Help Anxiety and Better Sleep
While shopping in a department store for a new pillow to help me sleep more comfortably, I stumbled across a weighted blanket.
At first, I thought it was just a warmer down comforter and didn’t pay much attention to it. Then, the words, “helps anxiety” caught my attention. I may have even snickered at the thought that a blanket could indeed help with anxiety. I bought my pillow at the store and went home. That very same night, I was staring at my bedroom clock, wondering why my new pillow was not the magical cure to my inability to get comfortable in bed and fall asleep. I literally got out of bed and started an online search for “weighted blanket.”
What is a Weighted Blanket and Would it Work For Me?
I was surprised to see that a weighted blanket is designed to intentionally mimic deep pressure massage therapy. That’s the therapy that has been shown to produce neuro chemicals to make you feel calmer. The distribution of materials inside a weighted blanket can help the body and mind relax and help someone get to deep sleep. I was also surprised to see that weighted blankets are available in many types of fabrics like cotton, bamboo, sherpa fleece, and more.
There was no time like the present to solve my sleep issues. In fact, I had nothing to lose but the sale price of $78.74 (off the regular price of $104.99) by purchasing the Luna Luxe Cotton Weighted Blanket on Lunablanket.com. The Luna brand is devoted to helping a population that is typically sleep-deprived achieve better sleep. The prices of weighted blankets vary and the Luna Luxe Cotton Weighted Blanket was a reasonable price compared to some very high price tags.
Features and Benefits of the Luna Luxe Cotton Weighted Blanket
What’s inside this weighted blanket is part of the magic. The plush 300-thread count OEKO-TEX 100 certified fabric is filled with highly-quality glass beads that provides the ideal weight distribution to help you soothe anxiety and get a more restful sleep in addition to other benefits.
Benefits of the Luna Luxe Cotton Weighted Blanket:
:: Fall asleep faster
:: Create a biochemical reaction to touch therapy
:: Settle the nervous system through Deep Pressure Touch
:: Induce calm and simulate a warm hug
The blanket comes in the following colors:
:: Beige
:: Black
:: Blush
:: Camel
:: Dark grey
:: Indigo
:: Ivory
:: Light blue
:: Light gray
:: Terracotta
The weight options are as follows:
:: 15 lbs. full
:: 15 lbs. queen
:: 20 lbs. queen
:: 20 lbs. king
:: 25 lbs. king
Note: A weighted blanket should be about 10% of the user’s body weight.
Some Facts About the Weighted Blanket
Insomnia is the difficulty of falling asleep, staying asleep, or returning to sleep.
And, just as a physician may recommend relaxation techniques like massage and meditation to combat insomnia, this blanket is a good option for achieving similar sensations. That’s because weighted blankets help support deeper sleep and a sense of calm by providing firm, gentle, and consistent pressure as used in deep pressure touch massages. The blanket evenly disperses the weight and pressure on the body as it signals the brain to produce the neurotransmitters required to get a restful night of sleep.
If you or someone you know relies on melatonin supplements or other sleep aids, consider that a weighted blanket is designed to help your body naturally produce serotonin and melatonin. That’s no surprise since serotonin is the neurotransmitter that regulates mood, sleep, appetite, and cognitive functions. The weighted blanket helps reduce stress, which helps reduce cortisol (the stress hormone) in your body. And the less stress you feel, the better you’ll sleep.
My Opinion of the Luna Luxe Cotton Weighted Blanket
I agree with the company’s description that it “simulates a warm hug.” But I would go one step further and describe the Luna Luxe Cotton Weighted Blanket as a cross between a hug, a baby’s swaddle, and a safe cocoon. The pressure of the 15-pound style of the weighted blanket I bought was an interesting feeling at first, but I quickly got used to it. Before I knew it, I was falling asleep much quicker than usual.
I appreciate the softness of the 300-thread count fabric and the reinforced seams that make it sturdy despite the heavy weight. Please note that the weighted blanket should fit your body, not the size of your bed. Unlike a comforter, the weighted blanket will not drape over the sides of the bed. From experience, the Luna Luxe Cotton Weighted Blanket is not exactly designed for use by two people.
A few cons, the Luna Luxe Cotton Weighted Blanket allows you to spot-clean. It is not machine washable and while I understand why, that’s not a positive feature for me. Of course, the Luna Luxe Cotton Weighted Blanket is too heavy to pack when traveling. So, I miss it when trying to sleep away from home.
You Must Carefully Follow the Beginner Instructions for a Weighted Blanket
The Luna brand makes it very clear that you must use the Luna Luxe Cotton Weighted Blanket gradually. In fact, it suggests that you place it over your current comforter, across only your legs for one full week. When you’re used to the sensation, increase coverage of the weighted blanket from your legs up to half of your body for another few days. Only when you’re feeling completely comfortable with the weighted blanket are you ready to place it over your entire body without a comforter in between. According to the brand, scientists claim that it takes 2 to 3 weeks to form a deeper sleep habit.
Do I Recommend the Luna Luxe Cotton Weighted Blanket?
While I can say that the Luna Luxe Cotton Weighted Blanket has worked for me, I still experience some restless nights. However, perhaps I may have consumed too much caffeine in the evening or had an unusually stressful day. So, I can’t fault the blanket for my occasional inability to fall asleep quickly.
I will say that the weighted blanket is soft and comfortable, and I truly believe it has reduced my anxiety. And once I fall asleep, it helps me stay asleep. That’s a remarkable improvement as I typically wake up around 2am. While the stitching seems tight and the cotton material is sturdy, I am careful with the blanket.
Weighted blankets are never safe for pets. I am very careful to keep the dogs and their sharp claws far away from the weighted blanket. There are also serious cautions that weighted blankets are not appropriate for infants or young children who don’t meet specific size requirements. Weighted blankets for kids are available in the ideal weight and sizes for children but before considering a weighted blanket for a child, discuss it with your pediatrician.
The Luna Luxe Cotton Weighted Blanket is the type of product that you should be experienced for yourself. You will need to try it to see if it works to help reduce your anxiety as well. When I first tried my weighted blanket, I was skeptical of its calming properties. I was surprised that a blanket could help me feel so relaxed. And now, months later, I look forward to the heaviness of the blanket at night. It helps calm me and improves my sleep. So, this blanket has got me covered!
