Lauren Schapiro, a psychotherapist at Liz Morrison Therapy in New York City, agrees. “There is no age when kids should stop sleeping with stuffed animals,” she explains. “Stuffed animals serve many different purposes for children and even adults.
According to Margaret Van Ackeren, licensed therapist, “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.” That sense of security is important when things are in flux, helping us navigate change more ...
It's totally normal to sleep with a stuffed animal from your childhood. Experts say it can provide a sense of comfort and security and help soothe stress. However, if your attachment starts to interfere with your work or relationships, it could be indicative of a deeper problem that needs to be addressed.
It is not unusual for your attachment to soft toys as a sleep aid to persist into adulthood. A survey carried out last year found that 44% of adults have held on to their childhood teddies and dolls, and as many as 34% of adults still sleep with a soft toy every night.
Stuffed animals are a source for comfort at any age
No matter what age you are, sometimes you need something to cuddle with after a hard day. A stuffed animal can be a great source of comfort because it never talks back, doesn't give bad advice, and is always willing to lend an ear.
“Tweens and teens often continue to sleep with a stuffed animal or favorite childhood blanket, as it brings comfort and helps relax them to sleep as it did in younger years.” Concerned that your child is too old to be sleeping with stuffed animals? Don't be.
Don't worry—it isn't weird for adults to sleep with stuffed animals. Sleep experts say it's normal and fine to cuddle up with a teddy bear.
Psychologists told the paper it's nothing unusual and there isn't a mandate to give up your favorite stuffed animal or other sentimental items at a certain age — they'll just become less important when you don't need them.
Bedtime habits survey: 40% of adults still sleep with childhood stuffed animal - and their partner - Study Finds.
Adult Relaxation
Studies have shown that being able to touch something that comforts you will immediately make you feel calmer and more comfortable. This is especially true of adults who struggle with low self-esteem or confidence.
Therapist Margaret Van Ackeren, LMFT, says, “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.” Basically, the tools can provide calmness and a sense of not being alone—much like they might have for ...
People are turning to them to help cope with anxiety, stress, grief and isolation. While the positive effects of stuffed animals are still being researched, some studies have found that weighted blankets and cosy toys can reduce anxiety. Some people have also used them to cope with loss.
And surprisingly, 84 percent of men own at least one, compared to the 77 percent of women who do.
Many adults still sleep with a stuffed animal
For those who sleep with a stuffed animal, the item can offer security when a parent or loved one isn't nearby. Stuffed animals are what psychologist Donald Winnicott calls “transitional objects,” bridging an uncertain gap or difficult time for kids.
"Usually, adults grow past needing those same sources of comfort," she says, "but in times of extreme stress or emotional despair, it is quite normal for an adult to revert to childhood sources of self-soothing and comfort to relieve anxiety and pain." Basically, they serve a similar function for you as an adult as ...
They serve as much, much more than a shelf decoration or something to gaze upon from time to time. Sleeping with and cuddling a teddy bear emits the same response as, say, petting a dog would; the cortisol levels lower and the oxytocin levels rise.
According to Google, an average Teddy bear can last for 15 to 18 years. My hippo plush named henry was thrown away after 14 years of cuddling.
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.
As we grow older, our stuffed toys become more than just toys. They become symbols of comfort, security, and love. When we hold onto our stuffed animals, we are holding onto the memories and emotions associated with them. Stuffed animals can also serve as a way help us to connect with others.
Stuffed animals remind seniors of their youth
Stuffed animals remind the elderly of their own youth, or their children and grandchildren. Both elderly men and women can remember a time when they were younger and had a few stuffed animals or dolls that provided hours of entertainment.
This is a common question, often asked as "how many stuffed animals are too many?" There's no clear cut answer to this question, because it really comes down to how much space you can devote to storing them, without sacrificing other types of storage areas you need for other things.
Yes, it's perfectly normal for adults to be emotionally attached to stuffed animals, especially if they were used as transitional objects during their childhood. As transitional objects, they provided safety and comfort, which could improve the well-being of your psychological state as an adult.
A 2016 study observed that holding a stuffed animal during group therapy allowed college students to better comfort themselves. The act of hugging has also been associated with stress relief, and a 2013 study found that interacting with a huggable communication device lowered stress hormones in blood and saliva.
Yes, they do. Even though most don't believe it, there's no way you can prove that stuffed animals don't have feelings. Just because they aren't an animal or human doesn't mean they can't have feelings.
You may THINK this is heavily skewed toward women, but that's NOT the case. 22% of men say they have regularly slept with stuffed animals as an adult . . . while 25% of women say the same. This COULD be a more recent phenomenon . . .