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After years of insomnia I curled up under a weighted blanket — and it was miraculous

Alexandra Clay

Updated January 27, 2023 at 3:46 AM

For as long as I can remember, I’ve had trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. I struggle forever to nod off, wake up at 4 AM unable to quiet my mind, and my brain goes into overdrive, hopscotching from money worries to future grocery lists to imminent story deadlines. When my alarm goes off in the morning, I wake up dazed, confused and exhausted. And as it turns out, I’m not alone. According to a study released by the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, roughly 25 percent of Americans experience acute insomnia each year. After years of restless rest, I heard about the Gravity Blanket and decided to try it out.

Gravity

Gravity Upgraded Cooling Blanket with cover, queen size

$236$295Save $59

Just like the original blanket but perfect for hot sleepers. The duvet cover is made of cooling lyocell, which is a plant-based textile. The queen-size blanket weighs 35 pounds, which is a good weight for two adults. Available in eight colors including forest green, dusty pink and grey (shown here).

$236 at Amazon

Enter the weighted blanket

After years of restless rest, I heard about the Gravity Blanket. It’s a weighted blanket that, according to the manufacturer, provides “deep touch pressure stimulation” to help boost your mood and promote solid sleep. The science behind these blankets is inconclusive, but to put it in simple terms: Since you’re all snug inside it, you kick and shift around less and, in theory, sleep much better. The blankets come in different weights, to cater to different-sized sleepers and personal preferences.

Grey gravity blanket wrapped around a woman. — Rest up with a Gravity blanket, the original weighted blanket that started the craze. (Photo: Amazon)

Now, I’m not a scientist. I barely passed botany in college. So I don’t know why, but the Gravity Blanket works! When I crawl under it, it feels like the best kind of warm, all-encasing hug. I opted for the lightest version because I tend to get hot at night; it’s juuuuust right for me. Not too hot, not too cold and weighted the ideal amount. Unlike your average flimsy blanket, it doesn’t shift or roll off or wind up on the floor. It stays put — heavy and velvety — and brings a sense of deep ease so you can just exhale. I can only compare it to the calm that would descend on my newborn when I used to swaddle him.

Beneath my new velvety bedmate, I’ve slept through the night for two weeks straight.

Gravity

The Original Weighted Gravity Blanket with Duvet cover, Queen/King size

$240$275Save $35

The queen/king-size Gravity blanket weighs 35 pounds, which is a good weight for two adults. This version has a duvet cover that buttons over the blanket to give your bed a finished look. Available in six colors including white, teal, navy, and grey (shown here).

$240 at Amazon

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The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.