Weighted Blanket Pros and Cons

Weighted Blanket Pros and Cons

Weighted Blanket Benefits
July 9th, 2021 5 minute read

A good night of sleep is important for health and wellbeing, and weighted blankets are becoming popular among those looking to improve their nighttime comfort. In fact, an Internet search for weighted blankets returns dozens of hits, with results including links to weighted blankets available for purchase, as well as articles about the benefits of these products. There has certainly been plenty of hype surrounding weighted blankets, but if you are thinking about purchasing one, you may be wondering if they are truly as spectacular as some people claim they are. Here, learn about some weighted blanket pros and cons to help you decide for yourself.

What Is the Purpose of a Weighted Blanket?

Quite simply, weighted blankets are designed to give users a better night of sleep. Those who swear by weighted blankets report that they provide comfort and make it easier to relax and fall asleep at night. A weighted blanket may be used to treat insomnia, or to make sleep come more easily to someone who struggles with conditions like anxiety or chronic pain. The pros and cons of weighted blankets highlight the features of these products and provide evidence regarding their true effectiveness.

Benefits of Weighted Blankets

If you’re curious about the pros and cons of a weighted blanket, you’re probably most interested to know whether they actually work. Fortunately, scientists have put a great deal of time and energy into studying weighted blanket benefits, and the results have been promising. Consider the following pros below:

  • Research shows that weighted blankets provide a form of deep touch pressure, which stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system and calms the body, making weighted blankets ideal for anxiety relief.
  • Weighted blankets do actually serve their intended purpose of improving sleep. A 2015 study in the Journal of Sleep Medicine & Disorders showed that weighted blankets were effective for treating people with insomnia, who slept longer and moved less in their sleep when using a weighted blanket.
  • People who use weighted blankets report having an easier time settling down for sleep at night, and they state that they feel more refreshed when waking up.
  • Their ability to provide deep touch pressure means that weighted blankets can be effective for people who suffer from pain that keeps them awake at night. In fact, weighted blankets provide a similar level of pressure that occurs with massage therapy, which has been found to be beneficial for people who suffer from pain related to knee osteoarthritis.
  • Research has found that weighted blankets are completely safe to use, as they do not have any significant effect on vital signs like oxygen levels or pulse rate.

Given what is known about the pros and cons of weighted blankets, it is safe to conclude that they have many benefits. People can expect improved sleep, as well as reduced anxiety and pain with these blankets, with no known safety risks.

Another thing to keep in mind is that people often wonder about the pros and cons of weighted blankets for toddlers and children. Fortunately, it turns out that weighted blankets are safe even for toddlers and are available in weights as low as a 5 lb weighted blanket. Studies have found that weighted blankets are effective for little ones and can improve sleep, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep through the night, especially for children with ADHD and autism.

Weighted Blanket Cons

The other half of pros and cons of weighted blankets is that there may be some drawbacks to these products. Consider the following:

  • Weighted blankets can come with a high price tag. For example, some weighted blankets cost over $400, which can be a deterrent for some consumers.
  • Certain weighted blankets may be too warm. People often ask, “Are weighted blankets  appropriate for hot sleepers?” While some weighted blankets are made with cooling fabric like bamboo, others can be rather hot.
  • Your sleep may not be perfect right off the bat, because it can take time to adjust to the weight of the blanket. Your sleep may be worse for a few nights before it gets better, but based upon the research-backed benefits of weighted blankets, you can expect a better night of sleep once you adapt.

Pros and Cons of Weighted Blankets: A Summary

A review of weighted blankets pros and cons suggests that while weighted blankets can be expensive and may be too hot for some people, there are more pros than cons associated with these products, especially if you have trouble getting a good night of sleep. Not only can these blankets make it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep; they can also help to ease issues like pain and anxiety.

If you’re in the market for a weighted blanket, Aricove offers a weighted blanket for adults and children, with prices beginning at $59.95 for children and going up to $149.95 for a 20 lb adult weighted blanket. As the maker of the best cooling weighted blanket, Aricove offers comparatively affordable weighted blankets that are made from naturally moisture wicking bamboo, to keep you cool and comfortable for a more restful night of sleep.

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