​​Adults With Stuffed Animals

Teddy bears and bunnies were previously assumed to be children’s bedtime companions, but it turns out that many adults now sleep with stuffed animals. On social media and in online op-eds, people have written about their own experiences sleeping with stuffies. One Reddit member says, “I’ve attempted to sleep without them, but no matter how exhausted I am, sleep just doesn’t happen unless I’m snuggling my teddy bears.” I don’t understand why I do it, but I never stopped sleeping with a stuffed animal as a child.

Adults with stuffed animals’ psychology is a more bottomless pit than you’d thought. The emotional attachment to stuffed animals and adults was marketed to be harmful through the years, and in this article, we will shed light on some important facts that will change your whole perspective on the matter. 

To better understand why so many adults sleep with stuffed animals and if it is something to be concerned about or wholeheartedly embrace, we spoke with sleep and psychology specialists.

Is it Normal For Adults To Have Stuffed Animals?

Experts say it is normal for adults to have stuffed animals to relieve stress or just as stuffed friends to hang out with!

 Why Do Some Adults Still Play With Toys?

According to Jennifer Martin, a sleep researcher and professor at the Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, it’s crucial to comprehend why kids sleep with stuffed animals and why some adults love doing so. According to her, “Children frequently sleep with a specific blanket or stuffed animal because it’s one of the environmental cues to make their brain ready for sleep.” “The same motives are undoubtedly at play when an adult acts in that manner. Their brain receives a cue that it is time for sleep from the soft, fuzzy teddy they are snuggling with while they sleep. This relationship may also be influenced by popular cultural imagery, such as images of people sleeping with teddy bears in movies and television shows.

Martin claims that individuals feel calm when they are around stuffed animals because they are warm and fluffy. Nonetheless, she argues that the comfort item need not be a stuffed animal. Some individuals could have a favourite pillow or blanket that serves the same function.

Benefits Of Stuffed Animals For Adults

From an evolutionary perspective, sleep is a vulnerable time because you’re lying down, semi-conscious, and in the dark. We rely on our relationships with others to keep us safe since we are social beings. According to Wendy Troxel, a senior behavioural and social scientist at the nonprofit RAND Corporation and author of Sharing the Covers: Every Couple’s Guide to Better Sleep, stuffed animals can make people feel less lonely at night. According to her, “a charming, cuddly teddy bear may offer that sense of warmth and comfort.” When sleeping away from their parents, kids frequently cuddle with stuffed animals or blankets. Similarly, single individuals, separated from their partners or without pets, might utilize plush animals to sate their nighttime social connection needs.

According to Amy Wachholtz, director of clinical health psychology at the University of Colorado Denver, people in the US regularly anthropomorphize anything outside plush animals. We frequently give our cars or phones names and often chat with Siri and Alexa. These actions, coupled with sleeping with stuffed animals, promote a sense of community, which can be consoling when one feels alone or lonely.

 

Is it Weird For Adult Men To Sleep With Stuffed Animals?

Well, to answer the question, Is it normal for a 21-year-old to have stuffed animals? We have the following…Although academics haven’t thoroughly investigated how stuffed animals affect sleep quality, our experts concur that it’s neither strange nor unwise for adults to sleep with them, adds Wachholtz. She adds that she has observed adult patients bringing plush animals for hospital overnight stays. “If you feel better sleeping with a plushie, that’s because it is helping you,” she says. Thanks to the toys, the patients are more at ease while away from home.

One potential problem, according to Martin, is for adults with autism and stuffed animals, it might be tougher to fall asleep without. And for a regular person, it might be tougher to fall asleep if you’re used to sleeping with a stuffed animal and you’re removed from it while on vacation. According to her, people typically sleep better when their bedtime ritual is regular.

Sleeping with a plush animal might not help if you have sleep problems. According to Martin, simple solutions like a teddy bear might not be effective for people with persistent insomnia. Therefore they should consult a doctor who can recommend a sleep therapist.

But there’s no need to stop if you already sleep with one. She declares that I’m a huge believer in telling folks to do what makes them feel comfortable at night. “I wouldn’t worry if somebody is sleeping with a stuffed animal right now, and they enjoy it and get good sleep.”

 

Seven Reasons Why Adults Should Also Own Stuffed Animals

People frequently believe that stuffed animals are only for kids, yet many adults own them if you can get them to confess it. According to a 2018 poll, 84% of men and 77% of women admit to keeping at least one favourite stuffed animal friend. The classic teddy bear is the most well-liked stuffed animal among adults. Nevertheless, what advantages do these stuffed animals provide their adult owners?

1. Stuffed Creatures Provide People With a Sense of Security

It’s not unexpected that adults utilize stuffed animals and loveys like kids do because they provide comfort through times of change. These are “comfort objects” or “transitional things.” they can give us a stronger sense of stability as we transition from one period of life to another or even from one job or house to another. In most cases, adults sleep with childhood stuffed animals because it gives them a sense of security and lessens uncomfortable sensations like loneliness and anxiety, according to Margaret Van Ackeren, a qualified therapist. As things change, having that sense of security is crucial because it makes navigating change easier.

2. Plush Animals May Reduce Loneliness

Adults can feel alone and alienated in the modern world while surrounded by people. Research suggests we may be growing more isolated even as the internet continues to connect us all. We suffer when we are alone because humans are social animals. Stuffed animals can lessen feelings of loneliness and alienation while not being able to fully replace the social role that other people play in our life. This can help us cope with the interconnected and lonely modern world.

3. Stuffed Animals For Adults With Anxiety Are Realy Helpful

Stuffed animals for adults with anxiety is probably one of the best subtle solutions. Did you know that stuffed animals can be helpful in many of the same ways that live animals can? Living animals have been gaining popularity as therapeutic tools. One study found that people with disorganized attachment patterns found it easier to create secure attachments and mend damaged attachment bonds when given stuffed animals. People can lead more prosperous, happier lives by forming reliable emotional bonds. Stuffed animals are “…recommended in psychotherapy and for persons who have PTSD, bipolar, and other mental disorders,” according to Dr Aniko Dunn. This a wonderful gift!

4. Comfort Animals May Help With Grief

Stuffed animals can remind us of a deceased loved one, helping us navigate the grieving process and lessening the loss that comes with losing someone close to us. To strengthen your bond with your memories of a deceased friend or family member, you may order Memory Bears, a plush bear dressed in their outfit. A plush animal can be used to express your grief without raising suspicion or receiving criticism, and they provide ongoing solace.

5. Stuffed Animals Aid With Trauma Recovery

Some forms of therapy employ stuffed animals! Stuffed animals can be helpful in certain types of “re-parenting,” in which a trauma survivor learns to love and care for the toy (and eventually themselves) to heal from traumatic events as a child. This can lessen sentiments of self-loathing in the trauma victim and improve happiness and self-esteem. “Animals, whether live or stuffed, can enhance therapy for both children and adults by offering a place to experience and express emotions, a feeling of unconditional support, and grounding,” says Rose M. Barlow, professor of psychology at Boise State University. She extends this to people recovering from trauma brought on by neglect or abuse throughout childhood.

6. Stuffed Animals Remind Us of Childhood

The psychological condition of “happy remembering” is known as nostalgia. While nostalgia can be upsetting, it also tends to make us happier and boost our self-esteem. Having fond memories of the past can strengthen our bonds with our families and friends and give our hectic lives a feeling of continuity. Even existential phobias like the fear of dying can be reduced by nostalgia. Dr Christine Batcho, a professor of psychology at LeMoyne College, claims that nostalgia can aid us in coping with transitional periods. According to her, it is consoling to feel nostalgic for the past because it serves as a reminder that, while not knowing what the future holds, we do know who we have been and truly are. What could be a better symbol of nostalgia than a lovey or plush animal from your youth? They could trigger memories of your parents, playing with your siblings, cuddling, or feeling safe. We can indulge in those emotions when we need to most with stuffed animals.

7. Plush Animals Can Help You Relax

Many physiological issues, such as weight gain and a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, can be brought on by Cortisol. Several studies have shown that spending time with animals lowers stress. In actuality, even something as basic as caressing a companion animal, such as a dog or cat, produces meaningful reductions in cortisol levels. Did you know that cuddling a cuddly stuffed animal can have comparable cortisol-lowering effects? We can reduce stress by petting plush animals, which keeps us happier and healthier. There are stuffed animals made especially for stress and anxiety. To provide a double dose of comfort from your stuffed friends, weighted and aromatherapeutic stuffed animals are made to reduce stress.

We’ve selected a collection of plush animals ideal for grownups to ensure that even grownups may discover the ideal animal friend!

Emotional Attachment To Stuffed Animals Adults and Why it is Accepted 

Teddy bears aren’t solely for children; that’s a lie. Yet, we don’t follow it. These cuddly, adorable bears are undoubtedly the most adored and share a wealth of our fondest childhood memories, but we disagree that their warmth and comfort are restricted to just childhood. You may have seen people walking around with their favourite objects stuffed wherever they go. Such persons are viewed as having mental illnesses by society. Do you share this opinion? If so, you should read the entire article to clear things up.

Possession of plush animals like bears, cats, and others does not indicate a mental disorder. You’ll be surprised to learn that psychologists believe teddy bears are suitable for kids and adults. But, you might be asking how. In this essay, we will clarify the situation.

Some people may scowl when we mention that having plush animals as adults is normal. But it’s entirely acceptable for an adult to own a teddy bear. Those that frequently carry their teddy bears with them seem to consider it to be socially acceptable. Professor Bruce Hood (University of Bristol), who has conducted a study on “Our attachment to childhood toys,” claims that even in maturity, it is still common knowledge to sleep or travel with teddies.

According to a 2019 survey, 34% of adults still bring their childhood plush toys to bed every night, while 44% still carry them from that time. It suggests that carrying a teddy bear around is expected and that carrying plush animals as an adult is not uncomfortable.

It is important to note that having a stuffed animal fixation is not improper because it has recently assisted many people in overcoming their feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and low self-esteem. Also, according to psychologists, adult stuffed animals convey a sense of homeliness, and cuddling up with a soft toy has therapeutic benefits.

People think of the bear as a way to care for themselves since it has special meaning for us. Remember those horrible nights when you were emotionally exposed; these chubby beings gave you all the warmth and loved you required. The finest gift for someone struggling with doubts, traumas, worry, and irritation can also be proven to be a bear. You don’t need an excuse to give your loved one a giant teddy bear. The ideal gift for a woman will make her feel snug and cherished even when alone.

Many charitable events taking place all around can serve as evidence of the impact teddy bears provide to deserving causes. One such occasion was Adoption Matter’s Teddy Bears’ Picnic in the UK in August 2021. Celebrities like John Thomson and Gail Porter supported the event, and parents, kids, and their teddies were welcome to participate and have a great day.

What Does Play Mean For Adults?

Teddy bears do provide emotional support for people. According to psychologists, delivering a huge teddy bear to a loved one can significantly improve their emotional well-being. Hugging a teddy bear and grieving, unloading all the tension and pain, can be therapeutic and calming for humans, especially in the current COVID times where people lack a human touch.

It is a proven truth that caressing a pet like a dog or a cat helps to lower stress. It lowers the body’s level of Cortisol (the stress hormone), and elevated levels can lead to issues like weight gain, cardiovascular disease, etc. An anchor in choppy waters, a stuffed animal for youngsters or adults, makes it easier to deal with problems and provides company. You’d be surprised to learn that handling a stuffed animal has the same impact on the body.

Psychologists also favour using stuffed animals as a therapy to help people of all ages direct their emotions into a safe and welcoming environment. By making the recipient feel connected, comforting plush animals raise dopamine levels. Thus,

A plush animal can provide you with emotional support and boost your self-esteem.

Thus, don’t think too much; give your loved ones reassuring and calming plush animals. To purchase a large teddy bear for men, children, or girls nearby, visit any number of shops and online or via our Plushies store.

What Solace Can Teddy Bears Provide?

You’ll have to admit that comfort and teddy bears go hand in hand. Anyone can feel at ease if they feel secure and protected. The teddy bear is a physically soothing component in people’s lives and helps them cope with strange settings. Stuffed animals are advised for those with bipolar, PTSD, and other mental disorders, according to Dr Aniko Dunn.

At 16, sleeping with a teddy bear is still common, just like when you were younger. The responsible grownups who carry stuffed animals shouldn’t find it odd.

The Advantages of Sleeping With a Plush Animal May Be Something You’re Curious in. Let’s Be Clear on This:

* Releases Oxytocin: When we cuddle anything incredibly plush and soothing, oxytocin, a hormone that relaxes and settles our minds, is released.

* Reduce Loneliness: by using a teddy bear as a cushion during trying times. It eliminates isolation and loneliness and fills the void left by a lack of interpersonal contact.

* As Social Animals: All we need to improve our mental health is someone to listen to us when needed. We become sane and repair our general mental health by sharing and caring. The teddy bear satisfies the same demand, enhancing mental health.

* Help Us To Grieve. Being a person comes with the ability to experience grief. Without passing judgment, teddy bears support us through our times of mourning and provide ongoing solace.

We trust that you now see why plush animals can also make great friends for grownups. Warmth, sympathy, and comfort are qualities we might experience at any stage.