Blankets are a commonly known household item that provides warmth and comfort all year round. However, there are two types of blankets that aim to provide specialized relief to the user: heated and weighted blankets.

The heated blanket is rigged with heat-wires that often have different levels of heat. The user can turn it up or down to whatever their temperature needs are. These are especially useful during the wintertime with the frigid temperatures outside, they can provide immense warmth to people who may be cold. Along with that, heated blankets are also helpful for relieving body aches and pains, according to landofsleep.com.

“My heated blanket is like my comfort blanket,” senior Marena Harris said. “I would recommend it because it’s very comfortable and good for when it’s cold.”

The weighted blanket is a bit different from the heated one because its goal is not to warm the user, although it tends to happen. The weighted blanket was made to comfort. It consists of pockets within the blanket filled with a weighted material, commonly sand. It can be used for different purposes but more popularly provides relief to those with mental health struggles such as anxiety and panic attacks, according to pennmedicine.org.

With that being said, a weighted blanket needs to be a specific weight so as to not inflict damage on the body. Those interested in buying a weighted blanket should buy one that weighs no more than 5% to 12% of your body weight, according to sleepfoundation.org.

“My weighted blanket is like my best friend,” junior Hayden Smith said. “It is just so comfortable, and I use it every day.”

Some companies have even gone as far as creating both a heated and weighted blanket in one, meaning you get all of the benefits in one. Anyone interested in buying heated or weighted blankets can find them at stores like Walmart, Amazon and more.