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It's that time of year, when climbing into bed feels like snuggling up in an ice box and we're all looking for ways to stay cozy while keeping the heating costs down.
For a quick boost of warmth, it's hard to beat an electric blanket. Switch it on, wrap yourself up and enjoy being enveloped in comfort.
But heated blankets still contribute to your electricity bills, plus they're difficult to layer and they can't always be safely used on your mattress (foam beds need to watch out.)
There's a safer alternative that's just as cozy and doesn't require any electricity at all: a weighted blanket.
Cozy comfort that's easy to layer
Weighted blankets are typically made with many small pockets, each pocket filled with tiny beads. Draped over you, these weights deliver even pressure that feels like a big 'hug' and can be used to fight anxiety.
These weights make weighted blankets thicker and heavier than your average bedding, keeping you warmer on cold nights.
But there are some disadvantages to weighted blankets. For a start, they aren't suitable for those with sleep apnea, as they can restrict breathing. It's also important you can easily move around under the weighted blanket. For that reason, it should weigh no more than 10% of your total body weight.
Warm up immediately with an electric blanket
For a quick delivery of warmth, electric blankets are hard to beat. They're also cheap to run: Puffy calculates a night of using an electric blanket will cost you around $0.08.
However, if you plan on sleeping under an electric blanket, there are significant disadvantages.
For a start, you might find you get a little too warm, particularly as electric blankets are rarely breathable. Once you've taken off the chill, you might find yourself throwing off the blanket.
Electric blankets can also damage memory foam mattresses (and hybrids featuring layers of foam.) Heat softens memory foam. Too much heat causes foams to sag. That impacts the support the mattress provides.
And leaving an electric blanket on as you sleep is a safety hazard. If you have a tendency to doze when snuggled up, your electric blanket should be fitted with auto-off or timer-off options.
How a weighted blanket can help you stay warm and save
Becky George, our bedding go-to, has recently started using a weighted blanket and described it as the key to "cozy, restful sleep." Here's why we recommend them for supporting your winter sleep (and budget.)
1. Easy to layer
Our bedding expert Becky George described layering as "essential to stay warm and not overheat." Layers allow you to adjust your comfort according to the ambient temperature, whether it's icy cold or a mild evening.
It's easy to layer a weighted blanket. Simply add it to your usual bedding set up and take it off as needed.
It's harder to layer an electric blanket. For a start, it delivers enough warmth on its own that you won't need extra covers... at first. But once the heat switches off, you might find it cools quickly and you're reaching for your comforter.
And while a weighted blanket plays nice with other bedding, you have to be careful using your electric blanket in combination, as the warmth can damage materials such as foams.
2. Doesn't use electricity
The electricity consumption of a heated blanket is much lower than your heating system, meaning it's a cost-effective choice for staying warm at night.
However, if you frequently use an electric blanket, these cents add up, particularly if you tend to leave it plugged in overnight resulting in vampire energy (nowhere near as cool as it sounds.)
Weighted blankets are a one time expense, with no extra costs down the line even if you use it all night long.
3. Cozy, calming feel
The even pressure of being wrapped in a weighted blanket can increase levels of serotonin and oxytocin, two hormones associated with happiness and contentment.
This pressure also has the benefit of helping reducing restlessness. That means you're less likely to toss-and-turn, keeping you in your cocoon — and away from the cold patch in the middle of the bed.
Other ways to sleep cozy this winter without touching the thermostat
Now for the shocking part: you sleep better when you feel cool. This mimics the natural flow of your circadian rhythm.
Okay, that's not that wild but as the perfect temperature for sleeping is around 65-70°F, you might find curling up under your electric blanket actually makes it harder to sleep.
To sleep well without your teeth chattering, we recommend these methods:
- Layer up: Yes, we're going to keep banging this drum. Layering up is the best way to stay cozy without overheating, as you can adjust the layers to suit your needs.
- Use breathable bedding: Materials with good airflow (such as cotton, bamboo and wool) allow you to add plenty of those oh-so important layers without trapping yourself in a cocoon of hot air.
- Take a warm shower or bath before bed: A pre-bed shower warms you up on the outside and when you leave the shower, your core temperature drops, preparing you for sleep.
- Have a warm drink: A steaming mug of sleep-inducing tea is a cozy addition to your evening routine and can take off the chill before bed.
- Wear socks to bed: Bed socks increase blood flow to the feet, dropping your core temperature to help you drift off. And it means you won't shock yourself awake when your ice cube foot brushes against your leg.
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