can weighted blankets help you sleep better?

there aren’t any studies that prove weighted blankets do indeed help people fall and stay asleep. however, deep pressure therapy (dpt) — the act of using firm, but gentle pressure on the body to reduce anxiety and arousal — has been practiced for centuries in various forms.

in 1987, a limited study found that many college students who used dpt reported feeling less anxious after experiencing full-body pressure for 15-minutes (in an adorably titled hug’m machine), although the researchers did not note any physical changes like lower heart rate or blood pressure that would indicate the participants were more relaxed.

that being said, a 2016 study found that patients who used a weighted blanket while having their wisdom teeth removed tended to have a slower heart rate (higher heart rate variability) than patients who did the procedure without, which may indicate that they were more relaxed. however, many patients didn’t report feeling more relaxed and since they each only went through the procedure once, it’s difficult to tell if the weighted blanket was the key to calming down.

however, for as many people who love the weighted blanket, there seem to be just as many theories for why it may help. some say that simply the fact that a weighted blanket makes it more difficult to toss and turn at night makes for a better night’s sleep, while others claim it has something to do with compressing the blood vessels on the surface of our skin that causes our heart rate to slow down . it also could be that the feeling reminds us of times when we felt the safest, like getting a hug from someone who cares for us or when our parents’ would swaddle us as newborns.

it also might not be due to any specific physiological facts, but instead a preference. similar to how many people adore the feeling of a soft blanket against their skin or can’t relax without their favourite scented candle burning , others might connect with the feeling of gentle, full-body pressure. the trick is finding the sensory cue that makes you the most comfortable.

“weighted blankets have been around for a long time, especially for kids with autism or behavioural disturbances,” dr. cristina cusin, an assistant professor of psychiatry at harvard medical school, told harvard health. “it is one of the sensory tools commonly used in psychiatric units. patients who are in distress may choose different types of sensory activities — holding a cold object, smelling particular aromas, manipulating dough, building objects, doing arts and crafts — to try to calm down.”

i put it away for the summer thinking that, for me, it might be the perfect ingredient for a winter hygge set-up and nothing more. the next night, though, i was having trouble getting to sleep. something was missing. turns out i had come to rely on the full-body squeeze more than i realized.

when a weighted blanket may not be your thing

regardless of how you like to sleep at night, if you have any respiratory concerns like sleep apnea or asthma, a weighted blanket might not be a good idea. physicians also warn against using them on young children.

emjones@postmedia.com |  @jonesyjourn

don’t miss the latest in health. subscribe to healthing’s daily newsletter  here .

share story

share this story

can weighted blankets help you sleep better?

email

facebook

x

linkedin

copy story link