Why Do We Sleep Under Blankets, Even on the Hottest Nights? (2017)
6 hours ago
- #sleep-science
- #thermoregulation
- #cultural-history
- Blankets have historically been a luxury, only accessible to the wealthy, with bedding often being the most expensive item in a household.
- Even in hot climates, most cultures use some form of bed covering, such as plant matter or woven fabric, for sleeping.
- Weighted blankets are shown to have calming effects, reducing anxiety and aiding in conditions like autism by increasing serotonin production.
- Physiologically, humans need blankets because body temperature drops before sleep, and during REM sleep, thermoregulation is impaired, making external warmth necessary.
- Behavioral conditioning also plays a role, as we associate blankets with sleep from childhood, creating a Pavlovian response to feeling covered.