Usually, it may take around a week to get adjusted to a weighted blanket although; to start experiencing the benefits of a weighted blanket one must wait around three weeks. It might take anywhere from three weeks to four weeks (21 days to 28 days) to develop an activity into a habit.
Seriously though, whether it's your first night using your new weighted blanket or you've used one for years, the benefits of our most popular weighted blanket, the Napper, are usually felt almost immediately.
Many people find that adding a weighted blanket to their sleep routine helps to reduce stress and promote calm. In the same way as a hug or a baby's swaddle, the gentle pressure of a weighted blanket may help ease symptoms and improve sleep for people with insomnia, anxiety, or autism.
The short answer is yes, you should sleep with your weighted blanket every night just like any other blanket. It's okay to miss a night here and there, but in order to maximise the psychological benefits of Deep Pressure Stimulation you need to sleep with your weighted blanket consistently during the week.
After some time, a weighted blanket can become thinner and lighter due to wear and tear. It would not be heavy enough to apply deep touch pressure so it won't be a therapy blanket anymore. The fabric can also become too uncomfortable to the touch, giving you more stress than alleviating it.
A common question that we receive is how heavy should a weighted blanket be? The answer to this question depends entirely on the person using the blanket. As a general rule of thumb, we would recommend that our blanket be approximately 10% of the user's body weight. This is where the blanket will be most effective.
Determining how heavy your weighted blanket should be is fairly easy. The general weighted blanket guidelines for adults is 10 percent of your own body weight. Usually, a weighted blanket should be between 12 to 20 pounds for adults.
Sleep position matters. Side sleepers should choose a lighter blanket than back or belly sleepers. Weighted blankets work well for side sleepers by using Deep Touch Pressure, which helps you feel relaxed and less stressed. Sleeping on your left side may help improve digestive health and reduce heartburn symptoms.
Sleep Position
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.
The short answer is yes, you can use a weighted blanket with a duvet. But be sure to put the blanket on top of the duvet for best results.
Cover your entire body: For full relaxation, cover your entire body from your shoulders down to your feet. If needed, you can use just half of the blanket (over your legs) for the first few days to let your body adjust. Lying on your back can help evenly distribute the weight, but by no means is it required.
For adults, we recommend choosing a weighted blanket that's roughly 10 percent of your body weight, and if you're a bit below or in between available weights, it's okay to bump up to the next heaviest.
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.
They are safe to use for sleeping throughout the night. However, they are not for everyone. They are not recommended for children under the age of 2, for example. If you have conditions including obstructive sleep apnea, asthma, or claustrophobia, you should consult with a doctor before pulling up the covers.
Weighted blankets can provide relaxation and comfort to some sleepers, but pose potential health and safety risk to others. This is especially true for people with conditions that affect breathing because a blanket that is too heavy can restrict airflow and make breathing more difficult.
Weighted blankets work equally well for both side sleepers and those who sleep on their back or stomach.
Do weighted blankets make you sleep hot? They do not have to. Weighted blankets are heavy, so they can trap heat and moisture, making a person sleep hot. However, some weighted blankets are breathable and have a heat-wicking material to keep the body cool during sleep.
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.
When your weighted blanket is ready for a deep clean, you may choose to wash it in a washing machine or by hand in a bathtub or sink. Either way, choose a mild detergent without bleach and wash the blanket in cold or warm water, as many weighted blankets can't handle hot water.
Two weighted blankets can also benefit those who require additional deep touch stimulation. For example, a person suffering from anxiety attack could use the benefits of two weighted blankets. However, during these cases, make sure you keep an eye on the user.
Weighted blankets are smaller than traditional comforters because they're meant to cover your body, not the bed. Your body needs between 14-21 days to adjust to the blanket.