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Clumsy Mr. Bean, a child in a man’s body, had no one but Teddy as his best friend, whom he takes to the pet shows, holidays, doctor — and what not!

They even sleep and read a bedtime story together. Isn’t it an ideal relationship with a button-eyed, knitted-brown teddy with sausage-shaped limbs? Yeah, simply adorable.

Not only movies thrust unique themes of endearing relationship with toys, but so does reality. They’re more than props.

More than just a prize which a hero wins to impress a heroine. What are they, then? They are comfort, joy, and companion to many and, for me, a necessity.

I have been attached to stuffed toys forever — even before I knew I needed them. I can still spark up a memory of myself as a little girl in a dress, with a lollipop in the mouth, squishing a giant teddy beneath my shoulder.

Over time, my huge white teddy turned into my necessity.

I think we all, as a child, hold a hidden urge to take care of something smaller than us.

When the world is out there, commanding us to follow the rules, we find ourselves in authority when catering to these stuffed toys.

We love to be their guardian, and interestingly, when we grow up, they become our guardians instead, helping us cope with several emotions.

They cheer every age group, not just kids.

According to a study, about 40% of adults still sleep with stuffed animals–or at least have them kept somewhere safe.

Questioning why? The 40% appreciate the more significant role a stuffed animal plays in shaping one’s life.

From teaching development skills to equipping one emotionally, stuffed animals can do it all.

Scientific research has backed how this cuddling companion can fulfill two vital adulthood needs: comfort and safety.

Many consider themselves guilty of sleeping with furry animals — they shouldn’t.

As Prof Bruce Hood of the University of Bristol says, it is relatively acceptable.

His research on our attachment to childhood toys explored how one of every three people sleep with the teddies and more women, as they’re more socially acceptable for it.

Everyone has different reasons for bonding with stuffed toys, but they all tie back to gain emotional stability.

Let’s dive into what stuffed toys generally offer and why I love to get many.

How to reduce stress and tension with A Stuffed Toy

1. Golden Twilight of Healing

Studies suggest that nearly 50% of US adults experience varying degrees of mental health disorders — like depression or anxiety.

During such conditions, soothing comfort from the stuffed toys can offer quicker healing.

Dr. Aniko Dunn suggests:

“…stuffed animals are recommended in psychotherapy and for people who have PTSD, bipolar and other mental disorders.”

I had not pondered earlier, but the very logic resides in why stuffed animals are sold in hospital gift shops.

Promising faster recovery through comfort, squishy toys plant value for every individual — irrespective of age.

But what’s the science of such warmth? Johnson, the owner of a comfort cub, explains rolling stones.

“There is science behind holding a weighted object. When you hold the cub against your chest, it elicits the same physical response as getting a hug. Your brain releases the happy hormones of dopamine and serotonin, which causes your heart rate to decrease, your breathing to slow down, and gives your body an overall feeling of calm and peace.”

Adding my experience, stuffed toys can aid mental sufferings, like coping with a loss.

After my father’s demise, I felt a piece missing within me. The part is still missing. But the toy’s comfort filled my depressed nights.

I remember clinging to a white teddy, which breath comfort in my trauma.

Surrounded by people did not help me. Interestingly, their presence did not last long either.

Relatives and friends were around me for three days. After that? Just silence — a deep silence all around. I admit Teddy was silent.

But yet, I could feel a strange comfort with the silence we shared.

Sleeping in those monstrous nights, when nightmares did not forget to knock, teddy served as my guardian, a protector which I once, as a child, used to be — simply, a classic example of role play.

What I did about it and you can too::

To overcome grief, I loved the idea of memory bears where a stuffed animal is sewn with the deceased’s clothes, offering a more profound connection and deeper comfort.

2. Lift Loneliness Trap

As the world is becoming a global village, are we becoming more connected?

On a surface: yes. Deep down: no. We are getting lonelier. Everyone leaves, except the stuffed toys.

Well, Therapist Margaret Van Ackeren tells well and good,

“In most instances, adults sleep with childhood stuffed animals because it brings them a sense of security and reduces negative feelings, such as loneliness and anxiety.” The tools can provide calmness and a sense of not being alone — much like they might have for you when you were little.

I realized stuffed animals will never break up or develop any misunderstanding, never leaving me all alone.

It is common to see people who get through their tough days in bed while hugging a squishy toy.

It helps to calm down — of course, depending on the level of gravity of the matter, one might need other therapies further assistance, but this first step helps.

What I did about it and you can too::

Whenever I encounter a bad day at work, I recall that a squishy toy is there for me at home waiting to be hugged and ready to calm down my nerves.

I know they cannot fully take the social role and replace humans but surely help ease alienation and loneliness in the time of my need.

3. Feed Sentimental Value

Professor Hood tells guardian, we have our sentiments attached to these stuffed toys, and it is customary to cherish such childish attachments. He says,

“It’s about having a sentimental attachment to things,”

This fact aids us to present stuffed toys as a gift. The delicate gift signifies friendship.

Capable of spreading smiles around the world, stuffed animals top the chart of most appreciated gifts.

I determined the significance of cuddling soft stuffed toys from their wide propagation during Valentine’s days and other gifts festive — they are indeed the center of attention.

I can vouch you will never forget someone who gives you stuff toys, even if the other does!

I clearly remember receiving a pink stuffed doll from a boy’s mom.

Before you develop different ideas, let me clear — it was back in third grade.

I still cherish that gift because it sent me a message of sweetness.

My classmate has probably forgotten about me, but I have not — credits to the pink doll.

What I did about it and you can too:

I drilled into my head that stuffed toys are ideal gifts, as they make others feel loved and valued.

By gifting the stuff toys to the loved ones, I send the message of sweetness across, and gift stuffed-toys to sparkle smiles.

4. Thrive With a Tender Touch

I love these comforting ones because they watch my favorite movies and read my favorite books with me— they are like a pet without maintenance to those who cannot afford to live with one.

I have my teddy by my side, especially when watching horror movies. I need its touch and company, especially!

Interestingly, there is research that suggests why even holding the stuffed toys offer calmness.

When we are a kid or adult, cuddle or touch something soft, we release oxytocin, a hormone that makes us feel soothed and calm.

So, simply feel their softness and function calmly whenever needed.

What I did about it and you can too:

I am more mindful of the oxytocin hormone, and release it often by cuddling anything soft, like cushions, preferably a teddy bear.

5. Sweep Self-esteem Issues

Interestingly, researchers at VU University Amsterdam have shown an impressive finding suggesting how soft toys affect people with low self-esteem, helping them alleviate stress regarding death. In Psychological science, Koole states:

“Our findings show that even touching an inanimate object — such as a teddy bear — can soothe existential fears. Interpersonal touch is such a powerful mechanism that even objects that simulate touch by another person may help to instill in people a sense of existential significance.”

What I did about it and you can too:

Existential concerns bothered me but by touching a stuffed toy I reduce ethnocentrism — a defensive reaction against death reminders.

6. Tap Therapeutics

Interestingly, they are as therapeutic as living animals. Rose M. Barlow of the Department of Psychology at Boise State University in Idaho inquired whether living animals are equally therapeutic as stuffed ones by surveying female college students with dissociative identity disorder (DID). She concluded women with high dissociation developed a stronger attachment to stuffed animals than live.

“Animals, live or stuffed, can aid therapy for both children and adults by providing a way to experience and express emotions, a feeling of unconditional support, and grounding,” Barlow expands in her research.

What I did about it and and you can too:

Several reasons do not allow me get a pet for myself, thus I go for a stuffed toy instead. To me it provides similar therapeutic benefits as research expounds above .

7. Purge Stress

Heard of several studies suggesting how animals like cats and dogs reduce cortisol — a stress hormone? Probably.

But you might not have heard how touching stuffed reduces your cortisol levels in the same way.

What I did about it and you can too:

I release exam stress and homesickness through the company of stuffed toys. Whenever stress alarms me, I just touch a soft animal.

Life made me taste several emotions. I liked some. Hated the rest.

To cope with mixed circumstances, I needed someone. Disagreeing with the notion that you have to handle all the adversity alone, I can state stuffed toys never left me all by myself.

Yes, Unlike people, stuffed toys will never leave you — a fact impossible to state for any human substitute.

Instead of judging and laughing at you, stuffed animals will always sit beside you, ever ready to get cuddled.

No complaints and no demands.

Remember, you’re not delusional if you love the comfort of stuffed animals.

If you have not yet experienced the soothing ability and emotional wellness these animals have to offer, try the magic of this tool yourself.

Society pressure creeping in?

Who deems this attachment as odd? Remember, they’re just a handful of unconcerned people. Who comment, not comfort.