I just learned that weighted plushies exist.
I've tried weighted blankets for my anxiety, but they're too hot and suffocating for me and my post-menopausal hot flashes. (That, and August in California is like an oven. "But it's a dry heat," my ass.)
Not only am I anxious and depressed, but I am also touch-starved; my monster doesn't hug. Neither does my IdiotBro (before I went NC). I've gone months without touching or hugging someone.
It's also been over six years since my sweet tortie girl, KDP (Kitty Diva Princess), went over the Rainbow Bridge, and I miss her desperately. She used to cuddle under the covers with me at night, and I long for that familiar weight of a cat curled either behind my knees, or against my side.
Today, as I was ruminating on this, the thought popped into my head that maybe a large plushie/stuffed animal would help with both of these problems. I started doing research online…and down the rabbit hole I went.
I discovered that there are weighted plushies of varying sizes for both children and adults.
I found this site that compares various brands and types of weighted plushies:
https://lifeskillsadvocate.com/blog/weighted-stuffed-animals-for-anxiety/
As soon as I saw this plushie cat on their list, I knew I'd found what I was looking for:
(There's another one from this brand that looks like a Scottish Highland cow.)
This particular weighted plushie has both cooling and heating pack inserts; I'm looking forward to trying out the cooling insert this summer. With both inserts, it weighs five pounds, the size of a small cat. Without the inserts, it weighs about two pounds.
This plushie is set to arrive on Tuesday, and I'll update you as soon as I'm able to try it out.
I'm really looking forward to having something soft to cuddle.
Until next time,
Liz