During the pandemic, many people have had issue with their sleep whether it's due to altered sleep patterns or because they've developed long-Covid.
And in a bid to help relax more at night, people have been searching the internet high and low to find a way to get to sleep faster and to ensure they're not tossing and turning at 3am.
One item that has been popular among those unable to get some much-needed shut eye is Aldi's weighted blanket - and they are cheap in comparison to others on the market.
But what is a weighted blanket and how does it help?
A weight blanket is - as the name suggests - a blanket that is heavy.
These should be 10% of your body weight and are like this so the extra weight mimics a therapeutic technique called deep pressure stimulation.
According to Healthline, it uses pressure to relax the nervous system which can do the following:
- Relieve the perception of pain
- Reduce symptoms of anxiety
- Improve sleep quality
- Relieve symptoms of depression
Research has found that weighted blankets can relieve physical and emotional symptoms causing less distress meaning they are able to relax more.
For example, those with sleeping issues such as insomnia or those with chronic pain, may find a weight blanket more beneficial.
According to Healthline, a 2021 study conducted by researchers at UC San Diego: "found weighted blankets reduced perceptions of chronic pain. Ninety-four participants with chronic pain used either a light or weighted blanket for one week.
"Those in the weighted blanket group found relief, particularly if they also lived with anxiety. The weighted blankets did not reduce levels of pain intensity, though like increased heart rate, using weighted blankets may be beneficial in calming those symptoms.
"In addition to the existing research, there are a number of recent promising studies that provide even more evidence weighted blankets can offer relief from physical pain or symptoms of other conditions."
These include:
- Anxiety
- Autism
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Insomnia and sleep disorders
- Osteoarthritis
- Chronic pain
Medical procedures
Despite the benefits of the weighted blanket, Healthline have said that it may not be suitable for those with obstructive sleep apnea, asthma and claustrophobia.
It should also never be used on toddlers under the age of two.
Taking to the Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK Facebook group and obsessing over the blanket one said: "Really good price - I got a John Lewis one as a Xmas pressie to me and can’t recommend them enough. Make sure you aim for about 10% of your body weight. I *think* these are about 6kg but honestly you can’t go wrong. My hubby loves it as I don't move during the night and nick the quilt!!!"
Another commented: "I have fibromyalgia does me well, this is cheap tho i paid £89 for mine."
A third added: "It’s very cheap I paid about £190 for my daughters as ideally they should be made to the persons height and weight so that is a very very good price."
How to chose the correct weighted blanket
- According to Healthline, as a general rule, a weighted blanket should be 5 to 10 per cent of your body weight - the blanket should also fit snugly to the size of the bed
- Adults can use medium-large weighted blankets ranging from 12 to 30 pounds.
- For a 20- to 70-pound child, a small weighted blanket should weigh from 3 to 8 pounds.
- For a 30- to 130-pound child, a medium weighted blanket should weigh from 5 to 15 pounds
- Older adults may want to use small or medium weighted blankets ranging from 5 to 8 pounds
Aldi's weighted blankets come in a variety of designs from plain grey to to Harry Potter, Minecraft and LOL themed.
