A Quick Guide On How To Use A Weighted Blanket
Here's the rundown on a few weighted blanket basics: what it is, what it does, and how to use it. Spoiler alert - while weighted blankets help you fall asleep, they aren't just for sleeping! Keep reading to find out more on how to use a weighted blanket for a good night's rest, and to improve your mental health.
Bearassentials
A weighted blanket works best when using it as part of your regular sleep habits. But our Nappers aren’t just for improving sleep!
Feeling overwhelmed? Taking a few minutes to snuggle under a weighted blanket is a quick, comfy, natural way to de-stress from the day.
TIP: Choose a weighted blanket that’s at least 10% of your body weight to make sure you’ll be getting the right amount of therapeutic benefits and allow your body some time to get used to the sensation of resting under the extra weight.
Did you know?
Many people who have PTSD have found a weighted blanket helps them feel less anxious and get a better night’s rest.
Remember when you were little, and you had a hard day, and someone came along and gave you a comforting hug? Maybe it was a friend or a teacher, or a parent. Of course, that hug didn't take away the problems of the day, but it did make you feel calmer and more comforted.
The calming power of a weighted blanket lies in the hug-like sensation you experience when you're cozied up underneath it, called deep pressure stimulation. In this post, we share the different ways you can use a weighted blanket to reap its stress-reducing benefits. But before we jump in, let's briefly look at some basics of using a weighted blanket.
What Are Weighted Blankets And What Do They Do?
Weighted blankets are heavy blankets that exert gentle pressure over your entire body - they can usually weigh anything between 8 and 25 lbs. The deep touch pressure that your body experiences when you're resting under weight is therapeutic: it helps lower your heart rate and slow down your breathing, ultimately helping your body and mind relax for a better night's rest.
It's easier to fall asleep, sleep deeper, and stay asleep for longer in this naturally relaxed state, as the deep pressure stimulation provided by weighted blankets can help relieve stress. So, in short, what a weighted blanket does is help you relax, so you're able to enjoy restorative rest and deep sleep to wake up feeling refreshed.
Why Do People Use Weighted Blankets?
Just like that comforting hug from someone you love when you've had a hard day, many people use weighted blankets not only to help them sleep deeper but to feel less anxious and more collected - the sensation of being gently held can make you feel calm and comforted. Many people have found weighted blankets help treat anxiety, insomnia, autism, chronic pain, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), sensory overload, and restless leg syndrome (RLS).
Choosing The Right Weight
How to use a weighted blanket starts with choosing the right weight. Which weight option of a weighted blanket should you opt for, to get a good night's sleep? Research shows that the ideal weight that can best promote relaxation by delivering deep pressure stimulation is about 10% of your body weight. But using a weighted blanket all depends on individual snuggle preference - you should experiment with different weights to see which weight works best to get restful sleep!
For small children under four years old, you should err with caution when it comes to using a weighted blanket, as they might not be able to throw off the weighted blanket on their own even if the pressure is too much.
How Do You use A Weighted Blanket?
Now that you’ve figured out which weight option is best for you let’s run through a few ways you can use your weighted blanket.
Use it to de-stress
Pull up a weighted blanket anytime you need to de-stress. Having a hard day? Using a weighted blanket can help - try curling up on the couch with our weighted Cotton Napper wrapped around you for a few minutes. You'll likely find yourself feeling calm, and ready to tackle the next part of your day.
Use it to supercharge power naps
Need a 20-minute power nap to recharge? Cozy up on the couch with a weighted blanket to help you relax and effortlessly fall into a deep, revitalizing nap.
Use it to sleep better at night
Sleeping with a weighted blanket can help improve sleep quality, so take this cozy napping companion to your bed! Weighted blankets work by distributing even deep pressure stimulation over your entire body - the pressure therapy feels like a gentle hug that helps lower anxiety and get better sleep. The deep touch pressure a weighted blanket delivers makes it easier to fall asleep quickly and stay asleep for longer - people describe that the sensation of sleeping under a weighted blanket is like a warm cuddle, which increases relaxation, and helps reduce stress and anxiety.
TIP: If you're wondering how to sleep with a weighted blanket, just use it like you would a regular blanket, layered on top of your body from shoulder to toe! Depending on your sensory preferences, you can also layer your weighted blanket with your current comforter, or other blankets such as a sheet, a muslin blanket, or a quilt.
Our Muslin Cocoon is a muslin blanket specially designed to fit just right under our Napper weighted blankets, so if you're looking for a way to get a little more snug without overheating, it might be a useful option! It is a versatile option that you can use as both a stand-alone throw and for layering under a thicker blanket, suitable for year round use on both your bed and your couch, to deliver warm, cozy calm day and night.
Use it improve focus
If you’re working from home, try keeping your weighted blanket draped on your lap or over your shoulders to help you stay focused. Studies have shown that the deep touch pressure from a weighted object can make it easier to concentrate on the task at hand.
Use it to calm your senses
Anyone who has experienced sensory overload will know how overwhelming and uncomfortable this can be. If you’re feeling restless and overloaded from an onslaught of noises, sights, or sounds, the natural calming effect of cuddling up with a knitted weighted blanket can help you regain your composure.
How Long Does It Take To Get Used To A Weighted Blanket?
Some people instantly enjoy the sensation of resting under a Napper, while others need a little more time getting used to a weighted blanket. How long it takes to get accustomed to a weighted blanket varies from person to person.
Wondering how to get used to a weighted blanket? We recommend easing yourself into the feeling for a few days by covering only your legs for a couple of minutes a day or taking short naps using your weighted blanket before folding weighted rest into your nightly routine.
