FAQ's

What is a weighted blanket?

A weighted blanket is a therapeutic blanket that is typically 3-5 times heavier than your typical duvet, quilt or comforter.

Designed to weigh approximately 10% of your total body weight, a weighted blanket provides the same incredible feeling you experience when being hugged or cuddled.

Weighed down with tiny quartz glass beads, they’re scientifically proven to help lower stress and anxiety through deep touch pressure being applied evenly to your body, stimulating the release of ‘happy hormones' including serotonin and melatonin which can help to make you feel calm and relaxed.

How does a weighted blanket work?

A weighted blanket utilises the concept of deep touch pressure to manage and control our mood, emotions and energy levels. Tiny quartz glass beads are encased in an ultra-soft layer to allow your weighted blanket to uniquely mould to the shape of your body and apply deep touch pressure.

When our bodies pressure points are triggered, envisage those snuggly hug feels or the tension relief felt during a deep tissue massage, it regulates our hormone levels by reducing cortisol and increasing serotonin and melatonin.

What weighted blanket weight should I choose?

A weighted blanket should weigh around 8-12% of your body weight, with 10% being recommended.

Our weighted blankets are currently available in either 6.8kg or 9kg weights. If 10% of your body weight doesn't fit exactly into one of those categories, our sleep experts recommend bumping up to the next, heavier option. 

It is important that you are able to remove the blanket off your body by yourself. 

Will my weighted blanket reduce stress?

Often called the ‘stress hormone’, cortisol is responsible for a number of bodily functions, including:

• Blood pressure regulation
• Blood sugar balance
• Inflammation response
• Energy level regulation
• Sleep-wake cycle control

When elevated too frequently and over long periods of time, cortisol can cause a number of health issues:

• Weight gain (appetite stimulation and aggravated body fat storage)
• Constant fatigue
• Mood disorders, including depression and anxiety
• Increased inflammation and compromised immunity
• ‘Foggy brain’ and memory difficulties
• Digestion problems
• Sleep disorders

Using a weighted blanket can help prevent cortisol production, reducing stress levels as you sleep.

How will my weighted blanket improve my sleep?

The full-body deep touch pressure effect of a weighted blanket stimulates a chain of chemical reactions in your body designed to improve sleep.

Often referred to as the 'happy hormone', serotonin is the hormone that makes us feel good and impacts our wellbeing and sleep quality greatly. When serotonin levels drop, sleep suffers.

Increased irritability accompanies sleep deprivation, leaving us feeling anxious or depressed.

Increased levels of serotonin often correspond to reduced time spent in REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. REM sleep is the stage of sleep where we dream deeply, but surprisingly, it's during the non-REM sleep stages that our brain obtains restorative rest.

Boosting low serotonin levels can increase the period of time spent repairing and healing at night, and can be achieved naturally by simply resting under a weighted blanket and letting deep touch pressure work it's charm.

Another crucial factor of serotonin is its relationship to a sleep-inducing hormone known as melatonin with serotonin acting as a precursor to melatonin.

How long before I notice the benefits of using my weighted blanket?

It's important to understand that the time it takes for a weighted blanket to work its magic varies from person to person. Like a new bed or pillow, resting under a weighted blanket can take time before your body adjusts. Selecting the correct weighted blanket weight will help ease your mind and body to an improved state of sleep in no time. 

We've included a few helpful tips to keep in mind when you start using a weighted blanket:

• You can begin using your weighted blanket by placing it only to cover your legs to begin with. 
• To help your body adjust, use your weighted blanket for only 30 minutes the first two or three days.
• Allow yourself a minimum of 10 nights to begin feeling the benefits of a 6.8kg/9kg weighted blanket.
• Weighted blankets work best when they’re part of your sleep habits. 

Can I share the blanket with my partner?

Unfortunately our weighted blanket products are designed to be used by individuals which means you have permission to be selfish and keep it all for yourself. 

Each member of a couple should have their own weighted blanket for optimal weight distribution and deep touch pressure stimulation. 

Am I able to wash my weighted blanket?

Washing a weighted blanket is as simple as using one. All of our weighted blankets have easily removable outer covers that are completely machine washable. Simple remove the inner weighted blanket from the outer cover and wash separately on a gentle cycle. 

To ensure the longevity of your weighted blanket and the upkeep of fabric integrity, we recommend washing the inner weighted blanket layer by hand. To dry the blanket, we suggest air drying or tumble drying on air only setting. 

Our weighted blankets can also be dry cleaned. 

What are the dimensions of your weighted blankets?

Still have a question that you're dying to have answered? Send us an email at hello@driftblankets.com.au