Why Do We Sleep with Blankets? 10 Unexpected Benefits for Health

Why do we sleep with blankets? Blankets are not simply thick fabric layers that keep us warm during cold nights, they provide us with a range of health benefits. From improving sleep quality, mental health to supporting blood circulation, this habit can enhance your rest. In this blog, we will explore the benefits of sleeping with blankets and tips to enhance our sleep quality.

Key Takeaways:

• Blankets do more than keeping, they play a vital role in sleep quality.

• Blankets can influence feelings, relaxation and even mental health. 

• Blankets can promote several sleep issues such as: ADHD focus and PTSD 

• The right blanket can completely improve your sleep. Are you using them correctly?

Discover the surprising health benefits of sleeping with blankets

Why Do We Sleep with Blankets? 10 Amazing Health Benefits You Should Know!

1. Regulate Body Temperature

One of the most popular answers for “why do we sleep with blankets?” is their function to regulate body temperature. But how do blankets work to achieve this? Our body temperature naturally drops during sleep whether the weather’s cold or hot.

Blankets help regulate body temperature for better sleep.

Blankets help maintain warmth, prevent discomfort caused by sudden temperature change at night. Additionally, blankets also support our body heat retention, promote a more stable sleep.

2. Help Fall Asleep Faster

​​According to Havard Health survey, when we wrap ourselves in a blanket, we will feel safe and more relaxed. This feeling of consolation facilitates us to unwind, temporarily escape from work and fall asleep more quickly.

3. Enhance Sleep Quality

Research about influence of blankets on sleep quality indicates that blankets are important as they enhance sleep efficiency by offering a sense of comfort and security. We can drift into deep sleep more easily with the tender, warm sensation from blankets. Sleeping with blankets minimizes nighttime awakenings, allowing for deep sleep and better energy recovery.

Feel more comfortable and secure with blankets when sleeping.

4. Reduce Anxiety and Stress

As a soothing hug from our beloved, napping underneath a blanket creates a calming effect. The American Psychological Association’s survey indicates that sleeping with blankets helps reduce the cortisol produced (the stress hormone) while increasing serotonin (the “happiness” hormone). As a result, we can unwind and reduce symptoms of anxiety.

5. Promote Serotonin and Melatonin Production

Melatonin and serotonin are naturally released at night to control sleep circulation. Therefore, the use of blankets at the same time can stimulate these hormones emancipation. The weight and warmth promotes rest and supports the body’s ability to produce melatonin for deeper sleep.

Blankets increase serotonin and melatonin for deep sleep.

Additionally, sleeping with blankets also has long-term effects on body chemistry. Lower cortisol (the stress hormone) and increasing serotonin, melatonin helps regulate mood, movement and impulse control.

6. Reduce Danger of Colds and Respiratory

Some people wonder “why do we sleep with blankets even in summer?” Blankets both preserve body heat and protect us from some dangerous external factors such as:cold drafts and airborne dust. Sleeping under a blanket helps reduce the threat  of colds, sore throats, and other respiratory problems, especially at some point of iciness or whilst snoozing in an air-conditioned room.

7. Enhance Blood Circulation and Muscle Tension

Sleeping with a blanket keeps the body temperature steady, helps blood vessels expand, and improve circulation. This habit promotes relaxation time and supports better recovery after working or studying hard. Additionally, it is especially beneficial for the elderly or those who often experience muscle soreness.

Sleep with blankets to improve blood flow and muscle tension

8. Enhance Sleep for Children and the Elderly 

Children and the elderly have a more sensitive nervous system. Therefore, they can easily wake up due to some sudden changes at night. Sleeping with blankets maintains body warmth, creates a sense of comfort and security so that they can sleep deeper. Getting enough sleep with high quality can improve their health.

Keeps children and the elderly warm and comfortable at nights

9. Support Individuals with ADHD Focus

ADHD is known as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. People with ADHD usually have difficulty concentrating and falling asleep due to increased brain and physical activity. According to research by Bolic Baric V. and his associates, sleeping with blankets keeps the body calm, minimizes restlessness. Consequently, we can sleep more restful and deeper

10. Lower PTSD Symptoms

People with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) have difficulty sleeping  because we have already witnessed or experienced a terrifying event. They have to suffer from anxiety, and nightmares. The gentleness from blankets creates a calming effect when we sleep. This facilitates lower anxiety levels, diminishes nightmares in order that we can go to sleep and stay asleep more effortlessly.

Sleeping with blankets reduces PTSD symptoms

4 Pro Tips to Sleep Comfortably with Blankets

Although sleep with a blanket offers different benefits, using it incorrectly can cause discomfort or disrupt our sleep quality. Here are some useful tips to help us get the best night rest with blankets.

1. Choose Suitable Blankets for The Weather

• In the Winter: We should opt for thick blankets made of cotton-filled, fleece, or sherpa blankets ro retain warmth and protect ourselves from low temperature at nights.
• In the Summer: We should prefer lightweight, breathable blankets made of cool fabric so that we can both stay cool and regulate body temperature.
• In air-conditioned rooms: We should choose a medium-weight blanket such as : cotton blanket, fleece blanket,… that keeps us warm without trapping too much heat so that we can feel more comfortable during the night.

Remember to choose the right blanket for each season.

 2. Pay Attention to Blanket Materials

The material of blankets directly affects our sleep quality. We should choose the most suitable ones to feel more relaxed when sleeping.

• Cotton or cotton-filled blankets: soft, breathable, and suitable for all seasons.
• Silk blankets: cool, luxurious, best for summer season or air-conditioned rooms.
• Sherpa or fleece blankets: excellent heat retention, ideal for cold iciness nights.

3. Keep Blanket Clean

If we don’t regularly clean blankets, we can easily get some health issues because blankets can accumulate dust, bacteria, and dust mites. Sleeping with dirty blankets can lead to some common diseases such as: pores, skin infection, allergies, or respiratory issues. To ensure a healthy and hygienic sleep condition, we should:

• For lightweight blankets, we should wash our blanket at least once or twice a month. For thicker ones, we can wash once per season.
• After washing, we can dry blankets under sunlight to eliminate bacteria and odors.
• When we preserve unused blankets, we should use a cover to reduce dust buildup.

Keep blankets clean to prevent allergies and bacteria.

4. Adjust Sleeping Position

• Avoid covering our face and neck with blankets when sleeping to allow better airflow and prevent breathing discomfort.
• Don’t wrap your body too tightly with blankets as it can lead to restriction and uneasiness.
• Choose the right size blanket in case you usually move a lot during sleep to prevent it from slipping off.
• Consider using a weighted or elastic blanket if we have back or joint pain so that we can have better support for sleep.

Use blankets properly for the best sleep quality.

>> Read more: How do you get rid of static on a blanket – Quick and helpful tips

FAQs

1. What Happens If We Sleep Without Blankets for a Long Time?

Sleeping without blankets for a long time can disrupt sleep cycles, increase stress levels, and potentially lead to sleep deprivation. These problems can cause fatigue and reduced daily productivity.

2. How Heavy Weighted Blankets Should We Use?

Weighted blankets aren’t suitable for everyone. Infants, children, or frail adults shouldn’t use too heavy blankets because they can’t remove blankets on their own. According to Ucla Health research, your weighted blanket should be approximately 10% of your body for the most qualitative sleep.

3. Where Can We Buy a High-Qualitative Blanket?

Yes That Blanket is an ideal choice for various blankets with high quality. We provide a wide range of blankets with different styles, colors and materials. They can meet our needs to keep warmth, sleep better or decorate. Moreover, they are all attractive prices for us!

Final Words from Yes That Blanket

The blog has already provided the answers for “Why do we sleep with blankets?”. Blankets can do more than we think. They not only keep us warm in cold weather but also improve sleep quality, reduce stress and even promote our overall health. With the right blanket, you can improve your sleep quality and truly fresh wake up feeling.