It’s a hot night, the fan is blowing, yet you still want to pull your blanket over you.
You might not like it or understand it, but as soon as that blanket wraps around you, your body relaxes and sleep feels close.
So why do we still hold on to our blankets even when it becomes hot? There is a lot of scientific evidence behind this comfortable behaviour, and once you know what it is, it all makes sense.
1. Blankets help keep your body temperature stable.
Because humans are warm-blooded, our bodies automatically control their own temperature. But that regulation doesn’t work as well when we’re asleep.
When the body is in deeper stages of sleep, it has a harder time keeping its optimal temperature, especially when the temperature around it changes.
That’s when blankets come in handy. They assist keep your body temperature stable throughout night by functioning as an insulating layer.
2. They play a huge role in how we sleep.
Many people prefer to maintain consistent habits. We’ve always associated bedtime with snuggling up under a blanket. Over the years, this exercise has become a big part of our lives.
Using a blanket provides a powerful signal to our brains that it’s time to sleep, even if it’s not about being warm or worried.
3. Blankets can help you relax and reduce your stress.
Blankets not only keep you warm, but they also make you feel safe. Wrapping yourself in a blanket helps your body manufacture more serotonin, a neurotransmitter that makes you feel good and helps you relax and feel emotionally secure.
People who have difficulties sleeping, are worried, or are sensitive to sensory input appreciate weighted blankets and other things that help them relax since they can help them feel less tense and anxious.
4. They Create a Cozy Microclimate:
Blankets create a “microclimate” around your body that keeps you safe from unexpected changes in air flow or temperature.
The weather is always the same, which helps keep you from experiencing chilly or drafts. These might wake you awake even when the room is warm.
In short, your blanket keeps the outside world out, which helps you relax and sleep better without being disturbed.
5. Blankets make you feel safe.
A lot of us have used blankets to keep our worries at bay since we were kids, including the fear of the dark or the “monsters under the bed.”
When we were kids, we felt safe when we put the blanket over our heads. We felt like nothing could hurt us.
As an adult, you will always feel protected and secure. Even if we don’t consciously feel scared, our nervous system reacts to the usual feeling of safety when we go under the covers.
The Bottom Line
Can you help me understand why we wear blankets even when it’s hot outside? It’s not just about being warm. It’s about getting used to it, feeling safe mentally, and keeping your body in check.
Covering yourself with anything, even a small sheet or a big blanket, sends a strong message that says, “You’re safe now.” It’s time to go to sleep now.
You can cover yourself in your blanket no matter what the weather is like. Your body and mind both know what to do.