{"id":3329,"date":"2026-01-09T08:50:28","date_gmt":"2026-01-09T08:50:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hiddenhealthysecrets.com\/index.php\/2026\/01\/09\/adults-can-sleep-with-stuffed-animals-too-it-might-even-be-a-good-thing-experts-say-2\/"},"modified":"2026-01-09T08:50:28","modified_gmt":"2026-01-09T08:50:28","slug":"adults-can-sleep-with-stuffed-animals-too-it-might-even-be-a-good-thing-experts-say-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hiddenhealthysecrets.com\/index.php\/2026\/01\/09\/adults-can-sleep-with-stuffed-animals-too-it-might-even-be-a-good-thing-experts-say-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Adults can sleep with stuffed animals, too. It might even be a good thing, experts say"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/ai-article-summary\/instances\/cm8rzt1ay00093b6m8p7bcvfk@published\" class=\"ai-article-summary hidden \" data-article-gutter=\"true\" data-selector-brand=\"accent-ai\">    <button class=\"ai-article-summary__toggle\">        <strong class=\"ai-article-summary__title\">            <span class=\"ai-article-summary__stars-icon\">            <\/span>            <span>Summary<\/span>        <\/strong>            <span class=\"ai-article-summary__toggle-caret-up\" aria-label=\"Toggle Article Summary\"><\/span>            <span class=\"ai-article-summary__toggle-caret-down\" aria-label=\"Toggle Article Summary\"><\/span>    <\/button>    <\/p>\n<div class=\"ai-article-summary__collapsible\">\n<ul class=\"ai-article-summary__items\" data-editable=\"settings\">\n<li class=\"ai-article-summary__item\">Over 20% of plush toys were purchased by adults in 2024, with increased interest since the pandemic, sales data shows.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ai-article-summary__item\">Stuffed animals provide comfort during uncertainty and help adults connect to childhood memories, experts say.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ai-article-summary__item\">Therapists sometimes use stuffed animals to help adults process childhood trauma and practice self-soothing.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ai-article-summary__item\">Stuffed animals may fulfill evolutionary needs for feeling safe during sleep by simulating social contact.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ai-article-summary__item\">Mental health professionals note using plush toys for stress relief is healthier than alternatives like alcohol or medication.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"ai-article-summary__footer\">            <span class=\"ai-article-summary__disclaimer-text\">This summary was AI-generated and reviewed by CNN editors.<\/span>                                <\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm8q8ezpz004i26p69ht7e8um@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            Max Genecov is a doctoral candidate in clinical psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, a dad, and a stuffed animal owner.    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm8q8gbwj00083b6mstoa0kbi@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            \u201cI\u2019ve always had them growing up, I had a big fantasy life with them (as a child),\u201d he said. \u201cI just think that they\u2019re nice things you have.\u201d    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm8q8gbwk00093b6mka6jdd34@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            He has a plush racoon from his childhood, crochets them when friends or family have babies, and still sometimes hugs a stuffed animal or uses one as a pillow when he sleeps, he said.    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm8q8gbwk000a3b6my7b27lkf@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            It might sound unusual, but when you think about it \u2013\u2013 is it really?    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm8q8gbwk000b3b6mq9t0h10a@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            Plush sales grew over the Covid-19 pandemic, and in 2024, 21% of plush toys were sold to adults over 18, according to Juli Lennett, US\u202ftoys industry adviser at Circana, a market research and technology company in Chicago.    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm8q8gbwk000c3b6mzpc6b012@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            Stuffed animals \u201cstruck a chord with young adults and adults as a means to entertain, collect, and provide comfort during the pandemic,\u201d she said in an email.    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm8q8gbwk000d3b6mgr4i4nww@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            Build-A-Bear even has an entire section of its website dedicated to products for grown-ups. A survey the company commissioned found that more than half of people held on to a childhood stuffed animal, and about 40% said they sleep with a plush toy.    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm8q8gbwk000e3b6mtgnh5ssz@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            \u201cI wonder if people are seeking more comfort in the face of uncertainty,\u201d said Dr. Jade Wu, a sleep psychologist and founder of Thrive Sleep Clinic in Durham, North Carolina. And for people living on their own, it could be nice to have something to cuddle with at night, she added.    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm8q8gbwk000f3b6mmra887vx@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            There is nothing wrong with having a stuffed animal as an adult or using one to sleep better, experts said. In fact, there are a lot of positives to it.    <\/p>\n<h2 class=\"subheader inline-placeholder subheader vossi-subheader vossi-subheader--size-h2\" data-editable=\"text\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/subheader\/instances\/cm8q8haze001e3b6ma1qeczl2@published\" data-component-name=\"subheader\" id=\"stuffed-animals-are-for-anyone\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">        Stuffed animals are for anyone<\/h2>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm8q8gbwk000h3b6m6yq7atx8@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            As a mental health therapist in Seattle, Dr. Jessica Lamar uses stuffed animals with adults who are working through trauma, she said.    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm8q8gbwk000i3b6m04pta5ni@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            They go to Build-A-Bear and make a bear to represent their inner child or a younger version of themselves so they can  heal trauma from childhood, she said.    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm8q8gbwk000j3b6mwxc4gbk8@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            Patients giving the bears the comfort, connection and compassion they might not have gotten enough of as a child can be very helpful, Lamar added.    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm8q8gbwk000k3b6m3p32hxtt@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            But stuffed animals aren\u2019t just for people working through trauma. Anyone can benefit from the gentleness, softness and self-soothing that a cute, plush object can bring, Genecov said.    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm8q8gbwk000l3b6mjyk31oqz@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            Lamar agreed, noting that a stuffed animal you\u2019ve had since childhood can provide nostalgia, a connection to family or friends you are far from, and a touchpoint for pleasant memories.    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm8q8gbwk000m3b6m5566kedc@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            \u201cIt can be very cozy, relaxing and nice,\u201d Wu said. \u201cThere\u2019s no reason why adults can\u2019t have the benefits of  that kids get.\u201d    <\/p>\n<div data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/related-content\/instances\/cm8ryq3cb00033b6mntx5i23g@published\" data-component-name=\"related-content\" class=\"related-content_full-width related-content_full-width--article\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n<div class=\"related-content_full-width__image image__related-content\">            <\/div>\n<p class=\"related-content_full-width__headline\">            <span class=\"related-content_full-width__title-text\" data-editable=\"content.title\">Related article<\/span>      <span class=\"related-content_full-width__headline-text\" data-editable=\"content.headline\">Socks could really improve your sleep, experts say<\/span>    <\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"subheader inline-placeholder subheader vossi-subheader vossi-subheader--size-h2\" data-editable=\"text\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/subheader\/instances\/cm8q8gu4m001b3b6mf6grj12o@published\" data-component-name=\"subheader\" id=\"its-not-immature-to-cuddle-with-a-stuffie\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">        It\u2019s not immature to cuddle with a stuffie<\/h2>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm8q8gbwk000o3b6mx71xnno3@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            But that is the problem \u2013\u2013 stuffed animals are for kids, you might be thinking.    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm8q8gbwk000p3b6mk0t6s890@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            \u201cIf we think about it from the lens of being like a healthy, balanced adult, I actually think it\u2019s really helpful to say, \u2018Hey, I am this adult who\u2019s in college, and I still have this healthy attachment to my childhood,\u2019\u201d Lamar said. \u201cIt\u2019s really wonderful to be able to say, \u2018This is a part of my child self that I want to stay connected to.\u2019\u201d    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm8q8gbwk000q3b6mayffd0wt@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            Maybe there would be an issue if someone became severely distressed or unable to sleep when they were separated from their stuffed animal, Lamar said. It could also be a problem if people used their stuffed animals to avoid other issues, said Dr. Barbara Greenberg, a clinical psychologist in Weston, Connecticut.    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm8q8gbwk000r3b6mrcqal724@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            But both said they haven\u2019t seen that become an issue.    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm8q8gbwk000s3b6mifjhvc47@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            In fact, using a stuffed animal to feel better could be good modeling to the kids in your life, Greenberg said.    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm8q8gbwk000t3b6m7t6i0sbq@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            \u201cThis is one of the ways to self soothe. We take something like an animal into our bed; it\u2019s comforting,\u2019\u201d she said. \u201cThat\u2019s one of the things you have to teach kids when they\u2019re young, how to self-regulate, how to self soothe.\u201d    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm8q8gbwk000u3b6mstri1qhx@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            Especially important is to let boys keep their stuffed animals \u2013\u2013 they need self-soothing too, Greenberg said.    <\/p>\n<h2 class=\"subheader inline-placeholder subheader vossi-subheader vossi-subheader--size-h2\" data-editable=\"text\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/subheader\/instances\/cm8q8gj6i00183b6mmsn1ph0y@published\" data-component-name=\"subheader\" id=\"a-sleep-buddy\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">        A sleep buddy<\/h2>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm8q8gbwk000w3b6mhabr5gtc@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            A stuffed animal in your bed at night might be meeting evolutionary needs, Wu said.    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm8q8gbwk000x3b6m0qkbvsbq@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            \u201cWe evolved to live in tribes and to have a village,\u201d she said. \u201cWe sleep the best when we feel safe, so when we\u2019re feeling vulnerable \u2026 then we want that bodily contact.    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm8q8gbwk000y3b6mt6es5tu8@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            \u201cSocial sleeping makes us  feel more safe and sleep better. So, a stuffed animal may be sort of a good alternative to having someone else sleeping in your bed.\u201d    <\/p>\n<div data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/related-content\/instances\/cm8q8idew001j3b6m9itkthlz@published\" data-component-name=\"related-content\" class=\"related-content_full-width related-content_full-width--article\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">\n<div class=\"related-content_full-width__image image__related-content\">            <\/div>\n<p class=\"related-content_full-width__headline\">            <span class=\"related-content_full-width__title-text\" data-editable=\"content.title\">Related article<\/span>      <span class=\"related-content_full-width__headline-text\" data-editable=\"content.headline\">Your boozy nightcap is disrupting your sleep. Try these tips instead<\/span>    <\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm8q8gbwk000z3b6mg0t1ad2r@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            Even over the course of a life, it makes sense to need contact when you sleep, Lamar added. The womb is a very safe space; then as babies, humans are swaddled to sleep, she said.    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm8q8gbwk00103b6mbx7f705f@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            \u201cAs we get older, that obviously becomes less of a need, but that need is still there,\u201d Lamar said.    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm8q8gbwk00113b6m316wubtu@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            Some stuffed animals are even weighted to provide a little extra pressure when you snuggle up.    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm8q8gbwk00123b6msk3neuq5@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            \u201cThere is some research showing that weighted blankets, at least, can help to calm the mind and body,\u201d Wu said.  \u201cI could definitely see a weight of stuffed animals serving a similar function as a weighted blanket in that way.\u201d    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm8q8gbwk00133b6m7fzqha7y@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            If nothing else, stuffed animals can help with better sleep by providing a signal to the brain that it is time to wind down, Wu added.    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm8q8gbwk00143b6mhcie1y09@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            \u201cThe feeling of it, the smell of it, the sight of it, can be associated with sleep, and so helps to signal that you know sleep is coming,\u201d she said.    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm8q8gbwk00153b6mmozdh45c@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            However you use your favorite stuffed animal \u2013\u2013 displayed on a shelf, tucked in a closet or ready for you in bed at night \u2013\u2013 it is great if it can be a way to get better sleep, Greenberg said.    <\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph inline-placeholder vossi-paragraph\" data-uri=\"cms.cnn.com\/_components\/paragraph\/instances\/cm8q8gbwk00163b6m9n6t7nai@published\" data-editable=\"text\" data-component-name=\"paragraph\" data-article-gutter=\"true\">            \u201cIf it helps you with stress, it\u2019s a much better alternative than taking a tranquilizer or drinking a glass of wine. It hurts nobody,\u201d she said.    <\/p>\n<\/p>\n<div>This post appeared first on cnn.com<\/div>\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Summary Over 20% of plush toys were purchased by adults in 2024, with increased interest since the pandemic, sales data shows. Stuffed animals provide comfort during uncertainty and help adults connect to childhood memories, experts&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3330,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[119],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3329","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sleep"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hiddenhealthysecrets.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3329","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hiddenhealthysecrets.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hiddenhealthysecrets.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hiddenhealthysecrets.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hiddenhealthysecrets.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3329"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/hiddenhealthysecrets.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3329\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hiddenhealthysecrets.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3330"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hiddenhealthysecrets.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3329"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hiddenhealthysecrets.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3329"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hiddenhealthysecrets.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3329"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}