Heavy blankets or weighted blankets are not your regular blankets. They are specially designed to improve your sleep quality, reduce stress and anxiety, and relieve the system of certain neurological disorders by giving the user a better quality of life. They are known to work wonders for children with autism and anxiety issues.
If you have had insomnia or panic disorders, a heavy blanket could come to your aid. However, how do you know which one is the right blanket for you? Here is a brief guide to help you decide. You can look up sites like https://hevvyblankets.com for more information.
- Quality of the Blanket
The heavy blankets resemble oversize quilts and comforters, and some pockets are filled with beads and pellets so that they weigh down on the user, and the pockets are stitched up like patchwork. This is the tricky part. When you buy a heavy blanket, make sure the weight is evenly distributed.
Although these blankets are slightly more expensive than your regular ones, do not buy an inferior quality blanket to save some dollars. A low-quality blanket could feel lumpy with the pellets pressing on your skin or with the stitches ripping apart. Rather than inducing sleep, it will keep you up with discomfort.
- Weight of the Blanket
While buying a heavy blanket, follow the ten percent rule. The blanket should weigh about 10% of the person’s body weight. For children, it should be 10% of the child’s body weight and two additional pounds. While this is the starting point, the person’s sleep cycle, disorder, and stress levels will further determine the blanket’s weight. It should not be so heavy as to cause discomfort, or in children’s case, should not carry the risk of smothering the child.
- Weighted Blankets for Couples
If you have to choose a heavy blanket for couples, you should consider the persons’ preference and body weight. As long as both the partners are comfortable, this isn’t a problem. They can choose a blanket that is the closest to the average weight of the couple.
However, if the partners have very different body weights or one partner has more intense stress or anxiety symptoms than the other, it is advisable to use separate blankets. In terms of dimensions, you can use the chin to feet length to choose the blanket. Or else, if you have a large enough bed, you can go for the standard king or queen size.
- Weighted Blankets for Children
Weighted blankets are being used by therapists for quite some time, especially to treat children with autism. Co-sleeping with weighted blankets is a strict no-no. It would help if you did not use an adult blanket weighing 40 pounds on a 25-pound child. Since children, especially those below the age of 10, do not have advanced motor skills or strength, they might not even be able to remove the blanket if they feel suffocated.
You could also consider your therapist before buying a heavy blanket. Since they are meant to simulate deep touch, you will instantly feel warm and cuddled once you get under them, wrapping you in the sense of security. The right weight and size will make the process effective and serve your purpose ultimately.
