The Therapeutic Benefits of Stuffed Animals

A few years ago, I went out and got my first emotional support animal: a Syrian hamster named Hamtaro. Taming and training this little ball of energy taught me a lot about compassion and confidence. Learning to relate to a creature that you can't verbally understand takes a lot of mutual trust and respect, and we developed a very strong bond. Being responsible for my hamster gave me something to look forward to everyday, and learning how to give him the best care I possibly could gave me something productive to channel my anxious energy into. Since then, I've had the chance to care for lots of different animals, and each of them added more positivity to my life in different ways.

Pets have been proven to help with your mental health. According to the American Heart Association, pets "reduce stress, anxiety and depression; ease loneliness; encourage exercise; and improve your overall health." They can lower your blood pressure, and playing with them releases the feel-good chemicals oxytocin and dopamine in your brain.

However, not everyone can or wants to have a pet of their own, and that's where stuffed animals come in. While it's not exactly the same, they do offer some of the same benefits of owning a pet, with much less of the responsibility. Cuddling with them releases the same feel-good chemicals in your brain that petting a live animal does, and it reduces cortisol, which helps relieve stress and loneliness in people of all ages. Fidgeting with a stuffed animal can also help distract your mind from anxious thoughts, and sleeping with your childhood teddy bear can promote better sleep by reminding you of the safety and security of childhood.

Stuffed animals often act as transitional objects, commonly helping to bridge the gap between childhood and adulthood, but these days, more and more adults are holding onto their childhood toys and collecting new ones. From June 2021 to June 2022, adults represented about two-thirds of dollar growth in the toy market. I, personally, have multiple collections of stuffed animals decorating my shelves, bed, and office, along with a few tiny ones I keep in my pocket to fidget with. It really does help calm me down. Next time you're in a stressful situation or are having trouble sleeping, maybe reaching for a plush toy will give you the relief you need and help calm your nerves.