Can a weighted blanket help you get a better night’s sleep?

A comfy mattress, be it firm or soft, and a good pillow are all essential for a good night’s sleep but increasingly people are also buying weighted blankets to help them relax. A weighted blanket is exactly what it sounds like, a blanket that is heavier than your usual duvet. They are normally filled with either plastic pellets or glass beads and their extra weight is designed to provide a light pressure that has a therapeutic effect, like being held, which for some,  leads to a sense of calm, reduced anxiety and better sleep. Sensory integration theory suggests that deep pressure can have a calming effect on the nervous system which can help with a host of anxiety issues, troubled sleep, insomnia, restless leg syndrome and can even help calm people with an autism spectrum disorder. What is a weighted blanket and how does it work? What are the benefits of a weighted blanket? Are there any concerns about weighted blankets? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to more episodes, click here: What is the internet of senses? What is goblin mode? What should I eat before going to bed? A Bababam Originals podcast. Written and produced by Amber Minogue. In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices