The Wait is Over for the Best Weighted Blanket
Weighted blankets are one of those concepts I had heard about plenty of times, but didn’t fully understand until I got underneath one. I knew that weighted blankets had been shown to reduce anxiety and stress, as well as improve sleep, but none of it hit home for me. Until it did.
Since I got my weighted blanket from Bearaby, I’ve been converted to a full blown believer. Some of the benefits of this thing are more obvious, while others might surprise you—so I decided to do a detailed breakdown of what you might be getting out of purchasing one of these for yourself.
1. Improves Sleep Quality
Scientific research has shown that sleeping under evenly distributed weight can lead to a deeper, more natural sleep cycle. It activates something called deep touch pressure (DTP), and full-body DTP results in a relaxed mind and body that falls asleep faster and stays asleep for longer stretches of time. No more tossing and turning in the middle of the night.
2. Reduces Anxiety
A weighted blanket study found that 63% of participants experienced less anxiety as a result of its use. DTP apparently reduces anxiety by stimulating a greater release of serotonin (the “happy” hormone), and by helping our body regulate deep breathing and heart rate. Remember when you had to get under the covers as a kid when you got scared of monsters? This is kind of like that feeling of safety, but stronger (literally, it’s heavier.)
3. Induces Calm
Research shows that sleeping under weight can reduce your cortisol levels. Cortisol, the “fight or flight” hormone, fuels your survival instincts, which keeps you on edge (or, in some cases, stressed out). With lower cortisol levels, you’ll likely feel a greater sense of calm.
4. Relieves Pain
For sore muscles, aches, and pains, sleeping under weight can actually help a good deal. It’s sort of like one long, consistent push of a massage. Weighted blankets also help with chronic pain patients, primarily by reducing cortisol levels.
5. Fights Fibromyalgia Symptoms
Weighted blankets can help with fibromyalgia-related insomnia and pain, as well. Due to their ability to ease anxiety, improve sleep quality, and reduce fatigue, weighted blankets are one of the most common “at-home” remedies to the effects of fibromyalgia.
Here’s Where Bearaby Comes In
Bearaby has set itself apart as a weighted blanket brand by using eco-friendly materials and a unique knit-pattern for evenly distributed weight and breathability. (No more fear of breaking the blanket open and spilling thousands of micro-beads everywhere.) Bearaby now offers a variety of products to ensure you have access to what you need:
- Known as the Bearaby Weighted Blanket, the Cotton Napper from Bearaby Sleep is the company’s most popular product. It is made of organic cotton yarn with a small amount of spandex for a little bit of flexibility.
- Smaller and lighter, the Bearaby Nappling is ideal for traveling with small children. The thick spandex and organic cotton yarn are similar to that of the Cotton Napper.
- Sleep like a baby with Bearaby’s Tree Napper, a breathable nightgown made from Tencel, organic cotton, and spandex. It also has the well-known chunky knit appearance of Bearaby.
- The Bearaby Hugger is queen-sized for any couples out there looking to sleep under weight together. It’s made from 100% sustainably sourced cotton.
- Another Napper blanket design, the Velvet Napper, is made of polyester that has been upcycled from recycled plastic. The Velvet Napper looks glorious for those fashion-forward thinkers out there.
The Bottom Line
If you’re interesting in trying out your first weighed blanket, Bearaby is the first brand I suggest checking out. Shipping is totally free for customers in the contiguous United States, and there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee if you decide that the weighted blanket life isn’t for you. And, because of their range of products, there’s something for everyone. At least there was definitely something for me.
