What Size Weighted Blanket Should You Get?

If you haven’t heard about a weighted blanket, then you may need to check up this awesome bedding material. Many people have come to love it because of its numerous benefits: people who find it difficult to fall asleep at night have been able to get a good night’s rest with the aid of a weighted blanket, people with autism and other disorders have derived comfort with this material. It is a bedding material packed with many benefits.

Most people often ask how to choose a weighted blanket. It is an important question because if you’re going to enjoy the benefits in a weighted blanket, you must get the right size for yourself. 

The article will will guide you on how to choose a weighted blanket: what to look out for and will also show you why you should get one, if you haven’t purchased one. 

Let’s look at what a weighted blanket is

Weighted blankets: What are they? How do they work?

A weighted blanket is a heavy blanket, containing small objects that enhance its weight. Most of the time, these objects are plastic pellets or glass beads.

Weighted blankets have been in use for a long time. Occupational therapists employ them in treating sleep disorders, anxiety, autism and ADHD.

How does it work?

Weighted blankets provided deep touch pressure therapy which helps to produce a sense of calm and relieve stress. Deep touch pressure therapy works like a massage and helps to reduce pain, and relieve anxiety. It triggers the brain to produce a hormone called serotonin which produces a happy feeling.

Now that you know what a weighted blanket is and the mechanism through which it works, let’s consider how to choose a weighted blanket.

How do I choose a weighted blanket?

Choosing a weighted blanket differs with different age group. We will consider how to choose for each age group. However, bear in mind that experts agree that one should get a blanket that is 10% of one’s total body weight.

Weighted blanket for children

Kids with disorders such as autism use weighted blankets. Like the rule stated earlier, the blanket should be ten percent of their total body weight.

There are safety precautions to be considered, however. Never use a weighted blanket for a child of two years and below. This is because the child won’t be able to move the blanket on his own. Also, make sure the blanket doesn’t cover the head and neck of the child at any time.

Weighted blanket for adults

The ten percent rule applies here. However, this is not an unchanging rule. If a blanket that’s 10% of your weight feels too heavy or light, you can adjust the size to suit your taste.

Weighted blanket for couples

If you share a bed with your partner or any other member of your family, you can still use a weighted blanket. If your weights are almost similar and you’re okay using a weighted blanket, you are good to go. Just opt for a blanket that is the average of your weights.

More things to consider

Size: Don’t purchase a weighted blanket based by your bed size. A weighted blanket is made with your body need in mind. So, choose according to your body size. The blanket should be able to cover you from the chin to the feet, without draping over the edges of the bed. This can cause the weight distribution to be imbalanced and you don’t get that soothing and calming sensation you look for.

Materials: Check for the materials with which your weighted blanket is made. Don’t go for too cheap materials because they might not give you what you want.

Now that you know how to choose a weighted blanket, let’s consider a type of weighted blanket.

A type of weighted blanket

Now that you know the benefits of a weighted blanket, and how to choose one, you may be wondering which one is the best. Weighted blankets come in different materials, types and sizes. An organic weighted blanket gives you everything you want in a blanket and more. Because it’s made organically, an organic weighted blanket had hypoallergenic properties which is a plus for people with sensitive skins. It also has an additional cooling effect.

Conclusion

Now you know how to choose a weighted blanket, go get one for yourself and your family members. An organic weighted blanket is one of the best bet.