Nota bene: If you buy through the links in this article, we may earn a small share of the profits.
This is Stuff We Swear By, a new series in which our editors expound on an item they use (and love) on a daily (or near-daily) basis.
Item: Bearaby Cotton Napper
Description: A weighted blanket that doesn’t feel heavy and lets you breathe. That, and you can actually wash it, unlike a lot of other weighted blankets.
How I use it: Well, I sleep under it, obviously. But the important thing to note is that I’ve never slept as well as I have since getting it. Over the past few months, from the middle of summer until now, in December, I’ve been able to use my Bearaby comfortably in any kind of weather.
Why I swear by it: I’ve never been a great sleeper. I’ve dealt with bouts of insomnia from time to time, but mostly I just think the antsy feelings I have in the daytime don’t leave my body even when I’m sleeping. I’ve deduced that it’s important to calm myself down sufficiently before bed. I’ve taken to a nightly meditation session and a cup of tea with some chill music, like a real fancy man. This has worked, but once I actually get into bed, well, I need to be super comfortable. I’ve been really pro-getting my sleep right since, shocker, sleeping is super important.
I first got into weighted blankets about two years ago, and while I found myself sleeping better underneath one, I ran into problems. First, I tend to run hot, and the blankets don’t really hold up in the summer or on the nights when my wife needs the heat on blast because it’s super cold out. Second, it’s really difficult to wash some weighted blankets. They’re basically bags o’ glass, so you can’t exactly throw one in the washing machine. The Bearaby takes care of those problems because it’s knitted to be breathable, and made of washable organic cotton. So I don’t get too hot, and if I’m not warm enough then I can layer.
Even with everything going on in the world, I’ve had some of the best sleep of my life over the last few months. Part of it has to do with the fact that we bought a new bed and finally put curtains up to block out the light. But I can’t imagine a solid, comfortable night of shut-eye without my Bearaby at this point.
More Like This
We've put in the work researching, reviewing and rounding up all the shirts, jackets, shoes and accessories you'll need this season, whether it's for yourself or for gifting purposes. Sign up here for weekly style inspo direct to your inbox.
