Have you ever found yourself lying awake at night, trying to find a solution to get rid of your worries and tension so you could sleep? You're not the only one who feels this way. According to the CDC, one out of every three Americans does not get enough sleep. Many things contribute to our collective exhaustion, including stress, worry, and other mental health issues.

Weighted blankets have become a popular therapeutic tool for improving sleep and mental health. Are you debating whether or not you should get one? Let's look at the benefits and drawbacks of weighted blankets so you can assess your alternatives and make an informed decision.

Keeping You Awake: Common Sleeping Issues

If you've been having trouble sleeping, it's possible that you haven't yet identified the cause. These are the most likely suspects:

1.  Restless leg syndrome

 If you have restless leg syndrome, you'll have an uncontrollable desire to move your legs while trying to sleep, as well as a pins and needles sensation. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including pregnancy, iron shortage, illnesses, and drugs. 

2.   Insomnia:

Have you ever stared at the clock, calculating how little sleep you'll get before your alarm goes off in the morning? You may be suffering from insomnia, which implies you are having difficulty falling or staying asleep.

3.  Sleep apnea

Sleep Apnea is a condition in which your breathing becomes erratic while you are asleep. It has the potential to make you gasp and wake you up. Sleep apnea can make it difficult to fall asleep, especially after a worrying breathing episode.

 

Weighted blanket vs. Medicine

Have you noticed how we now have medications for practically everything? However, this does not always imply that it is the best option. I mean, I could go to Taco Bell every day and get a cheap dinner, but that doesn't imply it's a smart idea.  When it comes to sleeping pills, there are several options, including benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and more contemporary drugs like Ambien and Lunesta.

You can use drugs to help you sleep, but there are some drawbacks to doing so. 

Here are seven reasons why you shouldn't rely on medication to get some rest.

• Cost

Sleeping medications are an ongoing expense. You'll have to refill that prescription regularly, which might be costly. 

• Adverse effects

We've all seen those television commercials touting the benefits of a specific medication. However, when the narrator gets to the part when they list the side effects, he starts talking like an auctioneer to get the entire list mentioned. All medicines have side effects, no matter how little or severe they are. Sleeping medications aren't an exception. 

• Habit formation

 Medication addiction is a dangerous path to take. Everyone believes it will happen to someone else rather than them. Of course, until it does. Then there's the matter of trying to break free from the addiction. 

• Drowsiness

The day after using a sleeping tablet, you may feel groggy for the majority of the day. 

• Impaired driving

If you're going to take a sleeping tablet, be sure you're not driving. This isn't always feasible. 

• Emergencies

For most of us, sleeping so deeply that we can't wake up seems like a dream night. However, if your house is on fire and you fell asleep due to a drug, it could cost you your life. 

• Alcohol interactions

Most individuals enjoy a drink now and again, and occasionally a lot more. But drinking a martini while on sleeping drugs is like dating your best friend's ex: it's never, ever a good idea.

So, if you're like me and are hesitant to use sleeping drugs, why not try a Better Sleep’s Comfort gravity blanket? For people who want to sleep naturally, weighted blankets can be a suitable option.

 

Pros of Using a Weighted blanket

Let's look at some of the advantages of utilizing a long-lasting weighted blanket.

1.  Weighted Blankets Help You Sleep Better

Many people claim that using a weighted blanket at night might help them sleep better since the gentle full-body pressure makes it easier to stay still. The sensation is similar to that of being hugged or swaddled, which can help babies fall asleep. The way a weighted blanket helps your body regulate serotonin, melatonin, and cortisol level is how this embracing experience leads to improved sleep.

The deep touch pressure provided by sleeping underweight raises serotonin levels, resulting in better overall sleep. Enhancing our intrinsic ability to create serotonin is a good method to battle low serotonin levels, which is a key role in having quality sleep. Using a weighted blanket is one of them.

Weighted blankets and melatonin have a close association as well (another important sleep-related hormone). The use of a weighted blanket can naturally raise melatonin levels while lowering cortisol levels (that tricky stress hormone). This makes you feel calmer, makes it simpler to get true rest, and allows you to wake up refreshed.

2.  Insomnia Can Be Helped with Weighted blankets

Insomnia is a common sleep disorder characterized by difficulty sleeping or staying asleep. Weighted blankets can aid in the treatment of insomnia, and many people who suffer from it find that using one daily improves their sleep quality.

3.  Anxiety is reduced by using weighted blankets.

In a study of 32 adult volunteers, 63 percent said that resting under a weighted blanket helped them. The full-body pressure provided by weighted blankets is one of the explanations behind these results. This pressure causes your neurological system to respond by slowing your breathing and lowering your pulse rate, allowing your body to relax and your mind to settle down.

4.  Weighted blankets Can Help You Feel More Relaxed

It's no secret that how well you sleep has an impact on your entire health. Sleep deprivation has been linked to several major health issues, including medical ailments and mental health disorders such as stress and anxiety.

Including a weighted blanket in your bedtime routine is a drug-free approach to achieving better sleep and, as a result, improving your physical and mental health.

5.  Yoga with Weighted blankets: A Perfect Match

Did you know that a travel weighted blanket is an excellent yoga accessory? Yoga is a wonderful health activity that increases flexibility while also supporting healthy breathing, energy, and circulation.

Roll up your weighted blanket for support or use it for extra warmth in Sava Sana during your next yoga session. Laying a blanket across your lap during meditative positions or practicing quiet breathing can also be soothing.

6.  Weighted Blanket Helps When Adulting Keeps You Up at Night

Approximately 10% of today's people experience nighttime tossing and turning, generally known as insomnia. Insomnia is a condition in which it is difficult to get asleep or stay asleep to the point where it interferes with daily activities. Furthermore, chronic sleeplessness has the potential to harm our general health in the long run.

So, what role do weighted blankets play in addressing sleep issues? For adults, one suggestion is to use a cooling weighted blanket. This helps to regulate your body temperature at night and also "talks" to your body by applying deep pressure, which promotes serotonin production and reduces cortisol production. It's as if you've fallen asleep in a car.

 

Cons Of Using A Weighted Blanket

There are a few drawbacks to sleeping underweight; here's how we've dealt with them.

1.  Weighted blankets Can Be Excessively Warm

When sleeping under a weighted blanket, many people are hot sleepers, which means they rapidly become excessively warm or uncomfortably hot. While traditional thick blankets aren't breathable, our unique design allows for maximum ventilation, keeping even the warmest sleepers cool and comfortable.

If you sleep hot, try to get a cooling weighted blanket with a natural fiber cover that will keep you from overheating.  Our chunky knit weighted blanket is a good option also.

2.  Weighted Blankets Are Not Made Sustainably

The usual method of stuffing a polyester blanket with plastic pellets or beads to add weight is not very environmentally friendly. What makes our weighted blankets unique is that we've altered the manufacturing process and exclusively employ natural fabric layers to create our eco-friendly products.

If you're concerned about the environmental impact of your purchase, choose a Premium Better Sleep weighted blanket Oeko-Tex Certifed, made of sustainable materials and devoid of artificial fillers.

3.  For Smaller Children, Weighted blankets Can Be Dangerous.

Weighted blankets are not recommended for children under the age of four since they are not yet strong enough to pull a heavy blanket from their small bodies. For example, if the weighted blanket covers their faces and they are unable to remove it, it may cause breathing problems. It may also induce overheating in small children.  We have a Junior collection, especially for kids. 

What's The Crux Of It All?

Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of weighted blankets might assist you in making an educated purchase decision. Overall, a weighted blanket is a fantastic investment in your health and well-being because it is a useful, natural self-care option. 

Selecting A Weighted Blanket

Finding solutions to deal with the stress of everyday life doesn't have to be difficult. You can quickly feel more confident during the day and more comfortable at night by applying just one or two of these strategies.

Our cotton weighted blanket might be your best pick if you're looking for a weighted blanket that looks as nice as it feels and is made from sustainable and environmentally friendly materials.

Our Weighted Blankets for adults and children are loaded with glass beads and come in multiple sizes like 5, 7, 10, 12, 15, 20, 25, and 30 pounds. When placed on the body, the increased weight is intended to provide a relaxing effect.

Better Sleep’s Weighted blankets are made of buttery soft and breathable organic cotton, evenly distribute weight throughout your body, and are the perfect recipe for restful sleep! 

It's a Wrap

Weighted blankets aren't a magic bullet that will make everyone fall asleep peacefully in no time. Depending on your preferences, some blankets will be too heavy, while others will be too light. However, if you experiment, you will most likely find one that works for you.

After weighing the benefits and drawbacks of using a weighted blanket, it appears that the good much surpass the negative. If you're looking for a weighted blanket for yourself or a loved one, I highly recommend Better Sleep’s well-engineered blanket. It did exactly what it said it would do for me, so what you are waiting for. Get one for yourself or your loved ones to live life to the fullest by having restful sleep.