The Comfort Of Stuffed Animals For Older Women's Sleep

It's not uncommon for adults to sleep with stuffed animals, with 40% of adults admitting to doing so. Stuffed toys are transitional objects, providing stability and comfort to children when their caregivers aren't there, but adults can also benefit from this comfort. Stuffed animals can help adults cope with distress and provide a sense of security during times of extreme stress or anxiety.

Stuffed animals can be 'transitional objects' that provide comfort during times of anxiety or change

Stuffed animals can be transitional objects that provide comfort during times of anxiety or change. They can be a source of stability and comfort for adults going through a difficult time, such as a transition to parenthood, middle age, or a global pandemic. Admitting that we need this kind of support can be challenging as it goes against cultural norms and may expose our vulnerabilities and insecurities. However, it's important to recognise that everyone needs softness and comfort at times, and there is no shame in seeking it through a stuffed animal.

Toronto-based mental health professional and registered social worker, Krystal Kavita Jagoo, explains that just as stuffed animals provide comfort and security to children, they can also do the same for adults in times of extreme stress. As we get older, we may learn to rely on self-soothing techniques to cope with distress, and cuddling a stuffed animal can be one such technique.

Psychologist and professor of human development and behavior at the University of Pennsylvania, Vivian C. Seltzer, notes that it is particularly common for young adults to keep transitional objects from childhood. This could be because young adulthood is a time of significant transition, and stuffed animals can provide a sense of familiarity and comfort during this period of change.

Additionally, board-certified sleep psychologist and researcher at Duke University School of Medicine, Jade Wu, PhD, DBSM, shared that she began sleeping with a stuffed animal during her pregnancy. It soothed her after vivid nightmares and made side-sleeping more comfortable by supporting her growing belly. This example illustrates how stuffed animals can offer both emotional and physical comfort to adults during challenging or transitional periods in their lives.

They can help with side-sleeping by supporting the body

Stuffed animals can be a source of comfort and support for older women, providing a sense of stability during times of transition or stress. They can also aid in achieving a good night's sleep by helping with side-sleeping. For example, a pregnant woman may find that a stuffed animal helps to support her growing belly and makes side-sleeping more comfortable.

Side-sleeping is a common sleep position, and it can be beneficial for older women who may experience back pain or other physical discomforts. Stuffed animals can provide support to the body when side-sleeping, helping to alleviate pressure points and promote better spinal alignment. This can lead to improved sleep quality and reduced pain or stiffness upon waking.

The softness and cuddliness of stuffed animals can also provide a sense of comfort and security, which can be especially important for older women who may be facing various life transitions, such as becoming a grandparent, dealing with an empty nest, or navigating the challenges of ageing. The familiarity and consistency of having a stuffed animal to cuddle with can help reduce anxiety and promote a sense of calm, making it easier to fall asleep and improving overall sleep quality.

Additionally, stuffed animals can serve as a form of self-soothing for older women. As we age, we may learn to rely on different coping mechanisms to manage stress and anxiety. Cuddling a stuffed animal can be a comforting and harmless way to self-soothe, providing a sense of comfort and relaxation that can help older women fall asleep more easily and improve their overall sleep hygiene.

While some older women may feel embarrassed or hesitant to sleep with a stuffed animal, it is important to recognise that everyone has different comfort needs. Embracing vulnerability and prioritising a good night's sleep can lead to improved well-being and a healthier sleep routine.

They can provide a sense of comfort and security to adults in times of extreme stress

Stuffed animals can provide a sense of comfort and security to adults in times of extreme stress. Krystal Kavita Jagoo, a Toronto-based mental health professional and registered social worker, says that "over time, the child learns that they’re able to cuddle with the stuffed animal and feel a sense of comfort, which aids in sleep". She goes on to say that "just as it does for children, a stuffed animal can provide a sense of comfort and security to adults in times of extreme stress".

Jade Wu, PhD, DBSM, a board-certified sleep psychologist and researcher at Duke University School of Medicine, told the *New York Times* that she began sleeping with her older child’s stuffed alligator during pregnancy, when it soothed her after vivid nightmares and also made side-sleeping more comfortable by helping to support her growing belly.

Stuffed toys are “transitional objects”, meaning they provide stability and comfort for children when their caregivers aren’t there. But as one writer points out, "maybe we are always transitioning". Becoming a parent is a transition. Heading into middle age is a transition. Right now, we are collectively transitioning through a pandemic.

It can be hard to admit that we need softness and comfort, because perhaps by acknowledging it, we are acknowledging our deepest insecurities. But as one writer says, "it’s OK to show vulnerability sometimes. It’s a small investment for a good night’s sleep".

They can help with self-soothing to cope with distress

Stuffed animals can help with self-soothing to cope with distress. They are known as "transitional objects", providing stability and comfort for children when their caregivers aren't there. However, as Krystal Kavita Jagoo, a Toronto-based mental health professional and registered social worker, points out, we are always transitioning. Becoming a parent, heading into middle age, and even living through a pandemic are all transitions that can cause anxiety and self-doubt.

Stuffed animals can provide a sense of comfort and security to adults in times of extreme stress. They can help with self-soothing and make it easier to cope with distress. This can be especially helpful for older women who may be facing new challenges and transitions in their lives, such as menopause or retirement.

Jade Wu, PhD, DBSM, a board-certified sleep psychologist and researcher at Duke University School of Medicine, shared that she began sleeping with a stuffed animal during her pregnancy. It soothed her after vivid nightmares and made side-sleeping more comfortable by supporting her growing belly.

Additionally, Vivian C. Seltzer, a psychologist and professor of human development and behaviour at the University of Pennsylvania, notes that it is particularly common for young adults to keep transitional objects from childhood. So, if you're an older woman who still sleeps with a stuffed animal, you're not alone!

It's important to remember that it's okay to show vulnerability and seek comfort. As Weintraub, who also sleeps with a stuffed animal, says, "It's a small investment for a good night's sleep."

They can be a source of emotional support

Stuffed animals can be a source of emotional support for older women. They can provide comfort and security during times of anxiety or change. For example, a woman may find that a stuffed animal helps to soothe her after nightmares or makes her feel more comfortable when side-sleeping.

Krystal Kavita Jagoo, a Toronto-based mental health professional and registered social worker, explains that stuffed animals can provide a sense of comfort and security to adults in times of extreme stress. She says that as people get older, they often learn to rely on some form of self-soothing to cope with distress, and cuddling a stuffed animal is one way to do this.

Vivian C. Seltzer, a psychologist and professor of human development and behaviour at the University of Pennsylvania, agrees that it is common for young adults to keep transitional objects from childhood. Stuffed animals can be seen as "transitional objects" that provide stability and comfort when a person's caregivers aren't around.

During the pandemic, many people found comfort in sleeping with a stuffed animal. Admitting this can be hard, as it goes against cultural norms to discuss our need for softness and comfort. However, it is important to remember that it is okay to show vulnerability and that stuffed animals can provide a small investment for a good night's sleep.

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