Top 5 recommended weighted plushies
Best weighted food plush: Funny Toast Pillow
Best weighted stuffed animal: Penguin Plush
Best weighted fruit animal plush: Strawberry Bear Plush
Best seal plush for helping anxiety: Chubby Blob Seal Pillow
Best weighted sloth plush for bed/sofa: Stuffed Sloth Plush Animal Pillow
According to a 2016 national parent surveyTrusted Source, 6.1 million children were diagnosed with ADHD during childhood. About 30% of these children also suffer from anxiety disorders. To treat their ADHD and anxiety disorders, about 75% of these people received behavioral therapy or medication.
While there is a lot of research on ADHD, one less documented treatment is the use of weighted stuffed animals to help relieve and cope with ADHD symptoms.
Weighted stuffed animals look like regular popular children's toys, but are about 2 to 5 pounds heavier. They have longer arms and weights to allow the child to hug or help with fidgeting functions. They are available in a variety of styles and sizes.
Can Weighted Stuffed Animals Help With Anxiety or ADHD?
Doctors and therapists specializing in ADHD and anxiety have been using weighted plush toys to help their clients for many years.
While more in-depth research is needed in this area, some research on weighted blankets suggests it offers a similar type of support. A small study of weighted blankets found that 63% of participants reported reduced anxiety after using them, and 78% found it to have a calming effect.
The general theory behind weighted blankets and weighted plush toys is that adding weight provides deep pressure touch, which is thought to calm the nervous system and promote the release of dopamine and serotonin. Using a weighted blanket or plush toy can even improve sleep, which can help reduce symptoms of anxiety and ADHD.
Weighted stuffed animals seem to have magical powers.
They can comfort our children from time to time, spark their imaginations when they feel lonely, and even become their inseparable friends. But a new generation of weighted plush toys has an even more amazing service for our kids: They can help ease their anxiety and ADHD. That seems to be the case with the new weighted anxiety dinosaurs trending on TikTok.
The now-popular dinosaur is part of the Arelux line of decorative pillows, but just as cute as your favorite toast plush. They all measure around 16 inches and have a sensory-friendly soft look.
"Weighted plush toys bring together several things that have a soothing effect on a child's mind and body,"
Pediatric psychologist Aliza Grodko, Psy.D. tells parents, "Heavy, comfortable objects put more pressure on the body, which can help the child feel calm and comfortable." In addition, Grodko explained that plush toys are generally Children provide comfort, companionship, and security. "Put those two elements together and you have a very powerful tool for improving your child's well-being."
Arelux shoppers certainly agree with Dr. Grodko's assessment.
One giant unicorn plush owner wrote that her weighted plush toy helps her sleep at night and calms her down when she's scared. Another reviewer liked the weighted and floppy combo, which helped ease their anxiety. On TikTok, the plush toys have a sizable following, garnering hundreds of thousands of views on the influencer's videos.
The downside to all the attention is that weighted anxiety dinosaurs are often hard to find in inventory. Fortunately, it's not the only weighted stuffed animal, so if you're struggling to get one for your little one, here are some weighted stuffed animals in stock to consider.