Epatoys : Happiness In Your Arms : Cuddly Ecological Soft Animals Toys As Friends For Life

Happiness In Your Arms : Cuddly Ecological Soft Animals Toys As Friends For Life

Every adult remembers their favourite cuddly toy from their childhood. Some still own and treasure it.

What makes a stuffed animal so special? Why can we still remember every detail after decades and smile when we talk about it?

Just in time for World Cuddling Day on January 21st, we have compiled interesting facts about this heartwarming topic. We would also like to give parents a few tips on what to consider when buying and handling their children's fluffy treasures.

Good relationships

A child's first relationship is always with its mother. The relationship develops during pregnancy and is particularly intense in the first few months of the baby's life. Of course, after the birth, the father and/or other caregivers are very important too.

But the fact is - and every pubescent teenager will confirm this - that you can't choose your parents. But you can choose a first intimate cuddly friend! This is a huge step on the way to a self-determined childhood.

Stuffed animals are often referred to by psychologists as transitional objects because they facilitate the transition from the important mother relationship to new interpersonal relationships. If the child has proven itself in several of these relationships and feels comfortable with it, the desire for the stuffed animal will slowly diminish.

A partner

For children, a stuffed animal is much more than just a soft cuddly friend. Personality and soul are given to the inanimate object. It is chatted to, played with, cried at and hoped for. In addition, the stuffed animal is always there, even when mum and dad are busy.

In order to be able to successfully cope with the many difficult everyday situations, the cuddly toy serves as emotional support. It helps children fall asleep, accompanies them on trips or visits to the doctor, comforts them when they're ill and listens when they cry. Happy situations become even better with the furry partner at their side: "I'm fine. teddy is my friend. That's why I want him to be here too, so he can enjoy it."

In role-playing games, stuffed animals serve as willing play partners. For example, stressful visits to the dentist are replayed. In real life, the child had to endure this procedure passively. But now the roles are reversed. The cuddly toy takes on the passive part, while the child can slip into the active role of the doctor. In this way, the experience can be processed better.

Are you too old for stuffed animals?

As already mentioned, at some point we will reach an age when our cuddly friends are no longer needed. Keeping them for later can still be worthwhile! If you feel down and lonely, a fluffy button can provide closeness, warmth and security even in adulthood. Released endorphins brighten the mood. There are even studies that show that this can stabilise the immune system.

One reason for this is probably our sense of touch. It develops as early as the 6th week of pregnancy. That's probably why we particularly enjoy skin contact. The sense of smell also plays a major role. Smells are stored in the oldest regions of the brain. This is why a fragrance that we thought we had forgotten can awaken very intense memories, which in turn has a positive effect on our emotional well-being.

All of this knowledge has been used in the care sector for several years. Soft animal robots are used to care for people with dementia or severe disabilities. They can evoke positive reactions and allow communication without words. This is often referred to as opening the doors.