[Walking Man]

A while back I posted that a therapist had suggested I get a teddy bear because of my need for physical affection. I asked whether this was appropriate for grown men. Almost everyone thought it was perfectly ok. I never got one. But, I've been depressed and lonely, so I started cuddling with my pillow. I'm away from home right now, and they have this pillow here that is perfect for cuddling. I always sleep better when I'm here, but I fell asleep cuddling it last night, and I felt better this morning than for as long as I can remember. I was almost relaxed. Most nights for me are bad, and getting up is worse.

For the most part my parents were good parents, but when I was growing up I got very little to no physical affection. I can't ever remember cuddling or being held by either of my parents. I was also emotionally neglected. Not a lot of warm and fuzzies. I just realized this last year, and think this is the cause of some life long problems.

When I was seeing the therapist I tried cuddling a little stuffed dog I had from when I was a baby, it was almost traumatic. At first it was physically painful (like in my chest). I got really emotional and cried. I couldn't even lay still.

More recently the same thing happened with my pillow, but I didn't get as upset. I still find it emotional at first, but I am sticking with it and it's becoming more comforting. I think I'm learning how to just snuggle up with something and enjoy the sensation for what it is.

It seems to be helping. I've been getting very depressed and lonely, you know with the feeling you get in your chest. After I go and cuddle with my pillow for a while I seem to feel a little bit better. Sometimes it also seems to help me get my emotions out.

[musinglizzy]

I have a hugging pillow. I fall asleep with my arms around it every night. If I happen to be somewhere where there isn't an extra pillow, I'll ball up a sweatshirt or something. I'm almost 41 years old. Been like this my whole life!

[JustShakey]

I snuggle with a blankie. Sometimes I'll borrow one of my kids' stuffed animals. It just feels good to hold onto something soft and warm...

[joshuas-mommy]

They make body pillows that are very cuddly.

[Walking Man]

Originally Posted by joshuas-mommy

They make body pillows that are very cuddly.

I might get one.

[stopdog]

I am not much of a snuggler with people, pets or pillows

[LonesomeTonight]

Recently, while going through some rough times emotionally, I'll sometimes snuggle with a stuffed elephant of my daughter's (she never plays with it). It's very soft and seems to be just the right size for snuggling. I've been dealing with some stuff from childhood in therapy, so it kind of makes sense that I'm going to a stuffed animal for comfort like I did then (only then it was a bear). I'm 38, by the way.

I got a teddy bear about a year ago something like that and I've been sleeping with it every single night since then. I'm 52. I even take it on vacations with me. I call it my "soul-care bear". I talk to it sometimes when I'm falling asleep at night.

[blue_eyed_panda]

I lost a cream colored rabbit when I was little. I've always regretted losing that bunny. So I decided to make my self a bunny. I fall asleep and wake up cuddling this bunny. I tell her my problems and fears.

I'm 25 and it's appropriate. I make stuffed animals for friends and family that are going through rough times.

[catnip123]

I have a weighted blanket that has greatly improved my sleep. I have sensory integration issues and an occupational therapist recommended the blanket. It weighs 25 pounds and I love it. The brand is sensacalm.
I also gave a stuffed Serta sheep that I hug when I sleep. I'm a 53 year old woman

[iheartjacques]

I've been hugging my doona, sheets, pillows, etc since I can remember. I don't luke touching people or them touching me when I'm asleep though.

[Myrto]

I have four (yes FOUR) cuddle toys in my bed: one black panther, one elephant, one bear and one seal. And I am 28.
It's comforting and it hurts no one.

Originally Posted by stopdog

I am not much of a snuggler with people, pets or pillows

This is shocking news.

[gayleggg]

Funny thing is that I tend to cuddle my iPad. It's sick I know but it makes me feel closer to people. I only do it when I'm on the couch not when I go to bed. My dogs keep me grounded then.

Best wishes, Gayle
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Not really, but I do like to be covered all the way to my neck which is a problem in the hot, Texas summers. I do NOT like to be touched when I'm sleeping; thus, we have a king-sized bed.

[Coco3]

Originally Posted by Walking Man

It seems to be helping. I've been getting very depressed and lonely, you know with the feeling you get in your chest. After I go and cuddle with my pillow for a while I seem to feel a little bit better. Sometimes it also seems to help me get my emotions out.

I'm happy for you that you've found this way to comfort yourself.

When I was in therapy, I started cuddling a stuffed animal my husband once gave to me when we were dating. It gave me comfort and I could fall asleep easier. Therapy is over, but the stuffed animal still lies besides my pillow. I'm almost 40.

[divine1966]

I love to cuddle but with people, not objects. I do find some objects comforting though, I always carry a little toy my daughter gave me that suppose to be protecting me. It is in my wallet everywhere I go. I just look at it don't cuddle it is tiny and plastic. But it is comforting. My daughter slept with two stuffed animals for a long time she took them to college and slept with them there. She only recently stopped ( I think...maybe she still does just doesn't say) She is 27. She does have a real cat now and a husband. They both cuddle with the cat.

I think find comfort in objects or pets or people is perfectly fine if it works. Why not?

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[Coco3]

Tears had been stuck for days, again. Tonight I could finally cry a little but I still held back. Then I thought of this topic and reached for the nearest pillow. The second I cuddled it, it went from drizzle to heavy weather.

I knew the comfort of a stuffed animal (as posted above), but now I know the power of a pillow cuddle.

[Walking Man]

Originally Posted by Coco3

Tears had been stuck for days, again. Tonight I could finally cry a little but I still held back. Then I thought of this topic and reached for the nearest pillow. The second I cuddled it, it went from drizzle to heavy weather.

I knew the comfort of a stuffed animal (as posted above), but now I know the power of a pillow cuddle.

(((((Coco3)))))

[Walking Man]

Originally Posted by catnip123

I have a weighted blanket that has greatly improved my sleep. I have sensory integration issues and an occupational therapist recommended the blanket. It weighs 25 pounds and I love it. The brand is sensacalm.
I also gave a stuffed Serta sheep that I hug when I sleep. I'm a 53 year old woman

I didn't know about weighted blankets, but I totally get it. I like to sleep in a cold room with heavy quilts. It's cozy, and the quilts remind me of happy things from my childhood, like staying at my great grandparents farm house.

[StormCat42]

I read and article once that gave the results of a study showing that adults slept better when they cuddled with a stuffed animal or pillow… I always knew that I enjoy cuddling something but felt as an adult it was somehow wrong… At 47 I know that I sleep better when I am cuddling a pillow, and I'm not ashamed to do so… I wish I could find something like a large teddy bear but until I do my pillow will have to do...

[ScarletPimpernel]

I cuddle too. I'm 32. I cuddle with my pillow, stuffed animals, big down comforter, blankets... I also have 3 dogs and a fiance to cuddle with though. I love physical affection, but only from a few people. Some I only tolerate. So cuddling with soft objects works great for me

[LonesomeTonight]

Originally Posted by lolagrace

Not really, but I do like to be covered all the way to my neck which is a problem in the hot, Texas summers. I do NOT like to be touched when I'm sleeping; thus, we have a king-sized bed.

I also need to have covers completely on me! Even if it's really hot, I need a sheet or something.

[divine1966]

I definitely need a blanket on me or I won't sleep

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