Weighted-Living-Logo for website

Can You Use a Weighted Blanket If You Snore During the Night?

Can You Use a Weighted Blanket If You Snore During the Night

Snoring is the act of breathing noisily while sleeping. It’s usually labeled as a nuisance for the people who have to bear the noise; which is absolutely true. There’s nothing worse than sharing a room with someone who snores.

No matter how much you love your partner you definitely can’t handle 2 or 3 sleepless nights in a row. So, are you looking for a solution that’s easily accessible and can help reduce their snores during the night? Opting for a weighted blanket can prove to be a great idea for both you and your partner.

Some long-term snorers swear by the fact that sleeping under a weighted blanket has significantly reduced the chances of them snoring. But, wouldn’t you want to be 100% sure before making a purchase? Before we discuss whether it’s safe to use a weighted blanket if you snore during the night, we’ll have to analyze why you can’t stop snoring;

Can You Use a Weighted Blanket If You Snore During the Night?

Why Do People Snore During the Night?

Excessive Alcohol Consumption

Yes, you heard it right liquor does have a lot to do with the way you sleep during the night. Drinking around bedtime can actually relax your throat muscles which directly results in you snoring the night away. When the throat muscles get too relaxed due to liquor, it reduces our natural ability to stop airway obstruction. Thus, the reason why you snore so loudly could be your drinking habits.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea is a sleep disorder that’s categorized by loud snoring and lack of breath after brief intervals mid-sleep. Anyone who has this particular disorder is more likely to snore heavily through the night while taking short breaks after a few minutes. Obstructive sleep apnea or OSA can prove to be fatal due to multiple reasons.

Sometimes people end up choking in their sleep due to OSA which can prove to be fatal in plenty of cases. In addition to this OSA prompt a lack of oxygen in the bloodstream due to lack of breathing. It’s a misconception that all snorers have OSA, yet it’s better to be safe and sorry. So, get in touch with a sleep technician if you spot any of the following signs;

  • Shortness of breath jolting you up from deep sleep
  • Headaches in the morning
  • Chest pains
  • Facing difficulty while breathing
  • Partner or roommate frequently complaining about you snoring loudly during the night

Oral & Nasal Anatomy

The natural structure of your mouth and nasal cavity can make you susceptible to snoring. For instance; some people struggle with chronic nasal congestions their entire life. It could be due to dust allergy or flu season. 

Additionally, some people naturally have a deviated septum resulting from a crooked divide between nostrils. Someone with both of these possibilities has a higher chance of snoring way lot than normal. 

Moreover, the structure of your mouth can also increase your chances of snoring. When the airflow in your mouth gets obstructed the chances of having more vibration naturally increases. This can be noticed among overweight individuals due to the added layer of tissues in their mouths. Furthermore, someone who has a thicker softer palate could also have a narrow and obstructed air passageway, resulting in snoring.

Sleep Deprivation

This is perhaps the leading cause of snoring. Someone who’s been entertaining a low quality of sleep for a while can be a regular snorer. Your lack of sleep can result from an unpleasant sleeping environment; excessive noise created by a newborn baby. 

Additionally, people also struggle with insomnia and sleep apnea which keeps them up at night. Thus, someone who’s been up for so long and struggling with a proper sleeping schedule might end up snoring way much as compared to someone with a good sleeping schedule.

Can You Use a Weighted Blanket If You Snore?

sleeping better with weighted blanket on

As stated earlier, the reason why you or someone else snores can vary. Similarly, the answer to this particular query also varies. In some situations, sleeping under a weighted blanket can actually help you get rid of snoring. Opting this over a regular blanket can push you into a deep R.E.M sleep like no other, that’s why weighted blankets are becoming more popular for individuals who suffer insomnia or trouble sleeping at night. 

This all depends on the reason why you snore. For instance, if this habit stems from insomnia or your lack of proper sleep, then sleeping under a weighted blanket would be an ideal thing to do. 

If you struggle with insomnia, you’ll only be creating an ideal sleeping environment by using a weighted blanket. It will remarkably reduce cortisol levels and boost serotonin. When you would feel more comfortable and less stressed, you’ll doze off more swiftly every night. Consequently, the chances of you staying awake for days and ending up snoring due to tiredness will swiftly reduce.

On the contrary, if obstructive sleep apnea is the reason why you snore every night then you shouldn’t be sleeping under a weighted blanket. You’ll be already facing difficulty breathing while sleeping, adding a heavy blanket on top of you will make things worse for you. The chance of you suffocating due to added pressure and lack of oxygen amp up in this case. 

weighted blanket and how it works

No matter how gentle the pressure could be, it is still added pressure on your diaphragm and ribcage. So, an individual who’s snoring due to sleep apnea should consult a health care professional before using weighted blankets.

Similarly, if you have an uncorrected deviated septum, it’s better to be safe than sorry. A deviated septum can also lead to snoring. Having a deviated septum can sometimes end up making it difficult for you to breathe from one nostril. This is why opting for a casual blanket might be a better option so that you won’t face difficulty while breathing during the night.

Snoring with a Weighted Blanket: Final Words

Don’t neglect the early signs of snoring because ignorance isn’t always blissful. Snoring can be an early indicator of a serious disorder like OSA. Talk to your doctor regarding your sleep schedule and how your breathing pattern changes during the night and whether or not if wearing a weighted blanket is right for now.

Mike Horton (head of Weighted Living)

by Mike Horton

Mike is one of the lead editors at Weighted Living and the author of this article. He's become fascinated with weighted products (a bit too much we think) and loves to see all the different ways they can improve our loves. He's written quite a few weighted product guides as well.

Check Out Related Weighted Products