Weigh Your Options

If you love snuggles, cuddles, hugs and a good night’s sleep, a weighted blanket, the latest trend in sleep technology, may be the BFF you never knew you needed.

Weighted blankets aren’t new. In fact, the idea has been around since the late 1990s. They were invented to help soothe children with severe anxiety, autism and post-traumatic stress disorder. Over time, people realized weighted blankets could benefit the general public, including adults.

Weighted blankets come in a variety of shapes, sizes and weights. They range from 5-30 pounds, with the weight coming from glass beads, poly pellets (100% polypropylene weighted stuffing beads) or other materials.

But what makes them so popular? Their claim to fame is that they can reduce stress and help people sleep more soundly. They mimic deep pressure stimulation, a type of therapy that uses hands-on pressure to relax the nervous system.

Buyer Beware

There’s not much solid research or data on the health benefits of weighted blankets. Initial research suggests that over time, a weighted blanket may help you sleep better. They are definitely not a cure for insomnia or other serious sleep disorders, which require the help of a sleep specialist.

A quality weighted blanket can be pricey. If you’re not ready for the investment, try snuggling under a pile of blankets or quilts for a few nights to see you like the added feeling of pressure.

What’s the Right Weight?

• Choose a weighted blanket that is 5%-10% of your body weight
• Make sure the blanket snugly fits the size of your bed
• Most adults can use a medium-to-large size blanket ranging from 12-30 pounds
• Older adults may prefer a small-to-medium weighted blanket ranging from 5-8 pounds

If you've tried a weighted blanket and other tips for getting a healthy night's sleep for a few weeks and you're still not getting the rest you need, there may be something else going one. The sleep medicine doctors at North Kansas City Hospital’s Diagnostic Sleep Center can test for and treat more than 20 disorders.