Really sleep well with weighted blankets? ZDFzeit and Stiftung Warentest conduct the test in the monastery

Sleeping really well is the focus of the current documentary by ZDFzeit and Stiftung Warentest. They put various sleep products to the test in the laboratories of Stiftung Warentest.

Besides mattresses, over-the-counter sleep aids, and bed blankets, the trend of weighted blankets is especially fascinating. These are now usable not only for therapy purposes but for anyone struggling with sleep problems. ZDFzeit dares the experiment in the monastery and lets ten monks test the weighted blankets in comparison with normal bed blankets.

After the monks see the blankets weighing up to 12kg for the first time, skepticism arises. How can you sleep with such a blanket? Won't the heaviness crush me? Can you even put covers on the blankets?

They test a weighted blanket and a light bed blanket alternately for 14 days each. The monks' opinions after the test period are mixed – 3 out of 7 monks could sleep well and would keep the therapy blanket. Above all, putting on and handling the blanket is perceived as difficult – on the other hand, they also recognize the advantages of the weighted blanket. The weight of the blanket fits the body very differently than a light bed blanket. Also, some monks could fall asleep faster; the monk with sleep problems and depression has even been looking forward to the night and better sleep since then.

The experiment showed that a therapy blanket cannot meet all expectations, for example, when there are physical limitations. Nevertheless, people with insomnia and other burdens can benefit from a weighted blanket and improve their quality of life.