Karlston Posted May 17, 2020 Share Posted May 17, 2020 The Best Weighted Blankets to Soothe Your Anxiety These accessories might not cure your anxiety or insomnia, but they can feel like a hug when you really need one. Touch, like getting a hug, releases oxytocin in your brain. This hormone contributes to our overall well-being and ability to handle stress. It's why Thundershirts help anxious pets, and it's one of the reasons we swaddle newborns. We don't always have someone to squeeze us, especially nowadays, and that's where weighted blankets come in. These blankets use deep pressure to simulate the feeling of being gently held. Pressure has been touted as a way to help with insomnia and anxiety—the Hug Box for example, invented by Temple Grandin, uses pressure to calm those on the autism spectrum. (There isn't a lot of science-backed research, so you should discuss using one with your doctor.) A weighted blanket isn't a cure for anything, but it could make you feel better. My colleague Jess Grey and I both suffer from anxiety disorders, and these blankets have been rewarding, helping us manage our anxiety. We've tested several—here are the best. Be sure to check out our other guides, including our roundup of products to help people go to sleep, and the Best Sunrise Alarm Clocks. If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. Learn more. Photograph: Yaasa Before You Buy How to choose the right weight The general advice you'll see from companies is that the weight of the blanket should be around 10 percent of your body weight. So if you're 150 pounds, that would be a 15-pound blanket. We didn't find that to be accurate for ourselves, as we wanted the heaviest option possible that still allowed us to move around underneath. As Yaasa's website points out, the 10 percent rule is just a guide—you can pick whatever you think will be best. Do you like to be tightly cuddled while you sleep? You probably can go with a heavier blanket. Photograph: Yaasa Best Overall Yaasa The Yaasa is the best weighted blanket I (Medea) tried. It's sufficiently heavy, cooling, and pretty to look at. At 45 inches wide, the 20 pounder is just shy of covering the top of a full-size bed. It feels heavier than other blankets that actually weigh more, because its weight is evenly distributed. (There's no filling inside that can pool to one area.) The open-knit design allows air to circulate, so you shouldn't feel like you're heating up. And unlike other blankets, it doesn't look messy hanging off the back of a couch or in the background of your Zoom meetings. Unfortunately, you can't return this item, so there's no way to try before committing to it, and it can only be dry-cleaned—though I was able to spot clean it easily enough. Available in 15 or 20 pounds $269 at Yaasa Photograph: Amy Fronczkiewicz/Bearaby Runner-Up Bearaby Tree Napper The Bearaby Tree Napper and the Yaasa blanket are similar in design, featuring the same open-knit style that allows for better air circulation. The Bearaby comes in much more beautiful colors and is biodegradable, being made from plant-based Tencel. It's machine washable, a huge plus over the Yaasa, but it didn't take the top spot because the thicker Yaasa feels more weighty at 20 pounds than the 25-pound Tree Napper. I would sleep under 60 pounds if it was possible, but if you don't need the heaviest blanket, go with the Tree Napper. Available in 15, 20, or 25 pounds $259 at Bearaby $279 at West Elm Photograph: Casper A Traditional-Looking Blanket Casper If you don't like the open-knit design of the two options above, consider this traditional-looking one. It's my (Jess) favorite. About the size of a throw blanket, the Casper is dense enough that even the lightest model gives you that comfortably squished feeling, while the heaviest is like a Thundershirt for humans. Seriously, the 20-pound blanket has been a lifesaver during quarantine. It's not cheap, but it's more affordable than the Yaasa and Bearaby. Available in 10, 15, or 20 pounds $189 at Amazon $170 at Casper Photograph: Luna Best Budget Blanket (and Good for Kids) Luna I wouldn't normally call $80 (for the full-size 20 pound blanket) cheap, but it's a bargain when it comes to weighted blankets. I bought a slightly cheaper blanket from Target, and it just wasn't worth the money saved—the filling pooled to one side, pulling it off my bed, and the cover quickly ripped. I (Medea) didn't have that issue with Luna's blanket. The Luna is made of a crisp cotton and has more weight options and sizes than any of the blankets we looked at, not to mention nice colors and designs. It's also the only one we tried that has kid-specific options. It can be machine washed, but there are also separate covers you can take off and wash instead. Available in 5, 7, 10, 12, 15, 17, 20, 22, 25, or 30 pounds and many sizes $73 at Amazon $79 at Luna Photograph: Gravity Blanket If You're Always Cold Gravity Blanket Though weighted blankets were a thing before the Gravity Blanket was announced on Kickstarter in 2017, its success quickly made it the face of the category. WIRED writer Arielle Pardes tried it in 2018 and compared it to being "wrapped up in a toasty tortilla like a human burrito." She also said she didn't need to spend the money to fully refine her sleep. The Gravity Blanket has gone down in price since then. While I (Medea) still think the Yaasa is the best overall, this thick blanket is a great option if you're perpetually cold. Available in 15, 20, or 25 pounds $189 at Amazon $189 at Gravity Photograph: Layla A Blanket for Two Layla OK, what if you're like me (Jess) and you want to snuggle up with someone in the confined comfort of a weighted blanket? Most options are only big enough for one person. Well, the Layla weighted blanket comes in twin (15-pound), queen (20-pound), and king (25-pound) models. That way you get full bed coverage, and even if you’re in that king-size bed by yourself, sometimes it’s nice to burrito up in all that extra blanket and let the outside world melt away. Available in 15, 20, or 25 pounds $159 $129 at Layla Photograph: Purple An Upgrade for Sharers Purple + Gravity This 35-pound blanket from Purple is the heaviest we tried. The weight is distributed across the large, queen/king size, so it doesn't feel like what you'd expect 35 pounds to feel like on top of you—that will either be good or bad, depending on your preferences. I (Medea) was hoping it would feel heavier, because I want to feel enveloped in bed and all that pressure to magically cure my ailments. If you don't mind it not feeling as heavy, this is a soft and cozy blanket that will comfortably cover you and a partner. Available in 35 pounds $299 $239 at Purple Photograph: Brian Mundt/Hug Sleep If Weighted Blankets Won't Do Hug Sleep Sleep Pod If you've ever looked at a swaddled baby and felt jealous, the Sleep Pod is for you. It takes the idea of a weighted blanket—using deep-touch pressure therapy to comfort you—without the actual weight and heat associated with them. Instead, the stretchy material comfortably clings to you like a soft hug. It's machine washable, and because it's not as bulky and heavy as a blanket, you can take it with you when traveling. I (Medea) really enjoyed sleeping fully cocooned inside—it's very soothing. The fabric did quickly start to pill where my feet rubbed against it, which is disappointing, though I think sizing up might eliminate that issue. Jess says it's too constricting for her. If you move around a lot at night, this may not be the option for you. The company does offer a 30-day return policy if you want to try it before committing. $110 $100 at Hug Sleep Source: The Best Weighted Blankets to Soothe Your Anxiety (Wired) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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