The One Thing This Sleep Doctor Is Gifting Everyone This Year
Updated: May 12, 2023
A sleep gift that helps ease anxiety and promotes calm, leading to better Zs, is perfect for everyone on your list.
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Give the gift of better sleep
How often do your friends, family, co-workers, and social media acquaintances complain about how tired they are or how they were up all night tossing and turning?
Probably daily, considering the results of a 2020 poll from the National Sleep Foundation, which found- that almost half of all Americans say they feel sleepy during the day between three and seven days per week. Plus, about 35 percent of all U.S. adults report sleeping on average less than seven hours per night, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Perhaps they’re all missing the one thing that would make a huge difference in the length and quality of their slumber: a Bearaby weighted blanket. And wouldn’t it feel amazing to give everyone you know this precious gift of sleep? Both a sleep doctor and The Healthy’s e-commerce editor agree! A Bearaby weighted blanket is a perfect Christmas gift.
Here’s what you need to know about the blanket, including why it’s the closest thing to gifting someone a good night of sleep.
What it is and how it helps people sleep
Lulu Guo, MD, a member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, loves personally testing sleep products, but one in particular is her favorite.
“A weighted blanket has made an easy and significant improvement in my personal sleep,” says Dr. Guo.
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Although there are many weighted blankets on the market, Dr. Guo has a preference for a holiday gift. “My favorite one is from Bearaby,” she says.
Bearaby’s Cotton Napper is hand-knit from organic cotton and comes in your choice of 10-, 15-, 20-, and 25-pound weights. It’s perfect for all seasons (the organic cotton means it is naturally breathable and never suffocating) and is machine washable, too.
“Weighted blankets have been around for a long time, especially for kids with autism or behavioral disturbances,” Dr. Guo says. “In recent years, more focus has been on how touch is a basic need that provides calming and comfort during sleep.”
A weighted blanket increases the sensation of touch and, similar to acupressure and massage, stimulates the calming and sleep-promoting systems of the body, according to Dr. Guo.
A 2020 study in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine had 120 people with depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, or ADHD, use either a weighted blanket or a light blanket for four weeks. Researchers found that people using the weighted blanket reported reduced insomnia symptoms, better sleep maintenance, and higher daytime energy levels. They also reported fewer symptoms of fatigue, depression, and anxiety.
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Why Dr. Guo likes Bearaby weighted blankets
“I like that the Bearaby weighted blanket is 100% cotton and hand-knit,” Dr. Guo explains. “It has great weight distribution, is easy to clean, and has a cooling effect for hot sleepers. A weighted blanket can help promote deeper sleep, ease anxiety, and decrease insomnia.”
Her Bearaby weighted blanket gifts have been well-received by many. “I have friends and family who report deeper sleep after using a weighted blanket and now cannot sleep without one,” she says. “This is one of my favorite gifts during holidays or special occasions, as everyone can see the value of getting a better night’s rest.”
It’s important to note, however, that not everyone should use a weighted blanket.
“People with sleep apnea or other chronic medical conditions should check with their doctor before doing so,” Dr. Guo cautions. Sleep sound machines can also help people drift off.
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Where to buy
Bearaby weighted blankets come in several styles and materials. Choose from the Cotton Napper, Tree Napper (made from moisture-wicking Tencel fabric), the Velvet Napper (made from recycled marine plastic), Nappling (designed for kids), Hugger (queen-size, for your bed), or Travel Napper (which comes in a handy duffel bag).
Bearaby uses only quality and sustainable materials designed with our planet’s health in mind, no matter which one you order.
When choosing your Bearaby weighted blanket, keep in mind its weight should be roughly 10 percent of the recipient’s body weight (e.g., a 150-pound person should choose a 15-pound blanket). Following this tip ensures you’ll reap the benefits, while still allowing for movement and comfort. Purchases come with free shipping and a 30-day “peace of mind” return policy.
Go ahead and present your loved ones with the gift of sleep this year. With all the extra weighted blankets, Santa is going to have one heavy sleigh.
- Lulu Guo, MD, a member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, and a sleep consultant for Valley Sleep Center
- Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine: "A randomized controlled study of weighted chain blankets for insomnia in psychiatric disorders"
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: "Short Sleep Duration Among US Adults"
- National Sleep Foundation: "Sleep in America Poll 2020"
Originally Published: November 09, 2021
