Silentnight Wellbeing Weighted Blanket – Heavy 9kg Weighted Anxiety Gravity Blanket for Sensory Anxiety Therapy Insomnia Stress Relief – King Size - 150 x 200cm

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The central feature of weighted blankets is that they promote a co-called grounding sensation. This works by applying subtle levels of pressure on the user as they sleep, forcing them slightly deeper into their mattress. For example, when talking about children with ASD, some sources have put forward alternatives – like different types of massages. These can be done by the parents at no cost and might even fair better than a weighted blanket in certain cases.

The most common recommendation is that a weighted blanket should be around 10% of your body weight. However, this varies from person to person and you must feel comfortable under the blanket. It’s important that you feel relaxed but not too constricted. You should be able to move around easily if you need to. However, it's important to note that some weighted blankets also have their own “cooling system”. Usually, this means that the weighted blanket has multiple layers that are designed to maximise airflow. You can also use a duvet cover that's extra breathable if the weighted blanket itself has a stuffy cover. Weighted blankets tend to come at various weight points. And some weighted blankets have only one weight option. And, as a general rule of thumb, you don't want to overdo it and get a weighted blanket that's too heavy for your build. It’s possible to use the blankets overnight if they feel good and the user is comfortable doing so, but short periods of time up to 20-30 minutes can also be helpful to slow down and encourage rest during busy or stressful times. It comes down largely to personal preference and comfort.”As they release feel-good chemicals to your brain, most people that use them find that they help to relieve anxiety symptoms, and promote relaxation. She took into consideration the price, quality, and the available options when putting together the final review for each blanket. FAQs How does a weighted blanket work? Weighted blankets are typically filled with thousands of tiny glass beads that apply light pressure to the user. This pressure can have a soothing, calming effect on the body, says Nichola Henderson, a holistic life, self-development coach and wellness specialist.

In most cases, weighted blankets will also feature an outer fabric cover. These might be firmly stitched in place, allowing you to launder the blanket in its entirety, or removable. Outer Cover/Layer And if you go to one of the many communities for people with ASD, we're sure you'll find a treasure trove of different advice. To earn a spot on our roundup of the best weighted blankets, throws had to win the approval of our panel of testers.

Brentfords weighted blanket

When starting to use a weighted blanket, start with approximately 10 minutes and observe the change in your body and mind before and after use,” suggests Henderson. “Make sure it feels comfortable, secure, and you can move it easily as needed. If it feels good after that time, then you can increase the time to 20-25 minutes and again just observe how you feel after that time. A very important consideration is cleaning, especially if you plan to use it as a bed cover. It either needs to be washable or come with a washable cover. And remember, if it’s washable but too heavy for your washing machine, that’ll be a problem. There are four main points to consider when choosing a weighted blanket. The first is choosing the right weight for your body size and you can read more on that below. Secondly, it’s important to choose the right size blanket. They come in a variety of lengths and widths so if you intend to use it at night, make sure you get the right size for your bed or your side of the bed. For one, the ground effect that these blankets produce will limit the production of steroid hormones like cortisol. In and of itself, stress hormones aren’t a negative thing, yet they can be produced subconsciously if the sleeper is experiencing a nightmare. When this happens, the anti-anxiety relief that melatonin provides is counterbalanced and sleep quality is significantly decreased. Their additional weight mimics a therapeutic technique called “deep pressure therapy”. Like a loving hug, this triggers the release of serotonin and dopamine, also known as the “happy hormones”. That's why many people find a weighted blanket helps to soothe anxiety and encourage a peaceful night's sleep.

Not every adult will benefit from a weighted blanket, either. In fact, in some instances, using them can be harmful and produce distressing side effects. People who suffer from respiratory ailments should generally avoid using weighted blankets, with the added bulk a potential risk to breathing function. As a general rule, an adult user who wants to reap the biggest benefits from a weighted blanket should seek one that weighs in at no more of a tenth of their overall body weight. However, slightly lighter options should yield good results. For additional information on washing and drying a weighted blanket, feel free to take a look at ourin-depth weighted blanket washing guide. ConclusionAccording to research, applying “firm, but gentle” pressure, otherwise known as deep touch pressure, stimulates our body's parasympathetic system.

Some people prefer the lighter feel of a duvet, says Henderson, and she suggests using something you already have at home to evaluate if the sensation of sleeping under a weighted blanket is for you. “Using a few large bath towels on top of your duvet can give you a good alternative feeling of how the weighted blanket might feel before you invest in one.” If you can't get a blanket exactly the right weight, that's ok – if in doubt, choose an option on the lighter side. Henderson recommends that people with a medical condition or concerns about using a weighted blanket consult a medical professional before investing. And young children should be supervised when using a weighted blanket. How to wash a weighted blanketPlus, once the ties were used to secure the weighted blanket inside the cover, it was not moving anywhere and stayed in place until we removed it for washing. We tested this weighted blanket in the 6.8kg option, but a heavier 9kg version is available too. A weighted blanket can help you to feel safe and reduce restlessness, but it really does depend on the individual. We delve a bit further into the topic and talk to some experts in this article. Lastly, be mindful of how you layer your weighted blankets during colder months. If the weighted blanket is breathable, you can cover yourself with the weighted blanket and then throw on a duvet on top. However, if the cover is a bit more stuffy, you can do it the other way around and rely on the duvet cover instead. As well as helping to alleviate symptoms of anxiety, we heard rumours that weighted blankets could improve your sleep.