3 Reasons a Highly Sensitive Person Needs a Weighted Blanket in Their Life

Here are three ways highly sensitive people can benefit from a weighted blanket, as well as lots of buying tips and recommendations. The popularity of weighted blankets continues to rise. They were once considered a special needs tool, but have in recent years become mainstream sleep aids. These blankets are a common topic in the Happy Sensitive Kids community, with many of you asking for advice.

I recently bought one for my husband for Christmas. In his words it was the best present he’s ever had. It has made a huge difference to how soundly he sleeps. It hasn’t come off his side of the bed since he got it.

What is a Weighted Blanket?

As the name suggests, a weighted blanket is a heavy blanket filled with beads or pellets made of glass, metal or plastic. These beads or pellets are evenly distributed across the blanket, sewn into sections.

The weight of the blanket applies soft and even Deep Pressure to the body. The blankets are commonly smaller than the regular duvet or blankets you are used to having on your bed. The size and the weight combine to have a cocooning effect on the body.

1. A Weighted Blanket Soothes Anxiety

Studies have shown that the Deep Pressure of the blanket over you has a calming effect. Think of it as a long lasting hug. We all know the positive power of a hug! That pressure increases the feeling of security and helps the body relax.

This is a result of the serotonin (stress reducer) produced in the body, triggered by the deep pressure. In turn this is turned to melatonin by the body.

This is why the impact of a weighted blanket on an overstimulated highly sensitive person, particularly a child, can be distinctly positive.

Tip: It doesn’t have to be nighttime, or bed time, to use a weighted blanket. Sitting on the sofa after a busy or tough day wrapped in your blanket will yield the same soothing, calming impact. Think about a highly sensitive child at the end of a school day.

“When my HSC is having an overwhelming emotional time, meltdown, or recovery from panic we lay this on him. He responds immediately and tells me how good it feels.” Happy Sensitive Kids Community Member

Another mother in the HSK community reported that her teenage son effectively uses his blanket for self-calming.

2. A Weighted Blanket Aids Sleep

For many of the same reasons that these blankets soothe anxiety, they also aid sleep. If you are a fitful sleeper then a weighted blanket might just have your name on it.

The pressure of the weighted blanket calms the nervous system. And that’s good news because a highly sensitive person’s nervous system is highly tuned!

What’s great about the way a weighted blanket aids sleep is that it’s completely natural.

“When (my HSC) wakes from nightmares now he will ask for the weighted blanket and it puts him back to sleep quickly.” Happy Sensitive Kids Community Member

The pressure a weighted blanket applies aids relaxation but also increases comfort levels. It also makes it more difficult to physically move around in your sleep, making sleep less fitful and in turn less disturbed.

“We just bought one for my 5 year old HSC. ……she definitely sleeps more soundly with it. She wakes less, sleeps better, and sleeps longer in the morning.” Happy Sensitive Kids Community Member (bought from Mama Bear Creations in New Zealand)

Tip: For more helpful sleep tips read How to Help a Highly Sensitive Child Sleep.

3. A Weighted Blanket is Therapeutic

It’s not just anxiety that can be eased using a weighted blanket. There are other issues that can be helped sleeping under the pressure of a weighted blanket.

Restless leg syndrome is one example. Insomnia is another.

Stress is another. Mulling over the day, the lows and the highs, worrying about your to-do list, climate change and world hunger are all things that commonly keep a highly sensitive person awake at night.

If you experience this kind of stress whilst trying to get to sleep a weighted blanket can help calm that racing, busy mind.

What You Need to Know About Buying a Weighted Blanket

There are many weighted blankets out there: different companies, different sizes, different materials, various filling, and a whole host of prices.

It can be hard to know what to look for so here are some general tips.

Safety

There are safety aspects you should be aware of when using a weighted blanket, particularly with a child.

You can buy weighted blankets in different weights and it is important that you buy a blanket suitable for a child.

If you have circulation or respiratory problems you should consult a doctor before using weighted blankets. The same advice applies to heavy snorers.

Hygiene

You can buy washable covers for weighted blankets, which help protect the blanket and make cleaning it an easier prospect. Some blankets can go direct in a washing machine and a tumble dryer.

Size

As well as differentiating between children’s and adult blanket weights, it’s useful to know that there are various sizes too. For example, you can buy a blanket big enough for a couple, or one just for you.

Buying one blanket for the two of you should only be done if you have the same needs. As an example, this wouldn’t be an option for my and my husband as I am a hot sleeper and he is rarely warm enough. Make sure you tailor the blanket to individual needs.

Filling

The filling varies in these blankets and it is worth noting that children with sensory issues may be adverse to a particular filling. One parent commented that her child was bothered by the noise the filling made when the blanket moved. It’s a factor to consider.

Which Blanket?

• Before you buy, consider hypoallergenic options if applicable to your needs.
• If you tend to get warm at night choose a weighted blanket that will keep you cool. According to Amazon the YnM Cooling Weighted Blanket is one of the best out there.

• Baloo Living makes eco-friendly weighted blankets that are certified chemical free with breathable cotton for year round use. The company also supports the Pajama Program. Furthermore, as a free extra Baloo Living sends you a link with the purchase of a weighted blanket to download Tibetan and crystal singing bowl sounds. An extra natural aid to get you sleeping like a baby. But not like a highly sensitive baby, I hasten to add…….
• Hey Moonbaby sells weighted blankets for children specifically as sensory aids.

• Weighted blankets can be expensive (but be sure to weight up the benefits against cost) so doing your research helps. Some companies offer a trial period so you can try it out first.
• You can also buy weighted lap pads for children to use as an alternative to blankets.
• If you are handy with a sewing machine you can make your own but make sure the filling is washable. There are lots of local, talented, creative sellers out there (on Etsy for example) if you want to consider all your options.

Over to You

I would love to hear your own experiences – positive and negative. Have you made a blanket yourself? Is there a brand you particularly recommend? Share away below.

*For your convenience, this post includes affiliate links to products useful for the HSK community. They cost you nothing more to buy, but I get a small commission.*