Sleep Under a Weighted Blanket, and More

Most people want to treat their insomnia without drugs—for good reason, since sleeping pills can lead to dependency and cause dizziness and falls. A Swedish trial recently tested another option: weighted blankets. Available from retailers that sell bedding, these blankets supplement the usual filling materials with pellets, chains, or beads.

The added weight creates a grounding effect that brings the body comfort and calm. Compared with study subjects who went to bed with a light cover, those given a blanket that weighed about 15 pounds saw more improvement in both sleep and mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.