Did you know that weighted blankets can calm the physical and mental symptoms of anxiety and help you sleep better – without medication?
Which is awesome!
But, it’s also true that weighted blankets don’t work for everyone. So, before you buy one, how do you know whether a weighted blanket will work to help you sleep better?
Sensory-seeking People Get the Most Benefit from Weighted Blankets
Weighted blankets work best for people who are sensory-seeking.
And to get the best result, they should be sensory-seeking both during the day AND in their sleep.
So, let’s unpack what sensory-seeking means and the four types of sensory behaviour during sleep.
What is Sensory-Seeking Behaviour?
Some people crave stimuli to their 5 senses and will do things that feed their senses.
It may look like:
- Little sense of personal space and touching of other people’s arms, including strangers;
- Seeking out physical contact, such as hugs;
- Rubbing hands over specific textures;
- Chewing or sucking on objects or clothing; or
- Fidgeting.
But remember, you also need to seek sensory feedback in your sleep. Typically you can identify this if you need someone to snuggle with or rub your back to help you sleep. Or perhaps you have an object – such as a pillow – that gives you a sense of security so that you can sleep.
But it can be hard to know if you’re doing this in your sleep because…well, you’re asleep. And this is all subconscious behaviour that is driven by how our individual nervous system is wired.
So let’s find out how you can know for sure.
It’s All About Your Sensory Sleep Type
There are – broadly – four different types of sensory behaviour during sleep. These are:
- Highly sensory-seeking sleeper;
- Medium sensory-seeking sleeper;
- Low sensory-seeking sleeper; and
- Sensory-avoidant sleeper.
Let’s unpack what each of these mean.
Highly Sensory-Seeking Sleepers
If you are a highly sensory-seeking sleeper then you actively search out some type of physical feedback to help you relax and sleep better. This could be in the form of snuggling a partner, loving the feeling of a pet’s body on the bed, enjoying lying under a heavy doona or being a relatively restless sleeper who moves around in bed.
Perversely, a high sensory-seeking sleeper may actually kick their covers off in their quest for some form of physical feedback.
A weighted blanket will work to help a highly sensory-seeking sleeper sleep better. They will benefit from using a weighted blanket as the reassuring pressure provides the physical feedback that they naturally want.
Medium Sensory-Seeking Sleepers
Medium sensory-seeking sleepers also seek physical contact in their sleep, but not to the same extent as highly sensory-seeking sleepers.
Instead, they will cuddle up to their partner or stroke the blanket, sheet or pillow.
They may rub their own feet or legs together as well.
The bottom line is that medium sensory-seeking sleepers are also likely to find a weighted blanket helps them sleep better for longer.
Low Sensory-Seeking Sleepers
People who are low sensory-seeking sleepers don’t require that much physical pressure to help them sleep better. But they do – subconsciously – want some.
So, they may rub the bedding with their hands or twist the sheet or the edge of the pillow case.
Low sensory-seeking sleepers may find a calming weighted blanket helpful to improve sleep, but other strategies can be just as effective.
Sensory-Avoidant Sleepers
People who avoid sensory contact in their sleep typically don’t like feeling another body in their sleep zone.
If you are a sensory-avoidant sleeper, then a weighted blanket is unlikely to help you sleep better. Instead, here are some other calming strategies that can help you sleep better.
What Do I Do Next?
If you are a sensory-seeking sleeper who thinks a weighted blanket will help you sleep better, head over to our store and browse our range of beautiful Australian-made weighted blankets.
What Our Customers Say:
The blanket looks like it will last a long time, quality is good.
Customer service fantastic! Manufacture and dispatch extremely prompt. Product is of excellent quality. Only drawback is that the material used has a faint urine-like smell, so I’m going to wash it per instructions.
Very good. Fast delivery. Is very good quality used every day at school for my son. And washed weekly and colour hasn’t faded.
Actually had one of these already but it was taken from me at security when I tried to take it on board with my for an international flight 😥 but now I have this one which is even better because one side is cotton, which feels better for me sensory-wise. Definitely something I use every day and I'm really glad there was a 5kg option because every other site I've been to only has little ones for kids. I'd 100% recommend it to anyone, worth all of my money (twice!)
This shoulder wrap is so well made and it really helps me unwind. It instantly helps to relax the shoulder muscles and then after about 10 minutes of wearing it I feel a sudden whole body relaxation effect kick in. I highly recommend it.
I use this ALL THE TIME. I bring it to work, I use it anytime I'm sitting at home, I use it to help me settle down at night when I go to sleep. This instantly calms and grounds me. The material and weight is perfect.
The quality is excellent, and it was made and posted very quickly. My son loves the textured fabric and lap blankets are much easier to move around the house and use in different locations than full size weighted blankets. We absolutely love it, thanks you!
It is perfect, my daughter who has sensory concerns sleeps better, this is her 2nd blanket from Calming Moments has she has grown.
We could not be happier with the results from buying this sensory sheet. Little miss asd sleeps so much better. The quality of the sheet is amazing and we plan on getting a back up sheet.
Amazing service, very quick and My 6 year old loves it.. has really helped him concentrate in the classroom to have on his lap while working.
Fantastic! That’s what describes the experience I have had. All my questions where answered, great communication either email or phone and the weighted lap pad was a massive hit with my daughter. I know I will be coming back to get more items for my daughter.
Well made, high quality fabric and stitching. Excellent email communication. This is the second lap pad I have purchased, my first one keeps getting “borrowed” by my kids.
I purchased the weighted blanket because my best friend pointed out that I may have anxiety because I told the only thing that could get me to sleep was by putting a pillow or some weight on my legs. It didn’t occur to me until she mentioned the weighted blanket and toys. I then tried out the lap weighted blanket over my legs while I sit on the couch, at my desk or when I sleep and I feel that exact soothing, calming feeling I need. Thankyou!
I bought this for my son who has some problems regulating his emotions etc since buying it if he feels overwhelmed he goes straight to the blanket and he is calm in 5 minutes. Best thing I bought him
It's been great as a sensory tool. Sometimes she pulls it off the bed and uses it like a sensory sock.
I bought the Purple and Shiny Weighted Snake to use with my ASD students at school, but my 11yr old (neurotypical,but prone to anxiety) son found it and has adopted it as his own. He loves the weight, but also the sensation of letting the beads trickle from one end to another. And I think the 3 different fabric textures is a great feature. Very well-made too, as with all Calming Moments products.
My order was made and despatched quickly, status updates were sent so I knew exactly what was happening with my order. The Sensory Narwhal Plush Weighted Toy was exactly as advertised, it looked and felt fabulous. It was a gift for someone and they were delighted with it. I was very pleased that it is a locally made product, the quality of the product and the customer service were all exceptional.
I bought this sensory weighted turtle for my son.he loves it and the texture is soft and has great quality.
I highly recommend this product.
I love that I could make my own combination that reflects my personal choices and tastes.
My 7yo daughter loves her Narwhal. She has called it "Sprinkles". Lovely quality and weight. It's just gorgeous!
My 9yo son loved his turtle immediately. It is SO soft and the weight is lovely. I kind of want one for myself!
I love that we were able to tailor the lap pad to my son’s interests and sensory needs. I also love that there are different weights for different ages which helped me chose the right weight for him. Would definitely buy from here again.
This product is beautifully made. I loved being able to choose the colour. We use it for reading and to help with concentration for tasks like handwriting and siting at the table for meal times. The quality of calming moments products is excellent. My son also uses a weighted blanket made by Calming Moments for sleeping which has stood the test of time.