Hot and Bothered? This Weighted Blanket is Perfect for You
Relieve your anxiety and cool off.
I’ve been hearing about the wonders of weighted blankets for a while now. Supposedly, they’re amazing for relieving anxiety and they help you sleep more soundly. But, being a “hot sleeper” who often wakes up feeling smothered and kicks the covers off, I thought they weren’t for me. That’s why I was excited to find the Pine & River Chilled Bamboo Weighted Blanket ($69.99, Amazon), a cooling weighted blanket with hundreds of five-star reviews.
Made from bamboo fabric, which has natural cooling properties and helps regulate body temperature, this 60 X 80-inch light blue weighted blanket covers the top of a queen-sized bed without overhanging the sides — so you’ll still want to have a comforter or other blanket underneath it in bed at night. (It’s perfect as-is for snuggling on the couch, however.)
Weighted blankets range from five to 30 pounds, and this one clocks in right in the middle, at 15 pounds. It’s filled with a silica blend, not glass beads like some weighted blankets, so the weight distribution is even across the whole blanket. It’s machine-washable, and can tumble dry on low heat or hung to dry.
If you’re still wondering, as I was, how weighted blankets relieve anxiety, here’s the scoop: Researchers have found that what they call “deep pressure stimulation” helps reduce “autonomic arousal.” Basically, having weight on you can slow down a racing heart and relieve other symptoms of anxiety, such as shortness of breath and insomnia.
For women going through menopause (or perimenopause!), hot flashes and night sweats are a common problem, and might make traditional weighted blankets less than appealing. That’s what makes this cooling weighted blanket so perfect for us.
“I am a very fitful sleeper. Also, I loathe being hot,” wrote one Amazon reviewer. “I have so much love for this blanket because while it doesn’t make me feel too warm, it gives me a sense of “ahhhhh.” I feel calmer and more restful with this blanket on my body.”
This husband scored points with the purchase: “My wife wanted a cooler weighted blanket for the summer. She loves her 20-pound cotton blanket, but it’s too warm. I was worried the bamboo might be too “satiny” but she says it’s perfect — soft, natural-feeling and cool to the touch. New favorite blanket!”
And this parent bought two — one for her teenager, and one for herself: “I know that restful sleep is good for performance, and wanted my college-bound freshman to have the edge. I got one for myself also, to “check it out,” and it was worth the time and money. I recommend it to anyone looking for a restful sleep. It wasn’t hot like I thought it would be; [it was] very comfortable.”
You can find me curled up under mine for the duration of this quarantine…
Where to buy: $69.99, Amazon
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