Sales of weighted blankets have soared in recent years. While the research behind the purported health benefits of weighted blankets is still fairly inconclusive, those who swear by them say that hunkering down under the added weight helps to reduce anxiety and, in some cases, relieve insomnia.

As we've mentioned when talking about the materials, breathability is very important – especially for hot sleepers. So, generally, you want a cover for your weighted blanket that utilises some sort of breathable fabric. Typically, bamboo, cotton, and eucalyptus are safe bets. Like all Bearaby blankets, the Nappling is made using a layer upon layer design rather than the usual weighted bead design. This improves breathability and allows for a more even weight distribution throughout the blanket. This blanket is made from 100% organic cotton, which is a material known for its durability, breathability, and softness.

The Hush Iced 2.0 Cooling Weighted Blanket is designed specifically for hot sleepers or people who plan to use the blanket in warm seasons or hotter climates. Available in multiple sizes and weight options, the blanket is appropriate for many different body types and ages. With the recent rise in popularity of weighted blankets, it can be challenging to narrow down your options. We’ll discuss some key factors to consider when shopping for your perfect cooling weighted blanket. What to Consider When Purchasing a Weighted Blanket A weighted blanket may induce the sensation of being hugged, swaddled, or gently held. This engages the ‘5 senses’ by ‘grounding’ or ‘earthing,’ which in turn may induce a relaxing state and sense of calmness. The weighted blanket may gently push down on the body, helping you feel safe, secure, or in a protected space. Just as a firm, warm, and cozy hug can be a powerful agent for relaxation, a weighted blanket may help you wind down and de-stress before bed.” This is because some children might have tactile sensitivities and simply not like the feeling of the weighted blanket. However, at the same time, other sources have claimed that weighted blankets can help lower this hypersensitivity to touch.

Bamboo Viscose Blanket Cover: Remove the bamboo viscose cover and place the cover in the washer, machine wash in cold water. Tumble dry on low. While weighted blankets might get a bad rap for being too stuffy for hot sleepers, there are plenty of cooling options on the market that won’t make you overheat. The best cooling weighted blankets are made of breathable materials, making them comfortable enough to use year-round. The blanket comes in twin, queen, and king sizes to accommodate single sleepers and couples who like sharing weighted blankets. There is also a teen size with slightly smaller dimensions than the twin. The teen is available in a 12-pound option and the twin is available in 15 and 20 pounds. The queen comes only in a 20-pound version, while the king is sold in a 30- or 35-pound option.In other words, weighted blankets can help but don't assume that they 100% will. Talk to a medical professional, try it out, and don't be afraid to search for other means if the weighted blanket doesn't seem to calm you down. Do you have to have a weighted blanket to deal with stress, anxiety, and ASD? The main priority is that it feels comforting, not too heavy and not too light. It is always a good idea, where possible, to try a few different weights around the 10 per cent guide, to see what feels good. The blanket should encourage the feeling of rest and relaxation and help soothe and calm the body and mind. It’s important to choose a texture that feels soothing too, nothing that will irritate your skin.” Is it OK to sleep with a weighted blanket every night? It may also help to stimulate the vagus nerve to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which signals to the body that it is time to unwind and relax. The blankets can be useful for people who struggle to relax or have problems getting to sleep.” Machine wash cover only:For these blankets, you’ll need to separate the inner shell housing the beads or pellets from its outer cover. Unless the care instructions say otherwise, you can wash and dry the cover in a machine. Spot-cleaning with water and mild detergent is usually advised for the inner shell. What this means for you: Do you enjoy fabrics that give you the feels? Then you’re going to love our new blanket. It is like wrapping yourself in a velvety cloud - you won’t want to get out of the bed in the mornings!

To earn a spot on our roundup of the best weighted blankets, throws had to win the approval of our panel of testers. If you've never tried a weighted blanket before, you may be wondering if it's for you. We asked sleep expert James Wilson (aka The Sleep Geek) to share his advice.

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Temperature plays an important role in our ability to fall and stay asleep, so when our bodies are too warm (either because of the room temperature or our bedding), it can disrupt our sleep stages,” says Dr. Polos. “The cooling aspect of a weighted blanket can further assist with the promotion of sleep. The cooling pulls heat away from our body, which aids with decreasing our internal core temperature, a factor in maintaining quality sleep.” With more than 30 colors, 10 weights, and five sizes to choose from, this YnM Weighted Blanket is designed to perfectly fit every need. The small quilting and layered design ensure that the glass beads don’t shift or leak, while the cotton exterior is soft to the touch. The silky-smooth texture felt nice on our skin, with no scratchiness. We also appreciated the blanket’s consistent weight–no matter how we moved in bed, the comfort remained the same in any position. It is believed that weighted blankets promote relaxation and ease sleep onset by triggering the release of sleep and happiness hormones while reducing the production of natural steroids like cortisol. Fittingly, the most important consideration when choosing a weighted blanket is how light or heavy it feels. Other factors that may affect your decision include materials, sizes, colors, prices, and whether or not the blanket can be returned if you are dissatisfied with it. What to Consider When Purchasing a Weighted Blanket

You can select a weight of 15, 20, or 35 pounds for your Gravity Blanket. Those who weigh at least 150 pounds should find one of these options comfortable. All blanket sizes share the same measurements of 48 inches wide and 72 inches long with the exception of the queen/king model, which is 35 pounds (90 inches by 90 inches) and great for couples. This is where the 10 per cent rule comes into play. Basically, this just means that you don't want to get a weighted blanket that's heavier than 10 per cent of your body weight. So, if you weigh 80 kg, try to find a weighted blanket that's around 8 kg. 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.Most weighted blanket covers are removable and can be washed and dried in a household machine. In some cases, the entire blanket can be laundered at home. Alternatively, you may need to spot clean or dry clean your blanket to prevent early wear and tear. Generally, if a weighted blanket has a lot of padding, you might not feel the filling coming through that much. For some this is ideal but others might prefer a slightly “rougher” approach. Secondly, don't overlook the size of the blanket. Just like it's important to get the right weight, you also want to nail the size of the weighted blanket. In most cases, weighted blankets will be filled with plastic poly pellets, micro glass beads, steel shot beads or in some cases even sand or grain. We’d suggest steering clear of the organic fillings. As you'll soon see, weighted blankets with organic fillings tend to be a nightmare when it comes to keeping them clean. We prioritize safety during our weighted blanket tests. As a rule, the weight of each tester must represent at least 10% of the blanket’s weight for all testing stages. If we are evaluating a blanket for couples, both participants must meet this weight threshold.