Whether you suffer from anxiety or just enjoy a deep, cozy sleep, a weighted blanket might be all you need to take your sleeping habits from decent to phenomenal. 

Of course, if you’ve never used a weighted blanket before, you might be skeptical about its pros and wary of any cons. One of the most common concerns is whether or not weighted blankets are hot, especially for more sensitive sleepers. 

To answer and better understand this worry, let’s break down exactly what weighted blankets are and how they improve people’s sleeping patterns.

What is a weighted blanket?

First, a weighted blanket is like any other blanket, except for the fact it is filled with material that weighs it down. Many people who haven’t tried a weighted blanket before say it’s hot, but they actually mean it’s heavy. 

After all, most weighted blankets range from five to thirty pounds, depending on the size. For someone more used to a sheet or even a quilt, this increase in weight might be surprising at first. However, “heavier” doesn’t automatically mean “hotter.

What is a weighted blanket made of?

Fabric 

It’s common knowledge now that to feel your most comfortable, everything from your clothing to your bedding should be made out of breathable, often natural fabrics. This preference should extend to your weighted blanket to make sure you stay cool all night. 

Here’s just a few of the best fabrics for weighted blankets:

  • Cotton
  • Bamboo
  • Microfiber

These three are ideal because they are often more breathable than that of other fabrics, and cotton and bamboo, especially, can be 100% natural or organic. 

In contrast, here is a list of some of the hotter fabrics you should avoid:

  • Wool
  • Flannel
  • Silk
  • Acrylic
  • Polyester

Think of this as an easy way to decide on the best fabric for you—if you wouldn’t use a regular blanket made out of it, why use it in a weighted blanket?

It’s okay to use a weighted blanket made of synthetic fibers, as long as the fabric is also breathable and allows air to circulate. Often times, it is the hot air trapped between your body and the blanket that causes you to feel hot, and not the blanket itself. 

Filling

Like the fabric, choosing a filling that isn’t too hot or heavy is equally important to guarantee a cool night’s sleep. Again, sometimes you might not be able to find a completely natural filling, and that’s okay. 

In fact, these are some of the most common fillers:

  • Sand
  • Plastic beads
  • Steal shot beads
  • Micro glass beads
  • Plastic poly pellets

Since the filling is usually what contributes to the weight from these blankets, you should choose a weighted blanket with the best filling for you. The artificial or synthetic fillings do frequently run hotter and heavier. 

However, probably the biggest concern with the fillings in weighted blankets is their weight distribution. A more compact filling will better assure that there is no unequal weight shifts as you move around. 

Nothing will make you feel hotter than all that weight on top of only one part of you!

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What size weighted blanket is best?

Now that you know which fabrics and fillings might be best for your nighttime needs and routines, it’s time to decide which size weighted blanket you should consider. 

To avoid thinking you’re overheated because a weighted blanket is actually too heavy, pick one that is most appropriate for your size. 

For example, if you’re frame is lighter and smaller, then you don’t need the full thirty pounds. If you’re looking for a weighted blanket for a child, then you should definitely choose either a specifically children’s blanket or one that is only five to seven pounds. 

On the other hand, if you plan to share a weighted blanket between yourself and someone else, make sure you choose a larger one. Note though that “larger” doesn’t have to mean “heavier.” The weight should distribute evenly, after all, over both bodies.

How does a weighted blanket help?

If you’re still unsure about the difference between the heat and heaviness with weighted blankets, you might be wondering if a weighted blanket is worth all this extra consideration. 

If your current bedding situation keeps you awake more than it should, it might not be dense enough. The whole purpose of a weighted blanket is to add a comforting weight on top of you while you sleep. Just that extra weight can do wonders for calming both the mind and body, which then better prepares you to sleep peacefully and steadily. 

For instance, a weighted blanket helps with all kinds of issues that might keep you awake and agitated, such as:

  • OCD
  • ADHD
  • Anxiety
  • Insomnia 
  • Restless leg syndrome 

How does a weighted blanket relieve these problems, you ask? The pressure from a weighted blanket calms your nervous system, similarly to how people so often feel better after a hug.

Why should I use a weighted blanket?

When you use a weighted blanket, it’s like you have a built-in stuffed animal or friend to keep you comfortable and cozy on even your most restless nights. 

So many of us toss and turn in bed while our minds review the day, but nighttime is supposed to be your chance to relax, both physically and mentally. Of course, that’s often easier said than done. 

When you sleep under a weighted blanket though, the pressure helps prevent your mind and heart from racing and improves your overall quality of sleep. Remember to choose one best for you, then enjoy a restful sleep every night.