Sleep was never considered important until a few years back. I mean, it was understood that sleeping is important to go about the day, but putting in the effort to bring up accessories and advancements to improve sleep quality has caught people’s attention recently.
When we look around, we can notice governments working on sleep and the science related to it. Why? Because this rather simple part of routine effects greatly affects our health. One of the advancements we have seen in the area of sleep is Weighted Blankets.
Weight blankets are used for compression over the body while the person is in a relaxing mood. Compression helps with many advantages, but it sure brings disadvantages along, too.
The weighted blankets have gained so much attention and are so loved by the audience. Maybe that is the reason behind its ‘oh so high’ prices, which made people ask about the alternatives to these sorts of blankets.
Weighted blankets surely have some alternatives, but before heading to that part, let’s just be clear on what the weighted blankets are used for.
So, let’s get going with the article.
What Are Weighted Blankets Used For?
Weighted blankets date back to 1997, and with time, the accessory is becoming more and more important to have as depression and anxiety are becoming common among all.
However, weighted blankets are not only used for people suffering from depression and anxiety. The use of a weighted blanket is more than just one.
See the following table to find out all of the potential circumstances when you can use a weighted blanket.
| Use of Weighted Blankets | Explained |
| Improves Mental Health | When people are anxious, they need reassurance from people no matter what they say. In these times, people need someone to be at their side. A weighted blanket does that job. |
| Fights Anxiety | Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder get anxious easily. A weighted blanket gives them the comfort and security of a trusted person. |
| Helps Improve AHDH Condition | It is difficult to be at rest and focused with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Weighted blankets help to improve this condition by working with its gravitation effect on such people. |
| Helping ASD Symptoms | Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder get anxious easily a weighted blanket gives them the comfort and security of a trusted person. |
| Working With Sensory Processing Disorder | People who find it difficult to get sensory or are hyperactive for searching a good means of sensation can find ease under the pressure of a weighted blanket. |
| Better Quality of Sleep | When people are anxious, they need reassurance from people no matter what they say. In these times, people need someone to be at their side. A weighted blanket does that job. |
What Can I Use Instead Of A Weighted Blanket?
There are a few options that can work well as an alternative for weighted blankets.
Weighted blankets are used to put pressure on a person for better sleep and to solve many other problems that directly affect the human brain.
Following are some effective and efficient alternatives that can work just like a weighted blanket would.
- Sleep Pod: A sleeping pod is a wearable blanket that covers the whole body till the neck. This thick blanket is enough to put pressure across the body.
- Bean Bags: Often, people use bean bags as an alternative to a weighted blanket, which, if you ask me, seems a little weird. You can either sew blankets over your bean bag or put them under a comforter’s cover to make it a weighted blanket, but whatever you do, please be sure that the bean bag must not exceed the weight of 20 pounds.
- Woolen Material: Blankets made out of wool are rather heavy compared to the rest of the material used. If, for any reason, you cannot use a weighted blanket, use a woolen blanket for almost the same effects.
- More Than One Blanket: Take a couple of blankets until you find the ideal weight, which is not too low and not too much, and use those blankets as one to make a weighted blanket. You can either put them in one cover or sew them together.
- Towels: If you have a comforter with a cover, you can add on some towels to give the comforter the weight you desire to form a weighted blanket.
Does These Alternative Work For Toddlers, Too?
Sure, these alternatives can work for toddlers, too, except for the bean bags. Also, you need to be extra cautious with things when a child is concerned.
Alternatives like a comforter cover, towels, woolen blankets, and sleep pod all work well as an alternative to a weighted blanket. However, a sleeping pod is the best option, in my opinion.
A sleeping pod is like a swaddle that can cover your kid to give them the right kind of compression and a feeling of compassion like their parents.
Is It Possible To Make A Weighted Blanket At Home?
Yes, it is possible to make a weighted blanket at home to cut down the extra expense you have to bear for the one you buy from the market. However, keep in mind that the task is not easy and requires a lot of hard work.
The most important thing one needs to make a weighted blanket is a sewing machine. The rest of the material can be chosen by choice.
You can pile up a few blankets to put in a cover or sew them together to make one weighted blanket or you can sew some blankets over a bean bag or make the weighted blanket from scratch.
To make a weighted blanket from scratch, take a material as a cover and some pellets or beads as a filling. Make a cover by sewing three sides and leaving one for the filling to get inside. Once the filling is done, sew the one side as well.
Check out this video and learn to make a Weighted Blanket at home.
Summary
In this article, we have gathered:
- Weighted blankets are beneficial in many health conditions.
- Weighted blankets work for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and anxiety.
- The compression through these blankets helps to improve the quality of sleep while this pressure is also good for sensory disorder.
- It is true that these blankets are loved by many but the cost of them can have a toll on your wallet.
- To avoid any burden, there are a few alternatives that you can choose instead of a weighted blanket.
- These alternatives include bean bags, a couple of blankets together, woolen material blankets, a comforter cover, and a few towels sewn with your comforter.
- Some of these options are practical while some of them are impractical and can be harmful if not used with caution.