The best weighted blanket to soothe anxious sleepers

If you have trouble sleeping, a weighted blanket is one of the best natural methods for helping you to drift off. They work by mimicking deep pressure stimulation, which is thought to encourage the production of serotonin and melatonin while reducing the stress hormone cortisol. Your improved mood and boost of sleep hormones should help you have a more relaxed night's kip.

Weighted blankets are filled with metal or glass beads, or even plastic pellets, to apply gentle, even pressure to your body, replicating the feeling the being held or hugged. Some are heavier than others, with these throws and duvets usually weighing between five and 12kg.

Does a weighted blanket help with anxiety?

If you're someone that suffers from anxiety, you may find yourself having restless nights, and struggling to get off to sleep in the first place. The pressure of weighted blankets put your nervous system into 'rest' mode, which should help to relieve some of the symptoms of anxiety, such as a quickened heart rate and breathing. This should help to provide an overall sense of calm in your body.

As well as anxiety, weighted blankets can help those living with sleep disorders, ADHD and autism have a more peaceful's nights sleep.

Of course, you don't have to just have a blanket for the purposes of sleep, you can also cuddle up with one on the sofa to help you relax while watching television or reading a good book.

Best weighted blankets

If you feel you could benefit from having a weighted blanket, duvet, or throw, we've rounded up 13 of the best weighted blankets. They range in weight, size, colour and price, so you can find the one that suits all of your requirements.

FAQs

How much should a weighted blanket weight?

As a general rule, The Sleep Foundation recommends a weighted blanket should be around 10 per cent of your body weight. Of course, you may feel like this is too heavy or not quite heavy enough. The ideal blanket should provide you with a comforting feeling that feels safe when you're relaxing underneath it. You can go as low as 5 per cent of your body to still feel the effects of the blanket without it feeling too heavy. The highest you should go is 12 per cent as any higher you may feel claustrophobic underneath it.

Can a weighted blanket make you sore?

If you stick to the limits mentioned above, a weighted blanket shouldn't make you feel sore. If you've never used one before, you may feel a slight discomfort as your body gets used to it. However, if a blanket is too heavy, it may make you feel like you aren't getting enough air to your lungs. You could also find it puts too much pressure on your joints and make them feel tender.