When Weighting Comforts asked me if I wanted to check out one of their weighted blankets, I’ll admit that I was a bit skeptical. How could a weighted blanket help me deal with anxiety or get a better night sleep?  Would it be too heavy? Too hot? Too awkward?

If you have the same questions about weighted blankets and their benefits, let me help you out: they’re actually pretty darn cool! Read on to find out what I thought my my Weighting Comforts blanket (or at least what I thought before my son stole if from me!) and learn more about the different options that they offer!

What’s the Deal with Weighted Blankets?

If you’ve browsed Facebook, Pinterest, or even just your favorite blogs (I hope I’m one of them!), chances are you’ve heard about weighted blankets. They’re the HOT new sleep trend!

Even my dog likes weighted blankets!

Basically, a weighted blanket is exactly what it sounds like, a blanket with pellets sewn into them to make them a lot heavier than average. How heavy depends on which one you buy. Weighting Comforts blankets range between 10-20 pounds. They say that the ideal weight is 10% of your body weight.

So why would you want one? Check out a few of the potential benefits of weighted blankets!

1. Reduces anxiety

My Weighting Comforts blanket came in the mail smack dab during a 5-day power outage. It was our second long-term outage of the year and I didn’t have a generator this time! To say I was stressed is an understatement.

While the weighted blanket didn’t have quite the same effect as, say, the anxiety meds I usually take (and happened to be out of at the time), it did help calm my anxiety a bit. When I’m overwhelmed, I hide in my bathroom in the dark with the fan on. Being enveloped in the pitch black darkness helps to calm my mind. The weighted blanket had a similar calming effect.

2. Soothes those with autism

I’m not going to pretend to know a lot about this, because while Jacob’s best friend in 3rd-5th grade was on the spectrum, I haven’t had much experience with autism. From what I understand (and please correct me if I am wrong), some kids on the spectrum feel soothed when they are hugged tight.

I watch The Good Doctor, and I recall an episode where Freddie Highmore’s character said that tight pressure helps him relax. A weighted blanket is a great choice because it applies pressure evenly across the core of your body.

3. Promotes better sleep

This benefit of weighted blankets is actually backed by a scientific study. The study found that participants reported better sleep quality when they used a weighted blanket. Another study found that weighted blankets increase serotonin in your body, which is needed to produce melatonin (which in turn regulates your sleep cycles).

If you suffer from insomnia (like I do), you’ll try pretty much anything to get a good night’s sleep. I’ll be honest (as always, of course): I couldn’t really sleep with the blanket. I have some weird sleep issues. I thought I could, but turns out I get claustrophobic at night. That’s okay, though, because my son stole it from me anyway. He loves sleeping with it!

4. May help kids with ADHD focus better

Another study found that weighted vests improved classroom focus in kids with ADHD. Now, a weighted blanket is a little too big to take to school, but it’s perfect for homeschooling and cyberschooling families. The blankets have also been found to reduce fidgeting and other “self-stimulating” behaviors in kids.

Jake is definitely a fidgeter. He doesn’t have ADHD, he just gets bored very easily. We haven’t tested the study’s results during schooling, but we will give it a try next year! If you want to try it out, Weighting Comforts has a lap pad that is a bit more portable.

Why Weighting Comforts?

With so many companies jumping on the weighted blankets bandwagon, it’s hard to choose the best one. I love Weighting Comforts not just because of the high quality they produce, but also because of the story behind them. They partner with Sew For Hope, an organization that empowers international refugees in Tennessee. Check out the video to learn more about the program:

Weighting Comforts blankets are also made of super comfy fabric. It’s 100% cotton, so it breathes even during the hottest times of the year. My son’s room is constantly scorching in the summer, even with fans all over the place. There’s just something about its position in the house that makes it stifling hot. He has no problem sleeping with the weighted blanket.  If you’re worried that you’ll still be hot, Weighting Comforts also has a COOMAX blanket that helps whisk away moisture (sweat, basically) to keep you cooler.

The one I received is also not a full-size blanket. It’s more like a strip that’s a little wider than your body, kind of like a smaller throw blanket. I like this because it distributes the full weight across your body, rather than all over your bed.

The blankets come in a few neutral colors, like shades of white and grey. They also have one really pretty Aqua Spray blanket or a blue chambray if you want something with a bit more color.

Ready to give them a try? Head over to Weighting Comforts and check out their selection! Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to keep up with news.