Have you been tossing and turning in your sleep lately? We are making sure that sleep is getting the priority it deserves. And our favorite new fascination? Weighted comforters. 

Whether you’ve only heard speculation of their benefits or are actively scouring the market for the perfect pick, weighted comforters have actually been around for some time and are based on the idea of deep pressure stimulation—basically, a gentle but persistent hugging or holding of the body that relaxes the nervous system. “Deep pressure stimulation seems to have a calming effect,” says psychologist Scott Bea, PsyD, to Cleveland Clinic. “It might take you out of your anxious thoughts by helping you focus on the physical sensation instead.” Whether or not you struggle with sleep, weighted blankets are a great way to get in tune with your body and feel extra relaxed before bed. Here’s everything to know before gifting one to yourself.

What is a weighted comforter?

To put it simply, they’re exactly what they sound like: a blanket with extra weight to them. Our Comforters made for adults range between 15 to 35 pounds. To figure out exactly what weight of comforrter to purchase, we recommend choosing one that’s 10 percent of your body weight. (For example, a 150-pound person should buy a 15-pound blanket.) If you’re between sizes, your best bet is to go up in comforter weight: otherwise, experts speculate that the swaddling effect of deep pressure stimulation may have less of an impact. 

What should I look for when shopping for one?

Weight isn’t the only customizable characteristic here. It’s also important to check the construction of a comforter, and how the beaded filling is divided and contained throughout the internal structure: this can affect how the weight is distributed throughout the blanket as it settles on your body. Our Weighted Comforter is made for a lasting sleep, it’s protective shell is made from weave combined with plush filling, and evenly distributed with glass microbeads for weight. When we say our Weighted Comforter is worth the weight, we mean it. It's a high-quality, comfort-first crafted comforter. An interior quilted layer ensures weight is evenly distributed for a deeper, more restful sleep.Here are some of the perks:

• Quilted 400 TC Cotton Sateen Shell
• Weighted interior quilted layer
• Corner loops for easy attachment to your duvet cover

What are the benefits of using one? Weighted comforters are designed to be just heavy enough that they create the sensation of a hug. (A ready-made hug? Sign us up!) Like human contact, the pressure and warmth reduce cortisol (the body’s stress hormone) and increase serotonin and dopamine levels (the body’s “feel-good” neurotransmitters.) So next time you’re watching Netflix or reading your book of the month and don’t have a cuddle buddy, grab your weighted comforter instead for the same comforting sensation.

Whether you’re a fidgety person in general or tend to move around a lot at night, weighted comforters are suggested to also help subdue restlessness without feeling restricting. Let the weight help relax your muscles to reduce tossing and turning in your sleep or that constantly-tapping foot during the day.