I tried the pretty weighted blanket that's all over Instagram, and it actually did help me sleep better

Like any other weighted blanket, Bearaby's Napper is designed to help users sleep better. Research shows weighted blankets alleviate anxiety by reducing the brain's production of cortisol, the stress hormone, according to the brand's website.

Part of the Napper's appeal is its look: the open weave and bright colors in which its available make it cuter than the average weighted blanket. It's also made from plant-based tree fabric, adding a sustainable aspect.

I decided to try the Napper to see if it was worth the hype, both because I thought it was pretty and because I'm often anxious when I fall asleep.

The website specifies that the blanket should be roughly 10% of your body weight, so I picked a 15-pound blanket since it was the closest in size for me. The 15-pound blanket costs $249.

I chose the color moonstone grey, but the blanket also comes in asteroid grey, midnight blue, evening rose, and milky way. 

The cardboard box was pretty standard, though I liked that it had the cute catchphrase on it.

I had the blanket delivered to my office, which I ended up regretting because it was difficult to transport home.

The bag prevented the Napper from getting dirty while in the box, which was important to me since it was going to live on my bed.

The string that held the bundle together was made of the same fabric as the blanket itself.

Bearaby seemed to have taken care to make sure the blanket and its delivery was as environmentally-friendly as possible.

The weave gave the blanket a chic, modern look. I was also glad I went with the moonstone grey color, as it served as a nice neutral.

I was surprised by how soft the blanket was, as I expected the weight to make it feel rougher.

But it reminded me of a soft, thick T-shirt. I wanted to wrap myself in it immediately.

I immediately liked the weight of the blanket. I was worried the heaviness would be overbearing, but instead, it felt comforting.

My initial reaction was that the 15-pound blanket was definitely the right choice for me, as the Napper offered a pleasant pressure without suffocating me. 

I was also happy with its temperature, as the open weave ensured I didn't get too hot. 

The Napper's material clings to your body, keeping you insulated. My roommate said it made me look like I had a mermaid's tail.

My toe got caught in the weave by accident, and it felt strange to have it exposed to the air while the rest of me was covered.

My ability to push my toe through the blanket also made me concerned it would loosen with time, decreasing its effectiveness.

I typically wrestle with an onslaught of anxious thoughts as I fall asleep, with my brain holding what I think of as "internal committee meetings" regarding everything I have to do the next day.

I didn't have high hopes that the blanket would make that stop, but I was surprised to find that the weight on top of me distracted my brain from the anxiety. My racing thoughts slowed down, and I felt physically calmer than I usually do when I'm lying in bed. 

Because my body wasn't so focused on anxiety, I found sadness, an emotion that I typically suppress, making its way to the surface. The blanket's distraction from my defensive anxiety forced me to confront the sorrow I often choose to ignore, and I had my first good cry in months. 

I felt relieved as I fell asleep and slept soundly through the night.

I felt refreshed from the good night's rest I got thanks to the Napper, so I wanted to see what it felt like to use the blanket when I wasn't sleeping.

Lugging it from my room to the living room was a bit tiring, as 15 pounds is heavier than you would think.

But once I was settled in on the couch, the Napper felt good. The weight made me feel focused on the moment I was in.

I'm typically not someone who cries during movies, but I got teary-eyed multiple times as I watched Greta Gerwig's "Lady Bird," a film I'd seen before.

Because the blanket centered me firmly in the present, my emotions felt more intense and accessible. 

It was almost as if the physical distraction gave my body permission to let go.

I was sharing the bed with my partner that night, and I was interested to see how the experience of the Napper differed with a second person in the mix. 

The blanket wasn't big enough for the both of us, so I put it on top of my side of the bed.

Unfortunately, the combination of his body heat and the weight of the blanket made me feel too warm. I ended up kicking the blanket down toward my feet while I slept.

The heaviness of the Napper combined with me and my partner had pulled the sheet askew, so I woke up on top of my bare mattress.

It took me longer to make my bed in the morning as a result.

I took my comforter and top sheet off of my bed to see what it was like to experience just the Napper. I wasn't worried about having the blanket right on top of me, as it's machine-washable.

I enjoyed the weight again, but I was surprised to find myself getting a bit chilly in the middle of the night. I ended up pulling my comforter on top of the Napper.

But I thought the weighted blanket alone would be a good temperature for sharing the bed with my partner.

I could feel the weave growing looser in the places where I had pulled the blanket closer to me, and I was worried that would only get worse as I continued to use it.

I run cold, so the extra blanket on top of my typical sheet and comforter was perfect. 

I also liked how it felt to place my arm on top of the blanket while I fell asleep.

It still felt soft in my hand, and the weave seemed to be intact. It didn't totally assuage my concerns, but I was glad it hadn't completely loosened.

Although I didn't cry that night, I did feel calmer than I usually do, and I fell asleep quickly. 

My body knew what to expect from the Napper at that point, and it did make me feel calmer as I fell asleep.

It still took me a while to reach slumber on night five, but I didn't feel the sense of panic that I often do.

I loved the weight of the blanket in this experience, as I often carry stress in my shoulders.

Putting the Napper directly on my stress spot was extremely comforting. It felt like a combination of a massage and an extended hug.

I slept soundly again, though I did notice the weighted blanket made it slightly more difficult for me to get out of bed in the morning.

The weight and the comfort it provided made me less eager to get up and get my day going.

The blanket worked wonderfully when I was sleeping alone in my room, as the open weave prevented me from getting too warm, while the weight kept me calm.

I'd also been satisfied with the weight all week because 15 pounds felt a lot heavier in blanket form.

The blanket definitely isn't ideal if you're sharing a bed with a partner, and I'm still skeptical about what might happen to the fabric with continual use.

However, the weighted blanket definitely calmed my anxiety, and the soft, open weave made sure I didn't get too hot. Plus, the look is definitely cuter than alternatives on the market, and it's more eco-friendly than competing projects.

Most of all, I was grateful the experience showed me a way to feel more in touch with my emotions, freeing me of some of their burden.

You can learn more about the Napper here.

• Read more:
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• This $249 weighted blanket is made from eucalyptus trees — it's breathable, biodegradable, and helps me sleep better
• My wife and I tried this 20-pound weighted blanket — it put me to sleep in minutes and helped ease her anxiety