COULD adding a little weight to a blanket be the secret to reduced anxiety, better sleep and improved performance on the bike? Well, some people certainly say it helps, experts included.

“There’s real comfort in the warmth and security of a weighted blanket,” says W. Christopher Winter, president of Charlottesville Neurology and Sleep Medicine, and author of “The Sleep Solution.” “We hug people when they’re upset; we swaddle babies; we tuck kids in so they feel safe at night.” A weighted blanket offers a similar sensation, and lots of people use one to slash stress and improve sleep — successfully at that.

Weighted blankets are exactly what they sound like: blankets with weight added inside — usually around 15 to 25 pounds via glass beads or pieces of plastic — for a soothing, calming effect.

“A weighted blanket reminds you that your physical body is secure and not in danger,” says Esther Saggurthi, a primary clinician at Maryland House Detox, Delphi Behavioral Health Group. “And it brings the brain back to thinking of the physical body, instead of emotional stressors.”

Saggurthi says that a weighted blanket makes a solid natural alternative to sleep aids or alcohol, which a lot of people turn to for relaxation when they have trouble sleeping. “A weighted blanket is a much better non-habit-forming option,” she says.

While research on the topic is limited, people with mental health issues reported a 60 percent reduction in anxiety after using a 30-pound weighted blanket, according to a small study in the journal Occupational Therapy in Mental Health. Insomniacs also noted improved sleep quality when they used weighted blankets for a small study published in the Journal of Sleep Medicine and Disorders. While more research is needed, the early findings are promising.

When choosing your weighted blanket, keep a few things in mind.

First off, “it’s important to consider the weight of the blanket in relation to your own weight,” Saggurthi says. “A smaller person will feel pinned down by something too heavy, which can then induce the opposite effect: panic from not being able to move.”

Look for a blanket that weighs approximately 10 percent of your weight, per the Harvard Medical School. On that note: Don’t use weighted blankets on children and babies. “They’re too heavy for them,” Saggurthi says.

Winter says to keep the temperature in mind, too. The National Sleep Foundation suggests keeping your room between 16 and 20 degrees Celsius for optimal shuteye. If a weighted blanket interferes with your body temp, look for one with cooling properties and breathable fabric.

(SD-Agencies)