As you've been exploring ways to enhance the quality of your sleep, it's likely you've come across weighted blankets in your quest. These blankets, constructed with multiple layers and filled with different types of materials ranging from plastic pellets to micro-glass beads, have been instrumental in helping countless individuals unwind, alleviate stress, and achieve a more restful night's sleep. 

But just how well do they help you sleep at night? To help you discover if a weighted blanket is for you, this article will dive into the experience of sleeping with a weighted blanket to help you make the best investment in your journey towards better sleep.

But before we get to the pros and cons of sleeping with a weighted blanket, we first need to better understand the product.

What is a Weighted Blanket?

A weighted blanket is a simple invention. In its most basic form, you take two layers of fabric, sandwich the middle with an insert (some people make their own using sand, but more professional blankets will use pellets or beads which offer different sleeping experiences), and then divide the blanket up into dozens of pockets.

The result is a blanket that has some real weight to it. From 5 lbs to 30 lbs, the weight of the blanket as it rests over you simulates the experience of a hug. This triggers the release of various chemicals in our brain to help soothe and relax us—thus making it easier to get to sleep!

What are the benefits of sleeping with a Weighted Blanket?

It is this very characteristic which has helped millions of people all over the world revitalise their sleep routine. Having used the weighted blanket myself, and having read hundreds of user reviews, I will present a broad overview of the general sleeping experience. Let’s jump in.

The Pros:

Can help you fall asleep faster. They say that you should never go to bed angry. Whilst this isn’t a concern for many of us most days of the year, we are all more likely to get into bed feeling stressed, worried, or anxious over something. 

As previously mentioned, the weight of the blanket simulates a hug. This pressure against our skin is similar to the therapeutic exercise called ‘Deep Pressure Simulation’. Releasing relaxing chemicals into our body, we will feel soothed and relaxed—so you can calm your mind and get to sleep that little quicker.

Stay asleep for longer. As we drift through the various sleep cycles, we are prone to waking up, particularly during the earlier stages. Ideally, we want to reach the deep sleep stages as soon as we can, but having our sleep interrupted can slow down that process. Ultimately, this might lead us to feel poorly rested come morning.

Sleeping with a weighted blanket can help. The weight of the blanket will suppress movement (which has resulted in a glowing reputation amongst RLS sufferers) and will therefore reduce sleep interruption from our body naturally shifting in the night.

Wake feeling refreshed. Consequently, people are able to sleep faster and can reach the deeper sleep cycles more fluently. This is the cornerstone of a good night's rest and should result in waking up feeling like you haven’t been to the dog house all night!

What are the cons to sleeping with a Weighted Blanket?

Let’s take a look at the underbelly of sleeping with a weighted blanket and see how some people report on their experiences.

The Cons:

They’re pretty heavy. This one shouldn’t come as some surprise, but they really do weigh quite a lot. This can make it difficult to shift the blanket around (especially if it falls off your bed if you’ve been shifting around), and making the bed in the morning might feel like a pre-workout!

The recommended weight of the blanket is the closest blanket to 10% of your overall weight. Some people might end up buying one that exceeds their range and in turn, can delay the expected benefits. This may cause some users to feel hot, though there are cooling weighted blankets on the market for those that naturally sleep hot.

Can take some getting used to. It’s a completely new experience. It can feel like taking all of your blankets and pillows and laying under them all—only it’s as thick as just one regular blanket! Your body might need a few weeks to adjust to this sensation, especially if you tend to move around a lot at night.

It’s worth sticking with the blanket if it doesn’t quite feel right during the first few nights. And if it’s not for you, then there’s a good chance the brand will cover the product inside of a 100-night trial anyway!

Not the cheapest sleeping aid out there. It’s true. As far as natural sleeping aids go, this one can reach the $100 range pretty quickly. You don’t want the cheapest solution either, as the beads might leak easily or the fabric might tear. It’s also recommended to buy a cover as this will protect the blanket from sweat or spills.

As it’s not the cheapest product on the market, it might intimidate some people. Which is why we strongly recommend looking for brands that do offer that extended trial. Make sure it works for you and that you benefit from the product. 

Summary

Getting a good night's rest is important, but for many of us, it can always feel like there’s some obstacles preventing us from getting the sleep we need. A weighted blanket can prove a suitable remedy without any of the need to consume sleeping aids or drastically change our lifestyle.

If you’re interested in trying out a blanket for yourself, then you could a lot worse than YNM, who are currently the best-selling weighted blanket manufacturer on the market. You can check out their recently relaunched website here for more information.