Are there risks when using a weighted blanket? There are very few risks for using a weighted blanket. However, according to manufacturers, weighted blankets shouldn't be used for toddlers under 2 years old, as it may increase the risk of suffocation.
The pellets or glass beads can fall out and become a choking hazard. The heavy blanket could cover a child's face while they sleep. If you have sleep apnea, breathing problems, or any chronic health condition, check with your doctor before you use a weighted blanket.
Should Everyone Use a Weighted Blanket? Adults and older children can use weighted blankets as bed covers or for relaxing during the day. They are safe to use for sleeping throughout the night.
While not particularly common, weighted blankets can exacerbate symptoms in people with chronic respiratory and circulatory issues. Additionally, they can pose health risks for very young children, frail adults and dementia patients.
Weighted blankets may help anxiety. While more research is needed, 2020 research reported that weighted blankets may be helpful in relieving anxiety by helping with emotional and physical regulation. In another study, 63 percent of participants reported lower levels of anxiety after using a weighted blanket.
A weighted blanket may be able to promote muscle relaxation in light snorers, but those who experience heavy snoring and untreated moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea should not use weighted blankets because they can worsen the condition.
but there's always the risk that your weighted blanket will turn into a crutch and you'll become dependent on it. “They can become so strongly associated with falling asleep that a person might eventually have a hard time falling asleep without the weighted blanket,” says Schneeberg.
Weighted blankets work equally well for both side sleepers and those who sleep on their back or stomach. For side sleepers who are choosing between two weights that are otherwise the same - for instance our Full/Queen 15lb or 20lb options - we would suggest trying the lighter weight.
The amount of time you use your weighted blanket is up to you. Some sleep consultants recommend using it for 20 to 30 minutes at a time, while others sleep with it overnight. As you test it out, decide based on your preferences and what you find is most comfortable.
If you stick out your feet out of your blanket in the winter season then it might make you feel cold and you might have to get the feet back inside your blankets, this can eventually lead to disturbance in sleep.
Weighted blankets may be unsuitable for people with certain medical conditions, including chronic respiratory or circulatory issues, sleep apnea, asthma, low blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, epilepsy, and claustrophobia.
What are the pros and cons of this trend? Pros: using a weighted blanket offers a drug-free way to help you cope with anxiety, fall asleep easier, sleep deeper, and wake up feeling restored. Cons: conventional weighted blankets can be too hot to sleep under and aren't eco-friendly.
People with certain conditions, such as asthma or diabetes, should talk to their healthcare provider before using weighted blankets, since they might affect breathing or circulation.
A blanket heavier than 35 pounds is more likely to cause discomfort because: The blanket begins to cause your body temperature to rise. It will place too much pressure on your joints throughout the night. It will make you feel restricted.
Since they mimic the sensation of being held, weighted blankets also have the same health-promoting benefits of hugging, such as decreased stress, lower blood pressure, and improved mood. Weighted blankets are also considered a form of deep pressure therapy (DPT).
This faulty formula can actually result in aches, pains, and joint compression. A weighted blanket does not need to be crazy heavy as a whole. It simply needs to give that "just right" little bit of pressure on as many nerves as possible.
For best results, we recommend sleeping on your back. This way, it covers your entire body with an even pressure. You can sleep on your side, but this means less area covered by the blanket.
It Will Be Uncomfortable
A blanket heavier than 35 pounds is more likely to cause discomfort because: The blanket begins to cause your body temperature to rise. It will place too much pressure on your joints throughout the night. It will make you feel restricted.
Your feet can be covered or uncovered, whichever you prefer. It might be a good idea to just use it on certain parts of your body first, to allow you to adjust to the feeling of it. To reap the long-term benefits, incorporate your weighted blanket into your daily routine.
The position you sleep in makes a difference when choosing a weighted blanket. Stomach sleepers, for instance, will likely find that using a weighted blanket increases the pressure on their lower spine, which can cause low back pain throughout the day.
If you can, it's important to choose a weighted blanket that is 10 percent of your body weight or one to two pounds heavier. This ensures you're getting the most out of your blanket and experiencing the deep touch pressure that will leave you calm and relaxed.
This is a common misconception about a weighted blanket. While these blankets are heavier than regular comforters, this does not mean the blankets are too hot. In fact, you can enjoy a weighted blanket even if you're having hot flashes or are prone to overheating.
As a rule of thumb, the weight of a weighted blanket should be about 10% of your body weight. Of course, the ideal weighted blanket weight depends on what feels right to you. Preferred weights can vary between 5% and 12% of the sleeper's weight.
Weighted blankets are known to cause you to dream more. This is because they tend to ease people into REM sleep—the deepest, most restful stage of sleep where dreams take place. And studies show that dreams are good for us.
The heaviness of a weighted blanket may cause difficulties for people with certain preexisting conditions, such as: Asthma: A weighted blanket may worsen breathing difficulties in people with asthma.