While many people over the age of 20 may try to hide their fondness for plushies, keeping your childhood furry friends may be a step in the right direction for your mental health. According to Professor Bruce Hood of Bristol University in the United Kingdom, sharing a bed with a soft toy is actually very common, and one in every three people finds comfort in keeping a plushies in their bedroom.
In this article, we'll look at why, even as adults, we still like to secretly cuddle a plushie, and how investing in plush toys and stuffed toys can help with major health issues like work-related stress, social anxiety, depression, and even loneliness.
- Plushies Reduce Work Stress
- Plushies Reduce Social Anxiety
- Plushies Helps to Cope with Loneliness
- Plushies Promote Positive Thinking
Why Invest In Plush Toys?
As an adult, purchasing a plush toy may make you feel a little embarrassed, but most people would not think twice about a couple going to Disneyland for a weekend getaway. However, seeing plushies on an adult's bed remains unusual in our Western society for some reason.
However, our society still places plushies. Plushies for adults are finally becoming socially acceptable, thanks to the film Ted, which features a witty and slightly rude real life teddy bear, a major UK insurance company rewarding customers with a collectible family or meerkats, and the rising popularity of Asian fashion, music, and culture around the world.
Plushies are a fantastic mental health support, whether you have a soft spot for them or are looking for a unique way to reduce stress.
So, let’s take a look at 5 ways soft toys and plush toys are helping to promote mental health and provide adults with emotional support at home.
1. Plushies Reduces Work Stress
In 2020, 79% of UK professionals reported work-related stress. According to the American Institute of Stress, approximately 33% of persons reported experiencing extreme stress, and 77% said work-related stress had an influence on their physical health. Fatigue, worry, sadness, emotional eating, mood changes, and an increased risk of heart disease and heart attack are all symptoms of work-related stress.
Finding a technique to lessen work-related stress and lower the likelihood of significant health problems is therefore critical. Plushies, thankfully, can come to the rescue in this case. Coming home to something soft and fluffy that is always delighted to see you might help you feel protected and reassured. After all, a teddy bear is a global symbol of love, and both doctors and therapists believe that a weighted soft toy can aid in the reduction of work-related stress.
2. Plushies Reduce Social Anxiety
If the thought of going to a group event, social gathering, or family gathering makes you nervous, you may be suffering from social anxiety. According to a September 2020 study, social anxiety is on the rise, and the rising use of social media and technology is to blame. As we spend more time on our phones, tablets, and laptops and less time building social skills, forming support groups, and engaging in face-to-face conversation, social situations become more frightening, intimidating, and unfamiliar.
Relationships are important for young people's mental health, and the more we hide behind a computer, the more harm is done to society as a whole. A cute looking plushie, on the other hand, could be the solution. Being able to give you a hug, a familiar smile, and mental reassurance assists many people in overcoming this problem and developing the mental power to face challenging situations.
3. Plushies Helps to Cope with Loneliness
Buzzfeed published a survey that highlighted how some Buzzfeed community members felt about their plushies and why they chose to keep their childhood stuffed toys. One individual told Buzzfeed that she still sleeps with her childhood stuffed toys and is comforted knowing that he is always there for her after a long day at work. Another person described their plushies as a "piece of home" that they bring with them when they travel.
Unfortunately, many people experience loneliness as they age. Whether you haven't found the ideal spouse yet or have had a string of poor relationships, feeling lonely as an adult is surprisingly common. If you can't have a pet, a plushies can help improve your spirits and provide you with someone cute and cuddly to hug at night. In fact, plushies are being utilised in cafes and restaurants across Asia to combat loneliness. If you dine alone at the Moomin Cafe, you will be accompanied by a large plushie. If you prefer to eat at home, you can purchase a soft fuzzy friend.
4. Plushies Promote Positive Thinking
Plushies can serve as a helpful reminder of happy childhood experiences, your parents' love and comfort, and the wonder of childhood. Plushies can help us recall a time when everything and anything looked imaginable, from Disney films and fairytales to Harry Potter and superheroes, and this will do wonders for your mental health. As we get older as adults, we frequently experience thoughts of self-doubt, and these feelings can easily lead to a pessimistic attitude on life.
These days, growing up can feel very lonely, especially for those who move away for school, work, or are responsible for raising a young family alone. When you're feeling low, having a few adorable plushies with big smiles about the house will cheer you up and reassure you.
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