How Much Should Your Weighted Blanket Weigh?

When it comes to sleep, there is no product that is too expensive or too excessive. In fact, because sleep is so important for the human nervous system, immunity, and mental health, investing in items that help you get a better rest is not only a priority but a must. 

With that in mind, it's no wonder that weighted blanket blankets have become a staple of many people's nightly routines. While these effective and comforting additions are certainly worth the money, there might be confusion as to how heavy your weighted blanket should be to ensure the best sleep. You see, not all weighted blankets come with the same poundage, and rather than choosing one at random, it's important to know which will work for you. Just like Goldilocks, there is one just right weight for everyone, and a simple trick can help you choose the ultimate sleep aid in seconds. All you need to do is calculate what 10% of your body weight is, and this is the weight you will look for in your blanket.

It seems astonishing that such a simple trick is not widely known by everyone. While this tip is gaining notoriety and acknowledgment, not all people utilize this effective method of choosing their perfect weighted blanket. Although brand, price point, and reviews are both excellent specs to go off of, it's the mass or poundage of your blanket that will make the difference in your sleep pattern and comfort levels. From cooling weighted blankets that keep you from overheating to a DIY weighted blanket, the first order of business should be choosing one with the ideal weight for you.

Weighted blankets serve a variety of purposes and offer a plethora of benefits. While they are touted as some of the best sleep aids on the market, their comforting weight is also helpful in calming anxiety, relieving stress, and even helping neurodivergent people find respite and security throughout their day. Weighted blankets have come a long way from being an extravagant purchase, and they can really help a multitude of humans, offering not only better sleep, but a better daily routine too thanks to more solid resting patterns, REM cycles, and physical and mental relief.

While this is great news for anyone who has trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or getting comfortable, it is important to choose the correct weight to ensure your body is getting exactly what it needs. Weighted blankets work by creating pressure therapy, which swaddles or gives the feeling of being held, both of which have positive connotations. If you choose one that is too heavy, it can create an uncomfortable feeling or even produce pain, while a blanket that is too light may not offer all the benefits associated with these products. 

When shopping for this item, calculate what 10% of your current body weight is. You can do this by using online tools to help calculate percentages or simply multiply 0.10 by your body weight. For kids, aim for 5% if you're concerned about it being too heavy, and if your 10% number falls between two options, the lighter of the two will probably be the better choice. Pro tip: If it weighs less than 20 pounds, you should be safe to wash your weighted blanket in your washing machine, too!