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How Heavy Should a Weighted Blanket Be?
How heavy should a weighted blanket be? The further we get into understanding calming reactions in humans, the more we come to grasp that weight is comforting. People use them for a variety of reasons — anxiety, therapy, insomnia, etc. It's becoming rapidly common for autistic people to find comfort in them during periods of stress or anxiety, or for people with trouble sleeping to find soothing comfort in the heavy-weight draped over them. But as the demand for weighted blankets grows, so too do the questions.
One of the biggest questions arises in how heavy a weighted blanket should be. Well if you're in the market for a weighted blanket at some point in the near future, we're going to fill you in on all the details and any possible concerns you might have. How heavy should a weighted blanket really be? Please read on to learn more about how to properly size a weighted blanket before purchasing one.
What is a Weighted Blanket For?
There are any number of reasons a person could want one. They're very therapeutic and work wonders for comfort and circulation. This means that due to the wide range of reasons, the weight for a blanket can vary just as wildly. Some people use them to help work their way through anxiety and panic attacks. Another set uses them to help calm and soothe themselves after a stressful day. Others use them as a form of security during troubled times. Just as people are completely different, so too are their needs for a weighted blanket.
How Do You Determine the Weight of a Weighted Blanket?
This one is a little tricky, but many experts agree that the perfect weight of a blanket should be about 10% of your total body weight. Of course, this also depends on the personal preferences of the person acquiring one, so it's not always so black and white. If you know anyone who owns a weighted blanket, it might be prudent to ask them if you can handle it, get a feel for it. This will help you judge on your own accord what weight might be perfect for you in particular.
If you're buying one for someone else, you'll definitely want to be a little more precise since you're preferences may differ greatly from theirs. The optimum choice of weight for a blanket varies, but it's usually best to choose between 7-12% of the total body weight. If you have trouble with that number, then just round up to the larger and heavier model for better results. The calculations aren't too difficult if you have a calculator handy, but even if you don't, there are plenty of charts available online to help you determine the perfect weight ratio.
Weight Lifting and Weighted Blankets are Not The Same Thing
While to some it may seem obvious to compare how much weight you can lift at the gym to the possible weight of a blanket, but ultimately, this is just daft. You definitely don't want to do this, especially if this blanket is a gift for someone else. Just because you can lift a ten-pound dumbbell doesn't mean a twenty-pound blanket will feel particularly good lying on top of you. The aim is to achieve comfort, relaxation, and tranquility through snuggling the blanket, not suffocation. You want to feel like you're being wrapped up in a big, comforting and warm hug after a long day, not like you just became acquainted with a reticulated python.
What is the Maximum Weight For A Weighted Blanket?
While there's no truly correct answer in what a blanket should weigh specifically, there is a truly correct answer for how much it should ever weigh, period. The heaviest a weighted blanket can ever be without becoming a danger to you is about thirty pounds. Any heavier and you risk harming yourself. Experts agree that the average grown human can stretch out underneath a thirty-pound blanket without much worry that about their basic bodily functions such as circulation and respiration, but weight beyond that limit is not recommended.
Maximum weight doesn't equal maximum benefits. In fact, it can cause a great deal of trouble if you overdo it. A proper weighted blanket should be soothing. Restless leg syndrome, pain disorders, ADHD, stress, high cortisol levels, tension, you name it, the weighted blanket can help deal with it. But if your blanket is too heavy, you can actually add to that list.
What are The Dangers of a Blanket That's Too Heavy?
While it may be tempting to opt for the heaviest blanket you can find, we certainly don't recommend it at all. It can actually do more harm than good. In fact, it can downright threaten your well-being. You may be trying to acquire a weighted blanket to ease stress, but a blanket that's too heavy can actually increase your stress, which affects your calm and sleep negatively. You may even have trouble falling asleep, to begin with.
Optimal sleep is attained in a cool environment, but a blanket that has too much weight attached to it can actually overheat you, causing your sleep quality to diminish. Then there's the possibility of diminishing quality of breathing, making it difficult to inhale and expel air effectively. All in all, it's just best to stick to the thirty pounds or less rule.
Selecting the Perfect Weight
So here you are, a grown adult seeking the soothing comfort of a weighted blanket. Here, you start at the first step — choosing the correct weight. We're going to provide you with a chart that is designed to help you determine the perfect weight for your size and body type to avoid any health risks associated with too much weight or the disappointing results of a blanket with too little weight.
Of course, the size of the blanket also plays a fairly important part, so it's recommended to take the measurements of your bed into consideration as well. But this chart is fairly accurate for determining the appropriate size for your weight to your desired weighted blanket. Now of course, within the thirty-pound limit, it's mostly subjective. Certain weights will feel better on some over others, so knowing your own preferences is a major key to helping you figure out what will help you the most. No two blankets are usually perfectly identical. The goal of the perfect weighted blanket is to distribute its weight evenly from the middle outwards, which can be difficult if you're forced to share the blanket with others.
Weighed Blankets for Kids?
This is a common inquiry, but a good one. Kids are obviously much lighter than adults but often benefit just as much from the heavy comfort of a weighted blanket as adults do. So how do you figure out if a weighted blanket is a good fit for a child? How heavy should a weighted blanket be for a child? The weight difference is a crucially important factor. St. Louis Children's Hospital made a good point in stating that the extra weight of a blanket like this could actually increase the chances of SIDS occurring. (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
Babies and toddlers need their freedom of movement while sleeping to avoid accidental suffocation. As for older children, we have a better shot at debating it. One year old's and higher could actually benefit from the soothing added weight at nap-time. Just remember that kids don't require near the same weight needs as a grown adult, so it's important to take the correct size and weight measurements before doing any special ordering. This means that if your child is roughly thirty pounds, then a four-pound blanket should suffice perfectly. It may feel like absolutely nothing to us, but it'll weigh a whole lot more to them.
Does Height Matter?
Not especially when it comes to weighted blankets since the priority lies in the comfort of weight distributed evenly. But if you're an exceptionally tall person, then the size of the blanket could definitely play a role. If you like to be fully covered, instead of partially, then it's probably a good idea to make sure the blanket is measured to your height as well as your weight.
Similarly, a shorter person may feel overwhelmed in a king-sized weighted blanket, as even with the weight requirements requested, that's a lot of space the weight has to be distributed over. You'll want to seek out a blanket that fits your body type perfectly for the best results, even if you have to take a height test to do it properly. So if you're wondering if height truly plays a part in how heavy should a weighted blanket be, then it all boils down to each individual person.
All That Really Matters
Ultimately, the only thing that truly matters is your comfort and safety. If you're buying the weighted blanket as a gift, take extra care to make sure it's measured correctly for the best effect and especially so if you're ordering a blanket for a child. Babies are just out of the question. So long as you focus on roughly 7-10-12% of your body weight for the standard measurement, you aren't likely to make any real mistakes in weight measurement.
Remembering the golden weight limit of thirty pounds can make all the difference in resisting the temptation to go all-out weight wise and avoid injury. And while it may seem obvious, you'll want to make sure your blanket covers your entire body so you stay snug and warm and feeling safe the entire time you're bundled up in it. Basically, you'll want your blanket to turn caterpillars green with envy. Take a good look at the size of your bed to get a good idea of how big your blanket should be. If you have any further concerns about your possible needs or desires for a weighted blanket, be sure to speak with your doctor about them. If you have extra body weight, a weighted blanket could actually restrict your airflow, making usage dangerous for you.
It's always good to be conscientious of these concerns before spending your money on such an investment. Weighted blankets tend to run a little on the expensive side, so make sure you get your money's worth before sending it out. A little research into the growing venture of weighted blankets is definitely a good idea. They can come professionally made or you can buy them from artistry venues like Etsy or even eBay. The craftsmanship is usually good quality, but it never hurts to take a look at the reviews first before hitting that payment button. You'll also be well-advised to learn how to properly care for a weighted blanket before throwing it haphazardly into the wash.
Depending on how it was made, the weights could become dislodged inside the material and run all over. Otherwise, the separate material binding the weights could become detached from the lining of the blanket and all your weight will now be unevenly distributed on the inside of the blanket. Obviously, this is a major inconvenience and not one that's easily solved until you have a seamstress in the family. Weighted blankets are only growing in popularity and venues, so shop around and compare your options in price and quality before setting your heart on any one piece. If you're going to ask how heavy should a weighted blanket be, then Google is your friend.
Conclusion
Your weighted blanket exists to bring soothing comfort, warmth, and security while you sleep. Maybe it's to help you sleep. Maybe it's to calm you down during panic or stress. Whatever the reason you use it for, your biggest priority is to make sure it's made to fit you and you alone. Sure you can share it, but you're the one who will use it the most, so make it count.
