What’s a Weighted Blanket and Why You Should Get One

People who use them claim that they not only improve sleep, they relieve stress too. They are weighted blankets and, considering that you might be able to reduce your stress just by covering with one, many people want to know how do weighted blankets work.

But let’s start at the beginning.

What Are Weighted Blankets?

While the name is fairly self-explanatory, the reality is a bit different. Weighted blankets, also known as gravity blankets, or heavy blankets, are available in a wide range of throw sizes and you should choose one to fit your body, not your bed. 

They are filled with a ‘ballast’, usually plastic pellets, that are sewn into pockets throughout the blanket for even weight distribution. Blanket coverings are often made of cuddly fabrics to help make them even more comfortable

How Does a Weighted Blanket Work?

Charlie Brown’s buddy Linus isn’t the only one who gets comfort from a blanket. If you didn’t have one as a child, you have probably had a favourite blanket at some point in your life.

Building on our natural love of blankets, heavy blankets were developed after their creator, Dr. Temple Grandin, noticed that cows calmed down when they were held in a compression device to keep them still for vaccinations. In her subsequent research, Dr. Grandin found that applying gentle, yet firm pressure throughout the body, like with a hug, compression device or a heavy blanket, stimulates the release of the hormone oxytocin, also known as the love hormone, in the brain.

Why You Should Get One

In a nutshell, people have credited heavy blankets with so many benefits, perhaps the question should be: who wouldn’t at least try one? In addition to combating sleep disorders, including trouble falling asleep and helping you stay asleep, weighted blankets have been shown to help address symptoms of many other health conditions.

• Relieves Restless Leg Syndrome – Many restless leg sufferers also endure insomnia due to tingling sensations in their legs when they lie in bed, which forces them to constantly shift their legs. There’s evidence that the weight of the blanket helps reduce the symptoms.
• Can Improve Focus in People with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) – Research indicates that weighted blankets and deep pressure stimulation create a soothing effect that helps reduce restlessness, impulsiveness and anxiety in those with ADHD.
• Can Relieve Symptoms Of Panic Disorder, OCD and PTSD – IN addition to helping lower the intensity of symptoms like depression, weighted blankets have been linked to a reduction in blood pressure and heart rates. The results have been shown to help calm sufferers of post-traumatic stress syndrome, obsessive-compulsive disorder and panic disorder. 

Even if you’re not convinced that heavy blankets are for you, you owe it to your favourite blankets and duvets to take advantage of Parkers duvet dry cleaning service. We’ll pick them up for free and have them back in no time, looking and smelling clean and cuddly fresh.

If you enjoyed reading this post, check out our recent article “4 Habits to Help Keep Your Carpet Clean”.