The Mela (Aeyla) Weighted Blanket: FAQs and Review

Contents

• What is a weighted blanket?
• What does a weighted blanket do?
• Does a weighted blanket help with anxiety?
• Do weighted blankets work?
• Do weighted blankets help with sleep?
• How to use a weighted blanket
• How heavy should my weighted blanket be?
• Do weighted blankets come in different sizes?
• How to wash a weighted blanket
• Are weighted blankets hot?
• How does it compare to other weighted blankets?

Sleep is something that we all need and yet sometimes it evades us. Is there anything worse than spending the night tossing and turning, unable to finally get some well-needed rest? We try avoiding caffeine before we go to bed, switching off electronic devices for the evening, reading for a while and drinking all the herbal teas under the sun. When these things don’t work, we move onto the next fad.

But what if I told you that weighted blankets weren’t a fad? I’ve been trying my Mela* blanket (discontinued) for a few weeks now, and wanted to answer some of the frequently asked questions that people have, including what the blanket does, whether it works, as well as the size and weight you need.

 

What is a weighted blanket?

A weighted blanket is a sort of throw that contains weighted materials, like glass or plastic pellets, to make it heavier than a standard blanket. Just as your duvet has a cover around it, the Mela weighted blanket contains an inner layer (the part that has the glass pellets within it) as well as a removable outer layer that’s super soft and makes the throw look luxurious.

Weighted blankets come in a range of sizes and weights, depending on the size of your bed and your body weight.

What does a weighted blanket do?

Now that you know what one is, what actually is the point of a weighted blanket and why do you need one? There’s evidence that the extra weight can make you feel calmer, less anxious and help you to sleep better. The scientific term for this is Deep Touch Pressure (DTP). DTP has been proven to release dopamine and serotonin, increasing their production by 30%, as well as reducing the stress hormone cortisol by 30% too. A hug works in much the same way and is also an example of DTP. You may have also heard of weight or pressure being used to keep dogs calm when there is fireworks going off. Wrapping them in a blanket or applying a weighted jacket has been proven to reduce their fear.

When weight is applied equally over your whole body, happy hormones are released, helping you to get a good night’s sleep. Not only that, but it’s been shown to help people with autism, restless legs, depression, ADHD and Tourette’s.

Does a weighted blanket help with anxiety?

While weighted blankets can help all kinds of conditions, their primary use is to reduce anxiety. Research has shown that DTP can reduce autonomic arousal. Don’t worry, I didn’t have a clue what this was either, but it’s this arousal that is responsible for those anxiety symptoms that so many of us experience, such as faster breathing, increased heart rate, physical pains and excess sweating. In this study, researchers found that the use of a 4.5kg weighted blanket reduced anxiety in 63% of those who took part. Nearly 8 out of 10 people said that they found the blanket had a calming effect too.

Even if you were part of the percentage that found the blanket didn’t help with anxiety, it’s still super soft and comfortable, which could help you to relax in the evening.

Do weighted blankets work?

I’ve partially proven that a weighted blanket can help to reduce anxiety, but do they actually help us to get a better night’s sleep and even help conditions such as ADHD, autism and Tourette’s?

While there are no big studies that demonstrate or prove the effects of a weighted blanket, there have been some smaller studies. One study looked into the use of weighted vests on children with ADHD. It found that the weighted vest, that works in the same way as a blanket, reduced ADHD-like behaviour, such as fidgeting, and increased their attention span too.

Even without lots of evidence, there’s no harm in trying a weighted blanket for yourself. If it makes you feel better, much like a cup of tea, breathing exercises or essential oils, then why not continue to use it?

Do weighted blankets help with sleep?

Trouble getting to sleep or waking up in the middle of the night can be frustrating. Also known as insomnia, it’s a problem that plenty of people face, particularly in the modern world when we’re much more stressed with our jobs and there are more blue-light devices than ever. So can a weighted blanket actually help you to sleep better?

One of the best studies on this can be found in the Journal of Sleep Medicine and Disorders. Completed in 2015, it’s another small study that has some interesting results. Just over 30 participants had their sleep monitored for seven days with their usual bedding. Then, the same participants used a weighted blanket for two weeks, before returning to their usual bedding. The study looked at metrics such as time spent in bed, movement and more to determine the quality of sleep.

The results showed that the participants slept for a longer period of time and experienced better sleep quality with the weighted blanket. You can read the full study here.

How to use a weighted blanket

I’m hoping that I’ve provided suitable evidence of why these blankets work and why you should have one. If you do decide to take the plunge, how should these blankets be used?

The blanket can either replace your duvet or be used on top of it. When you climb into bed for some zzzs, just place the blanket over you, ensuring that it covers your body from the chest down and the weight is spread evenly. It should cover your chest and legs, but your feet can be out. It’s thought to work best while sleeping on your back, but as many of us sleep on our sides or even our front, this is fine too.

How heavy should my weighted blanket be?

The key to getting the most out of your weighted blanket is to buy the right weight for you. The general rule is to purchase a blanket that is approximately 10% of your body weight. Mela’s blanket comes in the following sizes:

• 5.5kg (50 to 65kg body weight)
• 7.5kg (65 to 85kg body weight)
• 9.5kg (85 to 100kg body weight)

You should bear in mind that the blanket is best for one person instead of shared between a couple. If both you and your partner want a weighted blanket, you may be better off buying two separate blankets instead of one.

Do weighted blankets come in different sizes?

These blankets usually come in single, double and king sizes.

Are weighted blankets hot?

Lots of people get too hot in the night, particularly in summer. With a weighted blanket, you don’t have to worry about temperature. Although the blanket looks super soft and snuggly on the top, underneath is 100% cotton. This is super breathable and allows air to flow, keeping you cool in the night.

Still undecided? The Mela Chill blanket is made specifically for hot sleepers and works to cool you down.

How to wash a weighted blanket

A common misconception is that weighted blankets cannot be washed, but that would be kinda gross. The Mela blanket has a removeable outer layer that can be put in the wash, so you can clean it frequently to ensure that it’s keep like new.

But, the key to keeping these blankets super soft is to wash them at a cool temperature. The care instructions say to use a maximum 30-degree wash. Do not put the blanket in the tumble dryer or iron it. To dry it, the best way is to lay down some towels and place the blanket on top, being sure to reshape it while it’s still damp. The towels will soak up excess water and your blanket will dry good as new. You can hang the blanket if you wish, but this could decrease its lifespan.

How does it compare to other weighted blankets?

The Mela blanket isn’t the only one on the market, and competitors like Simba Orbit, Koala and Baloo also have their own weighted blankets available to purchase. But it seems that these don’t have quite the same features as the Mela blanket.

The Simba Orbit is significantly more expensive. Despite it still being a premium blanket, like the Mela, it could set you back around £150, nearly a third more expensive than Mela. But it works in much the same way, so ask yourself whether you do need to pay the extra for a very similar product.

While Koala and Baloo are in a similar price range to Mela, it may be that the quality just isn’t there. Jack Rear has tested many weighted blankets, and these two came in spots 5 and 6 out of 7. He found the Koala to be very hot at night due its being more of a duvet than a blanket, and the Baloo impractical because it didn’t come with a washable cover. Unsurprisingly, Rear voted Mela/Aeyla his top pick out of all the available blankets currently on the market.

It’s safe to say that I am a complete weighted-blanket convert. I love my Mela blanket and truthfully wouldn’t spend another night without it. I’ve been fairly open about my struggles with anxiety, suffering with daily panic attacks, being on anti-anxiety medication, but the weighted blanket really does help me to get a good night’s sleep. This is so important.

If you’re STILL unsure about the Mela/Aeyla weighted blanket, their ‘try before you buy’ policy means you can try it out for 100 nights and return it free if you don’t think it’s right for you.