Do weighted blankets help you sleep better? Here’s what to know

By ADITHI RAMAKRISHNAN, Related Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Rhonda James was skeptical when her husband ordered a weighted blanket for her on-line. However 5 minutes after she wrapped it round her physique, she zonked out.

“It felt like a very huge hug,” mentioned James, a banker in Charleston, South Carolina.

As exterior temperatures develop chilly, weighted blankets is usually a standard option to heat up. Some folks say the added stress helps them soothe the worries of the day and get to sleep faster.

However analysis on the effectiveness of weighted blankets is restricted. Right here’s what to know.

What’s a weighted blanket?

Weighted blankets include further heft within the type of glass beads, pellets, cotton or one other filling. Scientists haven’t studied precisely how the blankets work, however they’ve a couple of concepts.

The blankets’ agency contact might calm the mind’s fight-or-flight response, mentioned Dr. Neal Walia, a sleep medication professional at UCLA Well being.

“The evenly distributed weight on you tells your physique, ‘Hey, you’re in a peaceful setting,’” he mentioned.

The additional stress additionally might sign the mind to launch what’s referred to as the love hormone, also called oxytocin. It’s produced throughout bonding and cuddling, and can even decrease anxiousness, Walia mentioned.

How do I take advantage of a weighted blanket?

For many wholesome adults, consultants say to decide on a blanket that’s about 10% of their physique weight. So a 150-pound particular person might go for a 15-pound blanket.

Weighted blankets aren’t really helpful for infants or toddlers since they will hinder motion and respiratory.

Individuals with sleep apnea, sleep-related issues or respiratory issues ought to test with a physician earlier than utilizing a weighted blanket.

The blankets aren’t for everybody and every particular person will get the perfect out of their blanket in a different way. For instance, some might discover them too sizzling to make use of throughout hotter months.

And the additional swaddling comes at a price: high quality weighted blankets can vary from $50 to over $300 relying on the scale, weight and materials.

James takes hers out of the closet to unwind when she’s watching TV or sipping a glass of wine.

Lucy Taylor, a contract author from Wales, makes use of her blanket to go to sleep when her anxiousness spikes in the course of the winter.

“If my physique’s relaxed, my thoughts follows swimsuit,” she mentioned.

Can weighted blankets enhance sleep?

There isn’t a ton of analysis on whether or not weighted blankets truly work, and the research that do exist are on small teams. Most research don’t deal with the typical sleeper. As a substitute, they examine whether or not weighted blankets may also help folks with power sleep issues, psychological well being situations or developmental issues.

There are some hints that weighted blankets may also help with anxiousness, power ache and sleep. However the analysis isn’t conclusive.

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