Nothing’s better than cuddling up in a warm blanket! You can’t fall asleep without one and probably even have a few casually thrown on your couch to curl into while binging Netflix. Some people even wear blankets as clothes!
Personalized blankets also happen to be really popular gifts. At Quality Logo Products, we sell over 200,000 every year. 7% of these orders are for Sherpa blankets, which are the most fuzzy, comfy, and warm of every type of blanket. Our customers have asked us why they should order blankets over any other custom item, so it got us thinking….why do we love blankets so much?
The science of blankets is more fascinating than you may think. It all comes down to the crazy way our brains are wired!
Why Do We Use Blankets?
We use blankets to cuddle on the couch, sit outside on the ground, curl up by a bonfire, and of course, fall asleep at night. Many people even have an emotional attachment to their favorite blankets.
People need to fall asleep with blanket, even if it’s hot, for four main reasons:
- We don’t regulate body temperature during REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. For this reason, we need blankets when we’re in this stage of deep sleep so we don’t wake up feeling insanely cold.
- As you cuddle under a blanket, your serotonin and melatonin levels increase. These chemicals help us relax, calm down, and eventually get some much needed shuteye.
- A blanket feels like extra security and protection when you’re asleep and at your most vulnerable. It has to do with the weight of the blanket on your body.
- Blankets have been associated with sleep since we were babies. As a result, your brain will automatically think it’s rest time when you’re under one.
Overall, we are attached to blankets for both biological and psychological reasons. They keep us warm, but also reduce feelings of insomnia or restlessness. We feel more calm and at ease with a blanket over our bodies.
How Do Blankets Work?
A blanket traps your body heat, creating a “microclimate” that keeps you warm. You’ll be cozy regardless of the temperature in the room.
Thermodynamics is the branch of science that explains how blankets work. When you’re under a blanket, the temperature from the blanket transfers to your body and vice versa. The heat from one cannot exist without the heat from the other.
If you think about it, this concept makes total sense. Your blanket probably wouldn’t be warm if it was outside in the snow, right? It needs to be kept in a moderate to warm room in order to properly regulate your body temperature.
What Are the Benefits of Sleeping With a Blanket?
“Warmth” and “comfort” are two words that are always associated with blankets. You’re on the right track if you sleep with one every night. There are many perks to your health and emotional well-being!
Benefits of sleeping with a blanket:
Prevents Interrupted Sleep
Your body naturally drops in temperature during the last few hours of the circadian rhythm. Without a blanket, you may be too chilly and end up getting roused from your deep sleep.
Tricks Your Brain
It’s important to have a bedtime routine so you can unwind and relax. Getting under the covers is a simple cue to your brain that it’s time to start feeling sleepy.
Calms the Nervous System
The weight from a blanket slows down your heart rate and eases feelings of anxiety. When you’ve had a long day, it can help to curl up under a warm, heavy blanket.
Keeps You Healthy
Mayo Clinic warns that restless sleep weakens your immune system, causing you to get sick a lot easier. A blanket makes you more comfortable, which in turn, cuts down on tossing and turning, leading to a better night’s rest.
Warms Your Heart
Above all, a blanket has the power to make you feel happy and content. This mood boost is definitely a welcome way to start a new day!
Do Heavy Blankets Make You Sleep Better?
Experts believe that weighted blankets may improve your sleep quality. They work through deep pressure stimulation, easing anxiety, stress, and depression.
Not everyone will want to sleep with a heavy blanket, but they may be beneficial for those who suffer from sleeping disorders like insomnia, restless leg syndrome, or sleep apnea. Give a weighted blanket a try if you’re dealing with any of these issues.
Is it Bad to Sleep Without a Blanket?
It’s not necessarily bad to sleep without a blanket, but it can definitely make it more difficult to doze peacefully. Even in the summer, you should have a lightweight blanket over your body.
Is your blanket making you feel too hot? Here are some tips to cool down!
- Turn on a fan
- Open a window
- Shower before bed
- Stick out your feet
- Freeze a washcloth
- Use a lightweight blanket
- Keep the blinds shut
- Drink enough water
- Sleep in the nude
- Buy a cooling mattress pad
Turn On a Fan
Are you trying to save costs this summer? Buy a fan instead of turning on the air conditioner when it’s time to sleep. You’ll feel cooled down even while under a blanket.
Open a Window
Even if it’s a muggy day, you’ll still get a cross breeze if you open your bedroom window. Try to open it a couple hours before you sleep, so it isn’t too stuffy in your bedroom at night.
Shower Before Bed
A quick shower can help cool you down before you hit the hay. It also saves you time in the morning so you can roll out of bed a little bit later. Win-win!
Stick Out Your Feet
It may look silly, but if you’re overheating under your blanket, try to stick your feet out from underneath. This cools down your internal temperature, making you a bit more comfortable at bedtime.
Freeze a Washcloth
Put a wet washcloth in the freezer, and right before you go to bed, take it out so you can rest it on your forehead. You will feel cool as a cucumber and ready for a good night’s sleep!
Use a Lightweight Blanket
Put your fleece or Sherpa blankets away for now, and trade out your usual comforter for something more lightweight. Silk, bamboo, and linen blankets are all breezy options to sleep with on a hot summer’s night.
Keep the Blinds Shut
Close the blinds or drapes in your bedroom on a sunny day. By the time you’re ready for bed, the room will be nice and cool. As a bonus, the room will also be dark, which is recommended for a sound sleep.
Drink Enough Water
Be aware of how much water you’re drinking throughout the day. You end up feeling hot and flushed when you’re dehydrated, so enough water can make a difference in feeling cooler at nighttime.
Sleep in the Nude
As long as you’re comfortable, go ahead and sleep in your birthday suit. Does sleeping naked make you cringe? Wear brightly colored pajamas made from a lightweight fabric. Dark colors will absorb the heat!
Buy a Cooling Mattress Pad
If being too hot is an ongoing issue, it might not be a bad idea to splurge on a cooling mattress pad. You’ll set this up on top of your mattress, creating more airflow when you’re too hot at night. On a budget? Try a cooling pillow instead!
Can You Sleep With Too Many Blankets?
You can overheat if you sleep with too many blankets. In fact, consultants advise keeping your bedroom cold. This makes it easier for you to shut down at night and wake up easily in the morning.
How Many Blankets Should You Sleep With?
It’s up to you how many blankets you sleep with, but if you share a bed with a partner, it may be time to buy a second blanket. Research shows that couples may actually sleep more soundly if they use two blankets instead of sharing one.
The quantity of the blankets doesn’t matter as much as the quality. You want to sleep with a large, soft blanket that covers you entire body from your shoulders to well past your feet.
It’s also a good idea to have a variety at home. You can sleep with thick, fuzzy blankets on cold nights and thin, lightweight ones on hot nights. Wash your blankets regularly and enjoy the comfort!
Which Blankets Are Warmest?
The material makes a difference as to how warm a blanket feels. The heavier the fabric, the warmer is will be. The thread count also impacts the cozy factor as the higher the thread number, and the more tightly woven together, the thicker and comfier the blanket.
Is it a chilly night? Cuddle up in any of these warm blankets:
- Down comforters
- Weighted blankets
- Heated blankets
- Quilts
- Wool blankets
- Flannel blankets
- 100% cotton blankets
- Sherpa blankets
- Fleece blankets
- Mink blankets
- Faux fur blankets
- Cashmere blankets
- Space blankets
- Feather blankets
If you live in a cool environment, you should definitely have at least one of these blankets at home. You’ll be happy for the extra warmth!
How to Store Blankets
Blankets are awesome, but they can also end up all over your house. Since they’re thick and bulky, they’re kind of annoying to put away. You need solutions that save space and keep your rooms clutter-free!
Do you have way too many blankets around the house? Try any of these genius storage ideas!
https://www.contemporist.com/blanket-storage-ideas/
Stuff the Blankets in an Ottoman
https://craftsyhacks.com/blanket-storage-ideas/
Hang in the Closet
https://sunlitspaces.com/7-creative-ways-to-storeorganize-blankets/
Keep Blankets in a Large Bin or Basket
https://craftsyhacks.com/blanket-storage-ideas/
Repurpose a Magazine Rack
https://www.remodelaholic.com/easy-ways-store-blankets/
Put Blankets on a Shelf
https://www.basketlady.com/products/underbed-wicker-storage-box?variant=1953889860
Shove Under the Bed
https://topdreamer.com/how-to-store-blankets-in-the-living-room-in-a-cool-way/
Place Blankets on a Rack
https://www.hgtv.com/design/decorating/furniture-and-accessories/blanket-ladders-we-love
Buy a Stylish Blanket Ladder
Drape Over a Chair or Couch
https://www.hgtv.com/design/remodel/interior-remodel/5-multifunctional-storage-furnishings-you-need
Hide Blankets in an Armoire
https://practicalperfectionut.com/store-and-organize-blankets/
Fold Into a Vacuum Sealed Bag
Before you put your blankets away, throw in a few scented dryer sheets so they don’t get a musty smell. You’ll be happy for the fresh scent when it’s time to use them again!
Why Are Blankets So Comforting?
A blanket is like a bowl of chicken noodle soup. It’s warm and comforting, especially on a chilly night. We end up feeling an emotional attachment to the blankets we use at home.
An article published by Live Science found that adults have sentimental feelings to certain blankets and think of them as “security objects.” When you’re having a tough day, just the feel of your favorite blanket can be enough to make you feel better.
Stats for Success
The ideal body temperature for sleeping is 65°F to 72°F.
40% of adults still sleep with a baby blanket.
The U.S. market for blankets was valued at over $7 million in 2021.
The Bottom Line
After reading all about blanket science, you’re probably ready for a good nap. Tonight when you go to bed, say a few kind words to your favorite blanket. It does a lot to make you feel relaxed, secure, warm, happy, and above all, snug as a bug!
References
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https://sleeperholic.com/why-do-we-feel-safe-under-a-blanket/
Rodriguez, J. (2019, October 8). Why Do We Need Blankets to Sleep, Even When It’s Hot. Retrieved from,
https://www.ctvnews.ca/lifestyle/why-we-need-blankets-to-sleep-even-when-it-s-hot-1.4629752
Nelson, B. (2021, January 27). There’s a Scientific Reason Why You Always Sleep Under Blankets – Even When It’s Hot. Retrieved from,
https://www.thehealthy.com/sleep/why-we-sleep-under-blankets/
Grunge. (2017, December 16). The Real Reason Humans Need to Sleep Under Blankets. Retrieved from,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpMBs1STmaw
Drake, G. Thermodynamics. Retrieved from,
https://www.britannica.com/science/thermodynamics
Silver, N. (2019, December 13). What is the Best Temperature for Sleep? Retrieved from,
https://www.healthline.com/health/sleep/best-temperature-to-sleep
Kassel, G. (2019, February 12). Is it Unhealthy to Sleep with a Baby Blanket or Stuffed Animal as an Adult? Retrieved from,
https://www.shape.com/lifestyle/mind-and-body/unhealthy-sleep-baby-blanket-stuffed-animal-adult
Van Gelder, K. (2020, November 24). Global Market Value of the Blanket Market 2018-2027. Retrieved from,
https://www.statista.com/statistics/1000105/blanket-market-size-worldwide/
Caruso, C. (2021, April 21). Why We Sleep With Blankets, According to Science. Retrieved from,
https://www.healthdigest.com/389394/why-we-sleep-with-blankets-according-to-science/
Sweeney, E. (2020, September 11). Why Separate Bedding Could Guarantee Couples’ Better Sleep, According to Experts. Retrieved from,
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/relationships/a33902224/separate-bedding-two-blankets-research-benefits/
Olson, E. (2018, November 28). Lack of Sleep: Can It Make You Sick? Retrieved from,
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/insomnia/expert-answers/lack-of-sleep/faq-20057757
Noyed, D. (2021, April 29). Weighted Blanket Benefits. Retrieved from,
https://www.sleepfoundation.org/research-methodology/weighted-blanket
Lockett, E. (2021, October 26). Do Weighted Blankets Work? Retrieved from,
https://www.healthline.com/health/anxiety/do-weighted-blankets-work
Casper. (2020, June 22). How to Stay Cool at Night: 25 Tips. Retrieved from,
https://casper-blog-2020.flywheelsites.com//how-to-stay-cool-at-night/
Green, E. (2021, July 16). How to Keep Cool at Night: 15 Ways to Beat the Heat. Retrieved from,
https://www.nosleeplessnights.com/how-to-keep-cool-at-night/
Your Morning. (2019, October 8). Sleeping Without a Blanket Isn’t As Easy as It Sounds. Retrieved from,
https://www.qualitylogoproducts.com/promo-university/fiftyfifty-vs-100percentcotton.htm
Pappas, S. (2010, October 10). Even Grown-Ups Need Security Blankets. Retrieved from,
https://www.livescience.com/8737-grown-ups-security-blankets.html
Money Minded Mom. 11 Blanket Storage Solutions to Keep Your Bedding Organized. Retrieved from,
https://www.moneymindedmom.com/storing-blankets/
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