I Try A Weighted Blanket For 30 Nights To Improve My Sleep

I have had trouble sleeping in the last few months and after searching online I discovered something called a "weighted blanket". It's also branded as a gravity or anti-anxiety blanket, and it's exactly what it sounds like - a blanket that weighs much more than your average duvet.

There is some science behind it that you can look up if you wish, but the general idea is that the downward pressure has a calming influence on you, almost like getting a nice reassuring hug. The one I bought was a budget option at £43 and I've seen some priced well over £100.

They should be 10-12% of your own body-weight but the best budget one I found was 6.8kg (I'm 72kg) and I hoped the difference wouldn't matter (spoiler: it did). Despite being a bit light I felt I was benefitting from its use and from the first night I could feel the positive impact of using it. The main benefit was how it influenced my thoughts and allowed me to be calmer and less anxious, thereby allowing me to fall asleep faster and wake less frequently in the middle of the night.

Right now (early October, 12 degrees C overnight) I'm sleeping with a double duvet and the weighted blanket placed on top, but during summer I had to switch to a duvet cover + weighted blanket, and then abandon the weighted blanket entirely during a heatwave. The duvet (cover) provides padding which helps dampen the firmness of the blanket, and as I'm aligned with others in being sceptical about machine washing it this also allows me to minimise direct bodily contact with it.

While there are many reasons people can have disrupted sleep, with everything that's gone on in 2020 I can imagine many people being in a similar situation to me where their sleep has been negatively effected. I do recommend the book for those who haven't covered the basics like installing black out blinds and eliminating caffeine before 2pm, but if your problem is anxiety then I believe the blanket could help.

[AmyInArizona]

I love my weighted blanket❣️ I have major anxiety and it helps so much.

[hparkersd]

I bought one and it made a world of difference. I slept so well the first week that I started recommending it to others.

[rmydclk]

Thank you so much! Your video was extremely helpful to me! I’m in the process of buying a weights blanket and I so appreciated getting real feedback from a real user, and you had so many great insights. Thank you so much for sharing! I wish you good luck on your good sleep journey and happy new year!

[natalieruby]

I have an older pillow that has bunched up gel foam in it and a thick pillow case. I put the pillow on top of my blankets that are on top of my ankles, it helps me stay asleep. Sounds weird, but it helps the anxiety I get in my legs

[debbieviebranz]

I found that for me, it was important to completely shut the heat off. Then, I had no trouble with overheating. I love it!

[irenewoolsey]

Hello I like to say this is going grow to suport for many ..I'm 60 diagnosed with COPD, and in a short time there's noticeable difference..I feel more grounded ..breathing more normal while walking ..anxiety gone ..Looking forward to other medium like radio to talk about this ..

[danielleblanc]

For those wondering how a weighted blanket could make a difference.
It is basically "giving a hug" all night which your mind can find comforting and the corresponding hormonal reactions kicks in.

[Listenme]

Always wondered what those were like, however regular blankets are too heavy for me.

[theboardshorts]

Thank you so much for taking the time and effort to make this video. I also suffer from everything you mentioned. I also very often get far too hot in bed and use a 4.5 tog duvet all year round, even the deepest darkest nights of winter. I still wake up with that awful clammy, sticky feeling.

I eventually splashed out on a portable air conditioner to deal with the heat in the summer 2020 heatwave you mentioned (that's the one I'm guessing you were referring to) and it was honestly worth absolutely every penny.

I'm now researching weighted blankets for the insomnia and anxiety (which unfortunately I am currently medicated for) in the hope that one could work for me.

Thank you again for this brilliant video which answered everything I wanted to know.

Brilliant. 😊

[sbalaga]

Literally got a 30lb weighted blanket from Amazon yesterday and arrived today. I liked it initially but after I got up this morning I realized its way too heavy so I am definitely going to opt for something much lighter, probably around 12-15lbs. I will check back with you guys and let you know if that is more appropriate.

[belindagore]

I am desperately wanting one of these. I have restless leg syndrome and have depression, anxiety and physical pain after 23 years of serious domestic abuse. I managed to get out of the bad relationship but struggle a lot with stress and the conditions mentioned. I need one of these it unfortunately can't afford one because I am on benefits after being left permanently disabled by my ex...

[eliasrosa]

I often wake up like 3am and do the same (how much )sleep calculations lol.

[karenpugh]

Thank you for your review, very informative and clear

[jxn]

Turn your wifi off and turn on a fan and keep temp 65 - 67 F

[denisetaylor]

I’ve had mine for nearly a year and the glass beads seem to have disintegrated? Some pockets don’t feel like they have any anymore! And some feel like sand. Is this normal? Anyone found this too?

[clip]

If wider blanket will it pull the weight more?

[donaldperry]

You look like an off-brand Johnny Sins