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What is the purpose of a heavy blanket?
Weighted blankets are heavy blankets used for therapeutic purposes, such as relieving anxiety and stress. Usually between five and 30 pounds, weighted blankets are filled with plastic pellets or glass beads. The added weight is designed to produce a calming effect when placed on the body.
Who should not use a weighted blanket?
A weighted blanket may be unsuitable for people with certain medical conditions, including chronic respiratory or circulatory issues, asthma, low blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and claustrophobia.
What is considered a heavy blanket?
Weighted blankets are exactly what they sound like — they’re heavy blankets (typically 15 pounds or more) filled with a material such as plastic pellets. The theory is that the deep pressure you feel from being under all of that weight has a calming effect.
How heavy should a blanket be?
Weighted Blanket Weight Chart Body Weight Range Weighted Blanket Weight Range 25-60 lbs. 2-6 lbs. 35-84 lbs. 3-8 lbs. 50-120 lbs. 5-12 lbs. 60-144 lbs. 6-14 lbs.
Do weighted blankets make you hot?
This is a common misconception about a weighted blanket. While these blankets are heavier than regular comforters, this does not mean the blankets are too hot. While flannel or fleece may feel soft to the touch, a weighted blanket created with these fabrics may create too much heat.
Can weighted blankets hurt you?
As a general rule, weighted blankets are safe for healthy adults, older children, and teenagers. Weighted blankets, however, should not be used for toddlers under age 2, as they may pose a suffocation risk. Even older children with developmental disabilities or delays may be at risk of suffocation.
Do weighted blankets affect blood pressure?
Another study published in the journal Occupational Therapy in Mental Health revealed that participants who used weighted blankets had lower blood pressure, pulse rates and pulse oximetry — all signs of reduced stress levels.
Can you wash a weighted blanket?
Because of the heavier construction of weighted blankets, they cannot be washed as easily as a regular blanket. If the blanket only needs to be spot cleaned, then use a gentle soap, detergent, or stain remover to treat those stains, rinse with cold or warm water, and let your blanket air dry.
Can you sleep on your side with a weighted blanket?
If you sleep on your side, the heavier blanket may put too much weight on your hips and other joints, so a weighted blanket for side sleepers should be slightly lighter. To avoid stressing the hips, a good rule of thumb for side sleepers is to choose a weighted blanket that is around 7 percent of your body weight.
How do I know what weight weighted blanket to buy?
The most important thing to keep in mind when shopping for a weighted blanket is weight. If you’re an adult, make sure you choose a blanket that is 10 percent of your body weight. If you’re shopping for a child, it’s recommended to find a weighted blanket that is 10 percent of their body weight, plus one to two pounds.
What is the heaviest weighted blanket?
Heaviest Weighted Blanket Safety Study A 30-pound weighted is the heaviest weighted blanket available for a single person, and thus this information informed the weight choice.
What happens if a weighted blanket is too heavy?
Can weighted blankets be too heavy? Yes, weighted blankets can turn to be super heavy if you do not buy the right size. A weighted blanket that is 35 pounds or more should never be used. On the other hand, if you get the sense of suffocation, discomfort, or being trapped inside the blanket, get one that’s lighter.
Is 20 lbs too heavy for a weighted blanket?
Usually, a weighted blanket should be between 12 to 20 pounds for adults. This ensures that the blanket creates a hugging feeling on your body — causing a sense of calmness, reducing stress, and helping you fall and stay asleep more easily.
Can kids use weighted blankets?
Age-appropriate weighted blankets are generally considered safe for most children aged 3 years or older. However, you should discuss the use of a weighted blanket with your child’s doctor before making your purchase.
What makes a weighted blanket heavy?
Weighted blankets have fillers like plastic poly pellets, glass beads, or steel shot beads to make them heavier. The weight of a weighted blanket weighing down on the user’s body results to what is called a deep touch pressure. Weighted blankets work around the principle of this deep touch pressure.
What are the cons of a weighted blanket?
Cons of Weighted Blankets: Might Take Time To Get Accustomed To. More Expensive Than A Regular Blanket. Not Recommended For Babies. Harder To Take With You While Traveling. Not Recommended For People With Sleep Apnea & Other Sleep/Respiratory Diseases.
Do weighted blankets work for depression?
“Weighted chain blankets are an effective and safe intervention for insomnia in patients with major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,” the researchers concluded.
Are weighted blankets good for arthritis?
People suffering from arthritis, fibromyalgia, and other painful conditions have found relief in sleeping with a weighted blanket. By promoting the ‘calming’ hormones and neurotransmitters, a weighted blanket helps to calm both the body and the brain.
