Why Do We Sleep Under Blankets, Even on the Hottest Nights? (2017)

Re:Why Do We Sleep Under Blankets, Even on the Hottest Night... by overcast on Tuesday February 27, 2018 @09:03AM (#16473378)

It's a weight thing for me, and not a warmth thing. I crave the feeling of something on me when I'm sleeping. Probably a sense of security. I've been on the eternal hunt for something heavy weight, and low heat. Currently using 3 x varying weights of knit cotton blankets, and does the job.

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Re:Why Do We Sleep Under Blankets, Even on the Hottest Night... by utexaspunk on Tuesday February 27, 2018 @09:50AM (#16473760)

Definitely. You know when you get an x-ray at the dentist and they put that lead blanket over you? I love that thing. I wonder if they make those in a king size...

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Re:Why Do We Sleep Under Blankets, Even on the Hottest Night... by rthomas6 on Tuesday February 27, 2018 @01:59PM (#16476680)

That's a real thing, and yes, they do. They're called weighted blankets and my wife has one. They're clinically shown to help with anxiety.

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Re:Why Do We Sleep Under Blankets, Even on the Hottest Night... by Symbiote on Tuesday February 27, 2018 @12:35PM (#16475728)

Perhaps a "sand vest" or "hug vest"?

I came across them with this article last month: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/20/use-of-sand-ve...

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Re:Why Do We Sleep Under Blankets, Even on the Hottest Night... by joelrunyon on Tuesday February 27, 2018 @10:22AM (#16474092)

Look up gravity blankets.

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Re:Why Do We Sleep Under Blankets, Even on the Hottest Night... by arbie on Tuesday February 27, 2018 @10:46AM (#16474402)

Also called "weighted blankets".

The rule of thumb for optimum blanket weight is 10% of body weight + 1lb.

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Re:Why Do We Sleep Under Blankets, Even on the Hottest Night... by overcast on Tuesday February 27, 2018 @09:54AM (#16473789)

Would probably weigh more than your entire bed :)

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Re:Why Do We Sleep Under Blankets, Even on the Hottest Night... by utexaspunk on Tuesday February 27, 2018 @09:57AM (#16473817)

Probably! On the plus side you'll be shielded from radiation while you sleep!

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Re:Why Do We Sleep Under Blankets, Even on the Hottest Night... by klipt on Tuesday February 27, 2018 @12:43PM (#16475846)

But you might be exposed to lead...

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Re:Why Do We Sleep Under Blankets, Even on the Hottest Night... by bmelton on Tuesday February 27, 2018 @11:41AM (#16475110)

Conversely, I prefer the lightest-weight covering possible, but I inexplicably still need something to cover me. In the summer time, I like a lightweight sheet, and will stick with that deep into the fall.

Even if temperatures do drop overnight, I like that the sheet somewhat contains my own body heat and is relatively warm inside the sheet.

Of course, in the winter time I'll upgrade to a blanket, but I try to stick to the lightest possible one.

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Re:Why Do We Sleep Under Blankets, Even on the Hottest Night... by rootw0rm on Tuesday February 27, 2018 @06:07PM (#16478957)

Same here. I've lived places where it might still be 80F at midnight, but I still need a sheet.

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Re:Why Do We Sleep Under Blankets, Even on the Hottest Night... by zamber on Tuesday February 27, 2018 @11:36AM (#16475053)

I recall hearing about weighted blankets used as a way to help kids with sleeping issues.

Quote from the article:

As one more example of the goodness of blankets, there has also been a decent amount of research about the calming effect of weighted blankets, which can weigh up to 30 pounds. Studies indicate that they can curb anxiety and even be used in the treatment of autism.

This triggered my memory. I heard it helped kids with Aspargers and ADHD too.

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Re:Why Do We Sleep Under Blankets, Even on the Hottest Night... by lallysingh on Tuesday February 27, 2018 @01:02PM (#16476084)

Reminds me of Thundershirts - basically vests you put on small dogs or cats - to give them a bit of compression to help them feel better.

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Re:Why Do We Sleep Under Blankets, Even on the Hottest Night... by efa on Tuesday February 27, 2018 @04:54PM (#16478347)

Oh man that's my dream. Something heavy that's not hot. I get hot very easily but I love the feeling of weight. I'm not understanding what you are using. You get the weight and little heat?

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Re:Why Do We Sleep Under Blankets, Even on the Hottest Night... by k3d on Tuesday February 27, 2018 @09:45AM (#16473703)

Have you tried out weighted blankets?

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Re:Why Do We Sleep Under Blankets, Even on the Hottest Night... by overcast on Tuesday February 27, 2018 @09:49AM (#16473748)

I've looked at them, they are mostly made of man made materials, I don't want to sleep with. The heat is also an issue, none I've seen address this. Cotton knit seems to be the best option right now.

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Re:Why Do We Sleep Under Blankets, Even on the Hottest Night... by IronWolve on Tuesday February 27, 2018 @02:53PM (#16477206)

Just use 2 blankets, 1 light 1 heavy, if you get cold, pull the heavy blanket over. No idea why people are down to a sheet and 1 blanket as a standard now.

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Re:Why Do We Sleep Under Blankets, Even on the Hottest Night... by overcast on Wednesday February 28, 2018 @09:04AM (#16482999)

Read my parent comment, I have three varying sizes of knitted cotton blankets, that I layer.

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Re:Why Do We Sleep Under Blankets, Even on the Hottest Night... by cpursley on Tuesday February 27, 2018 @09:10AM (#16473445)

Ditto. For me, it's weight.

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