Tossing and turning at night? A weighted blanket might improve your sleep

They’re often filled with plastic beads.

“The pockets keep the weights from shifting around while you’re sleeping,” says Bernie Deitrick, with Consumer Reports.

The theory is that the pressure you feel from that weight has a calming effect. While there’s not a lot of evidence-based research, plenty of people like them.

"I do recommend weighted blankets for some of my patients that struggle with sleep, especially if they feel very restless, and the feedback has been positive,” said Dr. Fariha Abbassi-Feinberg, a sleep medicine specialist.

Keep in mind that Consumer Reports found blankets sold with the same weight could vary in size, which is important since that changes the pressure you feel.

Consumer Reports compared two 15-pound blankets. The 70-by-48 inch Gravity blanket weighs about 10 ounces per square foot, while the larger YnM Weighted Blanket weighs about 7 ounces per square foot.

Overall, manufacturers said to pick one that’s around 10% of your body weight. So, if you weigh 150 pounds, get a 15 pound blanket.

Don't worry: The extra weight shouldn't cause extra heat.

“Our tests found that models with duvet covers were slightly warmer, but all the blankets add about the same amount of warmth that you’d get from a fluffy down comforter,” said Deitrick.

Most of the weighted blankets are machine washable, in a machine that can handle a heavy load, although Consumer Reports found that front-loading washing machines were more likely to become unbalanced during the spin cycle.

If you want to experiment before you invest in a weighted blanket, pile on three to four regular blankets to approximate a weighted one to feel if it’s comfortable.