For many adults, cuddling up with a stuffed animal at night isn’t just a nostalgic habit — it might actually help them sleep better. While it’s often thought that plush toys are reserved for children, more adults are openly embracing them for comfort and emotional support, and experts say there’s no reason to stop.
During the pandemic, plush toy sales surged — and not just for kids. In 2024, over 20% of plush toys were bought by adults, according to market research firm Circana. Brands like Build-A-Bear have even dedicated entire sections to adult customers. A survey from the company found that about 40% of adults still sleep with a stuffed animal.
Experts say the comfort is real. “Stuffed animals can provide a sense of security, reduce stress, and help with sleep — especially for people who live alone,” said Dr. Jade Wu, a sleep psychologist. Weighted plush toys can even mimic the calming effects of a weighted blanket, which research has shown can help ease anxiety and support restful sleep.
Therapists are also incorporating stuffed animals into mental health practices. Dr. Jessica Lamar, a Seattle-based therapist, uses plush toys to help patients heal childhood trauma. Some adults create a bear representing their inner child, offering it the love and care they may have lacked growing up.
The stigma around stuffed animals being “childish” is slowly eroding. Experts emphasize that staying connected to your childhood self — in healthy, balanced ways — can actually promote emotional resilience. “It’s not immature,” said Lamar. “It’s self-soothing, and that’s a skill we all need.”
And while cuddling a plush toy might not replace professional mental health care, it can certainly be a better bedtime companion than a nightcap. “If it helps with stress or sleep, it’s far healthier than alcohol or sleeping pills,” said psychologist Dr. Barbara Greenberg. “And it hurts no one.”
Source: CNN
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