Simba may be best known for its rolled-up mattresses, but the brand’s sleep-promoting expertise extends far beyond what we sleep on, it seems. The Orbit weighted blanket promises “better, deeper sleep”, and we found it delivered, allowing our tester to sleep soundly throughout the night. Henderson recommends practising deep belly breathing when using a weighted blanket, to help activate our “rest and digest” response. “The mind’s focus is then on the sensation of the blanket and the breath, not any thoughts that had been racing beforehand, meaning it can also be used as a mindfulness tool when used in this way,” she explains. What is the science behind weighted blankets? The cotton is super-soft next to the skin and breathable for ultimate comfort, which our tester found helped them sleep much better than without the blanket. And we particularly like that this weighted blanket works just as well draped over the bed as it does in the living room on a chair or sofa. The design is gorgeous and comes in a range of colours, including a berry red, green, grey and blue. We were also impressed by the ethical production process that ensures every worker at each stage is paid a fair wage. The main priority is that it feels comforting, not too heavy and not too light. It is always a good idea, where possible, to try a few different weights around the 10 per cent guide, to see what feels good. The blanket should encourage the feeling of rest and relaxation and help soothe and calm the body and mind. It’s important to choose a texture that feels soothing too, nothing that will irritate your skin.” Is it OK to sleep with a weighted blanket every night? Henderson recommends that people with a medical condition or concerns about using a weighted blanket consult a medical professional before investing. And young children should be supervised when using a weighted blanket. How to wash a weighted blanket

Dinosaur Weighted Blanket Adult - Etsy UK Dinosaur Weighted Blanket Adult - Etsy UK

Most weighted blankets are designed for use by one person or, even if it’s a particularly big one, they usually won’t cover the whole bed. But the Baloo weighted comforter is designed to be large enough for sharing, snuggling and sleeping soundly under. You’re even likely to find one that will cover your entire bed, so long as it’s no bigger than a superking. Many people will understand the frustration of nights spent tossing and turning, when counting sheep does little to take you into the land of Nod. Treatments are available for insomnia, but those looking for a non-medicated route to better sleep would do well to give weighted blankets a go. As the weighted blanket that proved most effective at soothing our testers to sleep and keeping them in the land of the Nod until the alarm went off in the morning, the Simba orbit weighted blanket had to be our best buy. It’s not the cheapest blanket, but the quality and design warrant the investment.

Weighted blankets FAQs

Textures can play a big part in soothing our senses, which is why we liked the TheaWellbeing blyss weighted blanket. The velvety cover included in the box feels wonderful next to skin, and we often found ourselves running our hands along the dimpled detail throughout. Although you’re unlikely to use the weighted blanket without the cover, it is also beautifully smooth and silky.

Dinosaur Weighted Blankets - Etsy

It may also help to stimulate the vagus nerve to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which signals to the body that it is time to unwind and relax. The blankets can be useful for people who struggle to relax or have problems getting to sleep.” Its Karma switch blankets come with removable covers in various colours, including indigo, olive green, peachy petal and, of course, grey. And if that’s not enough choice, the covers are reversible to offer an additional option, and they can be bought separately to give so much more choice. Karmara’s weighted blankets are also available in a wide range of weights, including 6kg, 8kg, 10kg and 12kg.Some people prefer the lighter feel of a duvet, says Henderson, and she suggests using something you already have at home to evaluate if the sensation of sleeping under a weighted blanket is for you. “Using a few large bath towels on top of your duvet can give you a good alternative feeling of how the weighted blanket might feel before you invest in one.” Plus, once the ties were used to secure the weighted blanket inside the cover, it was not moving anywhere and stayed in place until we removed it for washing. We tested this weighted blanket in the 6.8kg option, but a heavier 9kg version is available too.

Dinosaur Weighted - Etsy UK Dinosaur Weighted - Etsy UK

The general rule is to start with a weighted blanket that is about 10 per cent of your body weight, says Henderson. “So, someone of 11 stone, 154lbs, would use a blanket with a weight of around 15lbs. This is recommended only as a guide; preferred weights can vary between 5 per cent to 12 per cent of a person’s weight. Another option is to have one placed on top of a lighter tog duvet, so you can easily remove one or the other as needed. In the winter, both together has the additional benefit of warmth and weight to help encourage a good night’s sleep. The verdict: Weighted blankets We were also thrilled with the quality for the price because weighted blankets aren’t always the most budget-friendly buys. But the blyss is an excellent value-for-money investment that is brilliant for use in bed and for getting cosy during the day while working from home or evenings in front of your favourite Netflix series. The blanket also comes with a drawstring dust bag to keep it fresh while it’s not being used. It’s up to you – some people like to replace their duvet with a weighted blanket, whereas others like layering them both, particularly during the colder months. If the sizes match up, you can also use a duvet cover on your weighted blanket, to keep it clean. When starting to use a weighted blanket, start with approximately 10 minutes and observe the change in your body and mind before and after use,” suggests Henderson. “Make sure it feels comfortable, secure, and you can move it easily as needed. If it feels good after that time, then you can increase the time to 20-25 minutes and again just observe how you feel after that time.

Is a weighted blanket better to use instead of a duvet?

It’s generally safe for adults to sleep with a weighted blanket every night – in fact, our tester now sleeps under their Simba blanket at all times. Starting slow can be a good idea, though. From the studies that have been done, there is a common theme that weighted blankets may be a useful tool to help with anxiety symptoms,” says Henderson. “There have been various studies in different scenarios, from patients in a psychiatric facility to patients receiving chemotherapy. Results have shown that anxiety levels were reduced by up to 60 per cent with the use of the weighted blanket.” However, experts agree more research is needed. How do I choose the right one/weight for me?