Sleep well with an extra heavy blanket
The weighted blanket is popular. More and more people are buying such an extra heavy blanket, because you can sleep more peacefully and deeply with it. Is that correct? And is sleeping with such a blanket really nice? Healthnet tested it for you.
For the test I use a weighted blanket from Somnox: a Dutch company that specializes in innovative sleeping solutions, such as the Sleeping robot and therefore also the weighted blanket.
Deep pressure stimulation
What does the weighted blanket promise? It is said to help people calm down, provide relaxation and a deeper sleep. This all has to do with the pressure of the extra weight in the blanket: based on a therapeutic technique that deep pressure stimulation (deep pressure stimulation). That pressure stimulates the production of serotonin (happiness hormone) and melatonin (sleep hormone), so that you can relax mentally and physically while you fall asleep.
People who sleep badly or suffer from stress and anxiety can benefit from it. It can also be a good tool for people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or ADHD. I am a worrier and prone to stress, so my nights are quite hit and miss. One night I sleep very well and deeply, while the next night I sleep very restless and light.
I heard positive experiences with the weighted blanket everywhere – both online and in my own environment. For example, I read that people do indeed fall asleep more peacefully, sleep more deeply and wake up more rested. This seemed delicious!
Too heavy
Unfortunately I had a different experience. I tried the blanket for two evenings, but before nightfall I pushed it aside again. Both times I got pain in my shoulder and head. That couldn’t be a coincidence. It turned out that the blanket is a bit too heavy for me and that some people can indeed get these complaints. Somnox recommends going for a lighter version, in my case a children’s version weighing four kilograms. Just as the choice for a bed is very personal, this also applies to a weighted blanket.
Body weight
It is generally recommended to choose a blanket that is about ten percent of your body weight. Although my seven-kilogram blanket turned out to be too heavy, when in doubt, it’s best to go for heavier than lighter.
I tested a medium format of 150 x 200 centimeters. In my case, I received a summer cover that is easy to remove and wash at 40 degrees. The blanket itself can also be washed in the washing machine, but first check whether your washing machine can handle the weight. The cover also feels very nice and airy, perfect for warm summer nights. I found that the heaviness of the blanket did not make it extra warm.
Lighter variant
Conclusion? The result was disappointing for me, but I think that if I had tested a lighter version, I would have had a more positive experience with the blanket. I can imagine that it helps people to sleep. If you experience this yourself, you can simply exchange the blanket for a lighter one. No problem!
I now enjoy using the blanket on the couch. When I wrap it all around me, it really feels like a big hug. My tip: just try the blanket – you can get it via the Online store of Somnox for thirty nights – and see if it’s for you. Maybe it will give you a wonderful, deep sleep!
This article was written in collaboration with somnox: a Dutch company that specializes in innovative sleeping solutions, such as the Sleep Robot and weighted blanket.
