We all want deep, healthy sleep. You know you need more than wishful thinking to achieve it. When it comes to ensuring you get the right amount of sleep, each and every night, your mattress is a huge piece of the puzzle. Yet, you don’t sleep on a mattress alone. After choosing the perfect new mattress, you need to put together an entire sleep system that is just right for you and your specific sleep needs. When you’re looking to create a bed you love sleeping in, you’ll want to consider adding a weighted blanket, especially for children, as discussed in our dedicated article.
How does a Weighted Blanket Help?
A weighted blanket is pretty much exactly what it sounds like- a heavy blanket. They’re usually filled with tiny plastic or glass pellets to make them heavier than a regular blanket. How could a heavy blanket be healthy? It is basic biology, really. It all has to do with your parasympathetic nervous system. You see, when you’re stressed, your heart beats too quickly. Think of our ancestors thousands of years ago. It wouldn’t have made sense for them to fall asleep if they were in danger. Our bodies today sense danger from anxiety over an important work presentation the next day or worries over our personal life, not a tiger right outside our dwelling. Your brain doesn’t know you’re safe in bed; it only knows you sense danger. When this happens, lowering your heart rate can lead to relief. Pressure, like the weight of a blanket on top of you, calms you by lowering your heart rate. A lower heart rate and feeling of calmness leads to your body being ready for sleep.
3 Tips for Choosing a Weighted Blanket
“Great! I want one of those!” you may be saying. Weighted blankets vary in size, shape, color, and material. Some blankets have just a few extra pounds on them, making them an ideal weighted blanket for kids. Others may have 20 or more pounds added, which are better suited for adults who needs serious help calming their heartbeat. Clearly, there are quite a few options to choose between. The next step is learning how to choose a weighted blanket.
Go by weight
The first step in buying a weighted blanket is determining the right weight for you. The general wisdom is to pick one that's 10 percent of your bodyweight. Most adult weighted blankets are between 10 and even up to 35 pounds. Blankets made for kids are lighter, starting around five pounds as with the Hush Blankets Kids 5 LB Weighted Blanket. Children should not use adult-size weighted blankets. A child should be able to pull the blanket on and off easily and without any help. If you weigh 150 pounds, you'd get a 15-pound blanket, and so on.
Decide between glass or plastic beads
Let’s stick with the same example and say based on your weight, you know you’re looking for a 15-pound blanket. Your next decision is whether you want it filled with glass or plastic. Glass beads are usually the same size as grains of sand, and each tiny pellet are heavier than comparable plastic pellets. Because they are smaller, they take up less space in the blanket, making the finished blanket a bit thinner. The very popular Hush Blankets Classic Grey Weighted Blanket features pockets of glass sand. Plastic pellets must be bigger to achieve the desired weight, which means blankets made with them are a bit bulkier. Do you want a thin blanket to go on top of your current bedding or a thicker blanket to use as your comforter? There’s no right or wrong answer; the choice is yours!
Consider the removable cover
You probably don’t have a washing machine capable of cleaning a 30-pound blanket. This means you’re going to need to consider options with a removable cover, and which one is easiest and most comfortable for you. For example, the Hush Blanket All-Season 2-in-1 Weighted Blanket Bundle includes not only their signature inner weighted blanket insert, but also a warm and cozy classic duvet cover and Iced 2.0 Cooling Cover. The Malouf Anchor Weighted Blanket has a removable microfiber outer cover that is hypoallergenic, stain-resistant, and easily washable.
A weighted blanket uses “pressure therapy,” which refers to a calm-inducing amount of pressure on your entire body. It feels similar to the feeling of being hugged, swaddled, or gently held. The right size and weight of a weighted blanket depend on the person’s needs. This is why we carry many options here at City Mattress, both weighted blankets for kids and adults. You can order your favorite online through our website or come into a store and let a Sleep Expert guide you as to which option is ideal for you.
Now you know how to choose a weighted blanket! This information can feel like a lot to remember, but well worth it in order to have the sleep you need. And remember if you need help, our Sleep Experts are here for you! You need more than a new mattress to sleep great, and more than just a mattress salesman to help you create your perfect sleep system. Our Sleep Experts are individuals who know a lot about sleep and want to help you achieve your best night of true rejuvenation. Often, this entails a new weighted blanket that is ideally suited for your comfort preferences and health needs.