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.
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.
You're Relying On Your Weighted Blanket Too Much
“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.
A new study in Sweden has potentially linked the use of weighted blankets to increased melatonin production. Melatonin is a hormone that plays an important role in the sleep-wake cycle.
Objectively, we found that sleep bout time increased, as well as a decrease in movements of the participants, during weighted blanket use. Subjectively, the participants liked sleeping with the blanket, found it easier to settle down to sleep and had an improved sleep, where they felt more refreshed in the morning.
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.
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.
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. Turns out, side sleepers may also have some of the best sleep quality.
Weighted blankets may help some people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or ADHD who are overstimulated by noise around them. At bedtime, the blanket's pressure may help them feel safe and protected. They calm down and get some rest.
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.
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.
As we mentioned previously, the ideal weighted blanket weight is roughly 10% of your body weight. Most weighted blankets come in a variety of sizes and weights to accommodate a range of body weights. If you're not sure what works best for you, we recommend rounding down and opting for the lighter weighted blanket.
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.
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.
Usually, a weighted blanket between 12 to 20 pounds is ideal for adults, depending on body weight.
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.
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.
A weighted blanket has been shown to be highly effective for many people with ADHD. If you live with ADHD, you may find that a weighted blanket helps to calm your mind and focus your thoughts. If sleep problems are part of your condition, a weighted blanket may be especially effective.
Weighted blankets have been shown to relieve the unpleasant symptoms of RLS. This comes down to something called Deep Touch Pressure therapy, which happens when you place evenly-distributed weight over your body, triggering pressure points that help in the production of some key relaxation and sleep hormones.
If you're looking for a complementary approach to managing your arthritis pain, a weighted blanket could be a great option. Weighted blankets can potentially reduce your pain and stress, all while giving you the best sleep of your life.