Hello! Earthen Sojourner here. Today, I am going to answer the question- do weighted blankets help you sleep better?
My goal is to help folks navigate through the aging journey with humor, joy and wellness. If you are a baby boomer or a gen xer- you know getting old is not for weaklings! You gotta bring your A game- physically, emotionally and spiritually.
As an Earthen Sojurner , I am taking a look at all of the things you can possibly bring to enhance your journey.
Let me know what you bring your A(ging) game by listing it in the comments section below and let’s talk weighted blankets.
I am a 30 plus year insomniac. I don’t have real problems falling asleep, but I wake up frequently throughout the night and struggle to get back to sleep. My son probably thought if weighted blankets work- my mom needs one. SO he bought me a 15lb Pendleton weighted blanket.
This is the blanket I have.
I didn’t really know what to expect. It was heavy. It felt slippery. I needed help getting it out of the box! I didn’t think that boded well for getting on the bed.
I didn’t really know what a good night’s sleep felt like. I have suffered with periods of insomnia and interrupted sleep for as long as I can remember. I am a skeptic, but I also am willing to try anything that might help.
Let’s see…. I’ve tried OTC sleep aids, melatonin. sound machines, magneseum, medidation, deep breathing, and Tylenol PM, is was my go to to correct wakefullness that had persisted for over a week. No warm milk- lactose intolerant. I have tried all of the other recommendations like- don’t eat after 5pm, don’t drink after 5pm, wind down, no computer or tv time right before bed…on and on. Many of those things work, for short periods of time, but who wants to do them every night FOREVER?
And if you follow me- you know I talk about my challenges with STICK -TO- IT- TIVE -NESS.
So do weighted blankets work for insomnia and better quality sleep? I would have to yes. My sleep is of a better quality.
The science behind using a weighted blanket is fairly a well-known and a proven relaxation therapy that is used for people with stress and chronic anxiety. It’s called deep pressure stimulation (DPS). The simplest explanation is that it involves firm pressure applied to the body that calms the nervous system. It is what happens when you swaddle a baby. Cuddles and hugs. For most babies we know that works to calm them down. It makes them feel warm, secure and safe.
Science says that firm gentle pressure (in the form of a weighted blanket) can relieve stress, improve sleep, calm children , and aid in the treatment of anxiety disorders. Here is some science if you need it.
I have a full size blanket because my husband and I have slept with separate blankets for years and he’s a cover hog, when he sleeps with covers. He also doesn’t like the weight.
The first couple nights were interesting. The blanket felt very heavy. I get up to use the bathroom at least one time per night. It was like manual labor to get it situated and back into position. The job at hand would actually cause me to wake up more fully. And heaven forbid, if the weighted blanket slid halfway off the bed or onto the floor.
By the end of the week, I made sure I turned it back on the bed when I got up so I could slide in. I had a couple nights that I didn’t get up at all. In the first couple weeks of usage, I took melatonin before bed also. I have been using the blanket about 6 months and many nights I don’t even make my bathroom trip. I also cut out the melatonin and haven’t used it for over 4 months. Not needing the melatonin is supported in the science– as weighted blankets help to increase the production of melatonin and serotonin. I still do some of the other bedtime rituals, like breathing/meditation and winding down, but those are good for many reasons. For the most part- it is just me and my weighted blanket, sleeping pretty good.
So, I have to say that weighted blankets work. I am going to put it to another test though. I plan to add some science by tracking my sleep on my fitbit with and without the weighted blanket in an upcoming video.
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I wanted to answer a couple questions I’ve gotten from folks
Is it hot? No, it is actually cool. Yet not cold. I used a lighter blanket on top during the colder nights. It is filled with even distributed glass microbeads.
Is it too heavy? How can you breathe? It might be heavy for some people, but the blankets come in different weights. If you have breathing issues, weighted blankets may be contraindicated. If not, and you feel constricted- try a lighter weight. It did take me about a week to 10 days to get used to the “heavy” feeling.
If you decide to try it, again here is the one I have.
Don’t forget to comment below what you bring to your A(ging) game.
Earthen Sojourner 