8 Best Weighted Blankets for Anxiety

A quick look at the best weighted blankets for anxiety

• Best overall weighted blanket: Gravity Cooling Weighted Blanket
• Best splurge: BlanQuil Chill
• Best knitted weighted blanket: Bearaby Weighted Blanket
• Best for the bed: Baloo Weighted Blanket
• Best cooling weighted blanket: Luxome Bamboo Cooling Weighted Blanket
• Best budget buy: Syrinx Cooling Weighted Blanket
• Best beadless weighted blanket: Nuzzie Knit Weighted Blanket
• Best weight range: Weighted Idea Cooling Weighted Blanket

Weighted blankets are heavier than the blankets people buy. They are heavier than the average comforter or down quilt, weighing anywhere from 4 to 30 pounds.

For many people who have health conditions, such as anxiety, insomnia, or autism, weighted blankets may be a safe complementary treatment to traditional methods like medication.

Although more research needs to be done in the area, weighted blankets have been found to be an effective and safe coping mechanism for insomnia and mental health conditions like generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

What is a weighted blanket?

A weighted blanket is a heavy blanket — usually one that weighs between 4 to 30 pounds — that’s used as a therapeutic tool to invoke calm and reduce stress.

Weighted blankets simulate deep pressure touch therapy (DPT), which provides the same physiological response people get when they’re hugged or held.

The blanket can be made from cotton, bamboo, flannel, or steel, and the fill can be either glass or sand.

What are the benefits of a weighted blanket for anxiety?

Weighted blankets can help reduce anxiety in both children and adults, and they’re typically safe to use. They help many people achieve a relaxed state, allowing them to sleep more deeply.

Grounding

Weighted blankets help ground your body during sleep by pushing it down. This process, known as “earthing” or “grounding,” may have a deeply calming effect. The blankets also simulate DPT, a type of therapy that uses firm, hands-on pressure to reduce chronic stress and high levels of anxiety.

Older research from 2014 shows that grounding may help reduce nighttime levels of cortisol, a stress hormone. Cortisol is produced when your brain thinks you’re under attack, eliciting the fight-flight-freeze response.

cortisol levels can increase when stress is present. This can have a negative impact on the immune system. It can affect the bicyle and increase blood sugar levels.

“Multiple problems can be caused by elevated cortisol levels, especially those that don’t drop back down to normal levels naturally. These include:”

• Depression.
• anxiety
• insomnia
• weight gain

Pressure touch

By providing deep pressure touch, weighted blankets can promote relaxation and help break this cycle. This may trigger the release of the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin, which are feel-good hormones produced in the brain. These hormones help combat stress, anxiety, and Depression..

A 2020 review of studies indicated that weighted blankets may be helpful in relieving anxiety. More research is needed to determine whether they can also help with insomnia.

According to the review, grounding helped reduce cortisol production in the participants during sleep. This improved their sleep and alleviated stress, insomnia, and pain.

A study from 2008 found that 30-pound weighted blankets are a safe and effective way to reduce anxiety in adults. Of the 32 adults who participated in the study, 63 percent reported lower levels of anxiety.

Sleep improvement

Weighted blankets can calm you down and make you sleep better.

In a 2020 study, researchers found that people who slept with weighted blankets reported reduced insomnia, better sleep, and more energy during the day. They also said they had fewer feelings of fatigue, Depression., and anxiety.

All participants in the sleep trial had at least one mental health disorder, including major depression, GAD, and attention deficit disorder.

In a 2015 study, participants with mild to moderate insomnia who used a weighted blanket for 4 weeks experienced better sleep with less tossing and turning. The participants also reported that they were more comfortable.

How we chose

“We took pricing, material, and weight options into account when choosing the best weighted blankets. We included a variety of blankets that have different features to help you find the one that’s right for you.”

• Pricing. While weighted blankets are typically more It is It is It is expensive… than regular blankets, there are still options for most budgets. We included blankets at several different price points to offer options for everyone.
• Material. Weighted blankets are made with a variety of materials, from microfiber and fleece to knitted cotton. Some have cooling technologies worked into the fabric to keep you at a more comfortable temperature. Others are made to be warm and cozy. We included a variety of blankets made of different materials to provide options for all preferences and climates.
• Weight. A weighted blanket should weigh about 10 percent of your body weight. Because of this, different people will have varying needs. We included blankets with a range of weight options so you can find one that’s suitable for your needs.

Pricing guide

• $ = under $100
• $$ = $100–$200
• $$$ = over $200

Healthline‘s picks for the best weighted blankets for anxiety

Best overall weighted blanket

Gravity Cooling Weighted Blanket

• Price: $$$

Weighted blankets were one of the first companies to make a mainstream impact. The weighted blanket comes in three weights: 15, 20, or 35 pounds.

The weight is evenly distributed thanks to fine-grade glass beads, gridded stitching, and an inner layer that is secured to a duvet cover with ties and elastics that prevent clumping.

Best splurge

BlanQuil Chill

• Price: $$$

The BlanQuil Chill has a lot to offer if you have a generous budget. The blanket has a glass bead fill that is spread out through 77 independent baffles to prevent it from shifting and clumping.

The cover has cooling technology that absorbs body heat and keeps hot sleepers comfortable, so even hot sleepers stay at a comfortable temperature.

BlanQuil recommends this blanket for single users only, so it may not be the best option if you are planning on using your weighted blanket with a partner.

Best knitted weighted blanket

Bearaby Weighted Blanket

• Price: $$$

“Bearaby’s weighted blanket is a unique option that is sold by mattress, pillow, and sleep accessory retailer Purple. It doesn’t contain glass beads or other moveable fill, instead it’s made with several layers of hand-knit organic cotton that provides a natural weight that’s evenly distributed throughout the blanket.”

“The blanket doesn’t trap heat like some blankets can because of its open knit design and cotton fabric. It is only available in 20 pounds.”

Best for the bed

Baloo Weighted Blanket

• Price: $$

The Baloo Weighted Blanket was designed to fit the top of a full, queen, or king bed with minimal overhang, and it was also designed to fit any weighted blanket in bed. This ensures that the weight distribution is not pulled.

The blanket is weighted and can be found in five different sizes. The blanket is made with cotton and glass and is free of synthetic dyes or materials.

Best cooling weighted blanket

Luxome Bamboo Cooling Weighted Blanket

• Price: $$

“The bamboo cooling weighted blanket was designed for hot sleeping. The blanket is made of 100 percent percale cotton, which is very soft and doesn’t trap body heat.”

Meanwhile, the outer cover, which is removable and Machine-washable., is constructed of Lyocell from bamboo, a breathable and soft fabric.

The blanket is made to distribute the beads evenly and make sure they are not clumping.

Best budget buy

Syrinx Cooling Weighted Blanket

• Price: $

The Weighted Blanket from the Syrinx is a budget friendly option. The quilted design of this blanket ensures even distribution of the glass fill.

The breathable cover doesn’t trap heat, making this a suitable option for hot sleepers. The downside is that it’s not Machine-washable.. You have to hand wash it or spot clean it if it gets dirty.

Best beadless weighted blanket

Nuzzie Knit Weighted Blanket

• Price: $$

“The Nuzzie Knit Weighted Blanket is filled with recycled plastic bottles. The weight is always distributed evenly across the surface because this blanket doesn’t have beads.”

The open weave design allows for more air to flow through, making it suitable for hot sleepers and all seasons, while the jersey knit offers a touch more breathability.

Best weight range

Weighted Idea Cooling Weighted Blanket

• Price: $

The Weighted Idea Cooling Weighted Blanket has a weight and size range that makes it stand out. The blanket is in 14 weights and sizes.

The 25-pound blanket is in a 60 by 80 inch size or an 80 by 87 inch size.

The glass beads are evenly distributed in each pocket.

A comparison of the best weighted blankets for anxiety

How heavy should a weighted blanket be?

Your doctor or occupational therapist can help you decide which weighted blanket is the most comfortable for you.

Your own weight should help you determine the weight of the blanket. The general recommendation is to choose a blanket that’s 10 percent of your body weight, adding or subtracting a pound or two depending on your preference.

It is a good idea to choose a blanket made from natural fiber, such as 100 percent cotton. Synthetic fabrics are usually much hotter.

“Weighted blankets can add heat and weight, so they aren’t for everyone. If you are using a weighted blanket, you should talk to your doctor.”

• Have a chronic health condition.
• Are you going through the menopause?
• Circulation issues are something that can be had.
• Have issues with breathing.
• Have the temperature regulation issues?

Frequently asked questions

Can I use a weighted blanket every night?

You can use a weighted blanket every night. If you are new to weighted blankets, you might want to start with a short duration, around 30 minutes at a time, until you get used to it.

Do weighted blankets help anxiety?

Weighted blankets may help anxiety. While more research is needed, 2020 research reported that weighted blankets may be helpful in relieving anxiety by helping with emotional and physical regulation.

In another study, 63 percent of participants reported lower levels of anxiety after using a weighted blanket.

Can weighted blankets make anxiety worse?

Weighted blankets have been shown to help with anxiety. It may make your anxiety worse if you are nervous about using one.

To get used to it, you can start with a few minutes at a time, until you get used to how the blanket feels. You can use it for a couple of hours or overnight.

If you find that using a weighted blanket makes you more anxious, you should talk to your healthcare professional about whether it is a useful therapeutic tool.

Who should not use a weighted blanket?

Weighted blankets are not for everyone. Women and children under 50 pounds should not use a weighted blanket.

Weighted blankets are not suitable for people with certain health conditions.

• Asthma or other respiratory issues can be serious.
• low blood pressure.
• circulatory issues
• type 2 diabetes
• Claustrophobia is a fear.

If you have mobility issues, you should not use a weighted blanket.

Takeaway

Weighted blankets can evoke a calming effect that is similar to a type of therapy called deep pressure touch. Weighted blankets can help with stress, relaxation and sleep.