materials to use are good quality, durable and safe. You can buy them in various sizes and weights for both adults and children. 

Just like when you were a baby and enjoyed being wrapped in a blanket, or fell asleep hugging your mom or dad, the blanket recreates this feeling of safety and comfort, at any age. 

The blankets can be used to help you relax and achieve a calm state and were designed using principles of Deep Touch Pressure (DTP).  

They can be used to alleviate a number of conditions including: 

Insomnia

Whether you sleep soundly or spend your nights tossing and turning, a weighted blanket can help elevate serotonin and melatonin levels in your brain, aiding a more restorative sleep. 

Anxiety

People who live with anxiety and stress often suffer from insomnia or the inability to get a restful night’s sleep. This can cause anxiety levels to rise further, causing a vicious circle. 

A weighted blanket can improve the quality of sleep and provide an alternative to sleeping pills. 

Restless Leg Syndrome

If you feel the urge to constantly move your legs while you sleep, then you might have Restless Leg Syndrome.  Or you may feel a tingling or tightening in your legs throughout the night.  This constant movement and feeling of being uncomfortable isn’t great for a good night’s sleep and can lead to insomnia. 

This condition is sometimes treated with compression socks, but a weighted blanket has much the same effect as they weigh down your legs. 

Sensory Processing Disorders

Children and adults with conditions such as autism may have sensory processing disorders that lead to attacks of anxiety. A weighted blanket has a calming effect during these attacks. 

They are available in a number of different sizes and weights suitable for children. 

Issue Focusing

People living with ADHD or similar conditions can find it difficult to focus and become restless.  Deep pressure therapy from a weighted blanket can increase the levels of serotonin and melatonin, creating a calming effect. 

Conditions Of Aging

They make a great gift for older relatives.  As we get older, our sleep cycle changes. Add to this any number of age-related aches and pains, and you have a recipe for insomnia.  Weighted blankets make great gifts for older relatives. 

Not All Blankets Are Created Equal

There are many different brands on the market at a range of prices.  Make sure that you do your research make sure the blanket is made of good quality material and filling.  This is especially important for blankets for children, as the material that makes the blanket heavy could leak out of a badly made product.

They don’t look like a medical device either, meaning that you’ll be able to find a stylish fabric to suit your home.