You’ve tried everything. You’ve made sure you room is dark, cool, and quiet. You had that last glass of wine at least three hours before bedtime. Sleepytime tea, melatonin supplements, ocean sounds, rain sounds, binaural sleep sounds. Good ol’ fashioned Nyquil. You’ve run the gamut and still have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or both.
You’re certainly not alone. Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder, and studies show that, on average, a quarter of the adult population has trouble sleeping. It’s estimated that 6% to 10% have an insomnia disorder. No one has to say out loud that insomnia can have serious negative ramifications on our health and well being- everyone pretty much already knows. Experts have said time and again that the average adult needs at least 7-9 hours a night.
So what else can we do? Well, recently, we’ve discovered the magic of the weighted blanket.
Weighted blankets usually weigh between 5-30 pounds, and they can be a game-changer. Why? It turns out the pressure from the extra weight can act as a sort of therapeutic technique- similar to deep-pressure massage.
Deep pressure massage calms and relaxes the nervous system (acupressure does as well), and in so doing, can help lessen anxiety and relieve pain.
Weighted blankets are commonly used to ease symptoms of so many disorders: ADHD, autism, chronic pain, and osteoarthritis to make a few. They’re also a life-saver for those suffering from anxiety, insomnia, and sleep disorders.
When choosing a weighted blanket, the general guideline for adults 10% of your body weight. Pick based on the size of your bed (king, queen, etc.). If you have a hard time turning over or shifting under the blanket, go lighter.
Weighted blankets aren’t recommended for children under two for safety reasons, as well as those with sleep apnea, asthma, and issues with claustrophobia.
If you’re tossing and turning at night, watching the clock creep forward and stressing about your steadily disappearing sleep time- a weighted blanket may be for you!
Give it a try. If you already use one, leave us a comment below- we’d love to hear about your experiences using a weighted blanket and how (if) it enhanced your sleep experience.