5 Best Weighted Stuffed Animals for 2022

[ad_1]

According to a 2016 national parent survey, 6.1 million children have been diagnosed with ADHD at some point in their lives. Of these children, approximately 3 in 10 also experienced anxiety. To help with their ADHD and anxiety, approximately 3 in 4 of these individuals received behavioral therapy or medication.

While there’s lots of research on ADHD, one type of treatment that’s less well-documented is the number of individuals with ADHD that use weighted stuffed animals to help alleviate and cope with symptoms.

Weighted stuffed animals generally look like the popular children’s toy, but tip the scales at somewhere between 2 and 5 pounds. They may have longer arms for hugging or include features to aid with fidgeting. They’re available in a wide range of styles and sizes.

Doctors and therapists specializing in grief and loss have been using weighted teddy bears for years to help their clients.

While more research into this area is needed, there has been a little research done into weighted blankets, which offer a similar type of support. One small study on weighted blankets found that 63 percent of participants reported lower anxiety after using it and 78 percent found it to have a calming effect.

The general theory behind weighted blankets and stuffed animals is that added weight can offer deep pressure touch, which is thought to calm the nervous system and trigger the release of dopamine and serotonin. Using a weighted blanket or stuffed animal may also improve sleep, which can help reduce symptoms of anxiety and ADHD.

Adults might be hesitant to appear in public with a large stuffed animal, but their cute appearances make these nonthreatening for young children. They also typically come in a variety of shapes and colors that appeal to children’s unique interests.

When it came to choosing which products to include, we looked at a variety of factors like:

  • Size. Some individuals love a larger animal they can really wrap their arms around while others prefer something a little smaller and more discrete, so we tried to include a variety of size options.
  • Material. Because this stuffed animal is going to get plenty of use, those that can be easily washed and dried stood out.
  • Price. We know that finances can vary, so we tried to include a range of options for diverse budgets.
  • Customer reviews. There’s nothing like an actual user to let you know how a product feels and holds up after continual use. We highly valued this information, and know it matters to you.

Here are some of the best weighted stuffed animals you can buy online.

Best weighted neck wrap

Intelex Warmies Animal Wrap

Craving a neck hug? The curve of this stuffed animal wrap allows it to lay smoothly across the neck. (It can also double as a travel pillow!)

It’s filled with all-natural grain and dried French lavender to provide a soothing scent. Fully microwavable, it can be used for hot and cold therapy. As an added bonus, this therapeutic wrap is available in a variety of animal shapes and meets U.S. safety standards for all ages.

Best warming lap pad

Sensory4U Panda Bear

This lap pad designed to look like a panda bear stretches 17 x 22 inches. It has a 4-pound removable glass bead-filled inner pad that can be removed and heated in the microwave to create a warm, soothing pad.

One thing to keep in mind is that it is recommended to hand wash the exterior, and with white fabric it can quickly become dirty.

Best lightweight Teddy Bear

Wild Baby Weighted Plush Pal

This 10-inch stuffed animal weighs in at less than 1 pound making it perfect for young children. It’s also ideal for travel.

Each animal is filled with natural clay beads and dried lavender to offer a relaxing smell. It can be fully heated in the microwave, and the removable therapy pack can be used as heating pad or frozen for cold therapy.

As an added bonus, the company offers free returns within 30 days.

Best for multiple senses and aromatherapy

Intelex Warmies Marshmallow Bear

This teddy bear offers a lavender scent — lavender has been associated with relaxation. This plushie weighs just under 2 pounds and is filled with grain and dried lavender.

The entire toy is microwavable for those who prefer a warmer touch. It can also be placed in the freezer for using with bumps or bruises.

Meeting the U.S. safety standards for all ages, the company makes a variety of different animals, so you can choose one that fits your personality.

Best weighted lap pad

Huggaroo Puppy

  • Price: $$$
  • Weight: 3.6 pounds

This lap pad comes designed as either a puppy or a lamb. Made of 100 percent polyester fabric, the pad is filled with hypoallergenic, odorless, food-grade, polypropylene (plastic) pellets.

The pad’s soft, plush fabric can be stroked for grounding and is soft enough to sleep with. While not so large to make travel impossible, this is a larger weighted animal.

Stretching 29 x 8 inches, both the outer cover and inner weighted insert are washable. It weighs in at 3.6 pounds.

Weighted stuffed animals not for you? Like your stuffed animal, but want to try other things, too?

  • Sniff some lavender. Whether you rub on some lavender scented lotion, take a lavender scented bath, or use a diffuser with essential oil, the smell of lavender can help to lower your blood pressure.
  • Take time to meditate or journal. Even young children can benefit from mindfulness and breathing exercises.
  • Talk to friends. There’s nothing like a good heart-to-heart. You may even want to join a class or group related to one of your interests to connect with some new people.
  • Talk with professional counselors. Sometimes we need the ear and advice of a person trained with approaches and ideas to help us sort through and manage our needs. Whether it’s a specific concern, short-term goal, or you don’t know where you’d start or what to talk about, there are different ways to access a therapist to talk to.

Even talking with your general physician or family doctor, who you’d see for physical concerns, can be a great thing. They may suggest support groups, talk therapy, or medication.

Stuffed animals aren’t just for small children. They can be useful for calming nerves, grounding, and meeting your hug needs, especially in times when you may be more isolated, and whether or not you experience ADHD.

Finding the perfect weighted stuffed animal can take a bit, but there are plenty of options to choose from. If you’re struggling with a place to start, you might consider taking a closer look at a few of the ones on our list!


Catherine Crider, CD/PCD(DONA), CLEC, CBE, JD, MEd, has worked with children for the past decade as a trained elementary and special education teacher, and finds special joy in supporting blossoming families and their infants. She enjoys educating new parents and parents-to-be about their different options as well as the current best practices in baby care. Catherine writes for various websites and teaches full-spectrum childbirth and postpartum education in several locations in California’s North Bay Area and Peninsula.

[ad_2]

Source link

New World Player Shares Great Gold-Efficient Tip While Leveling

[ad_1]

New World can be quite demanding in terms of Gold while leveling, but a player shares a trick that might save others’ coins in the long run.

new world gold-efficient trick purchase new gear no repair cheaper trading posts repair too expensive leveling

Amazon Game Studios’ New World is fast approaching its seventh week since the official release last September, and since then, many things have changed for the MMO. One of the most noticeable changes is that its player count decreased a lot due to a mix of reasons that range from game-breaking glitches like the Gold and material duping bug to the fact that some players feel like the game is repetitive in terms of enemy and quest variety. The consequence of this is that concurrent Steam users went down to around 200,000, a drastic drop from the all-time peak of over 900,000 just a few weeks ago.

However, it’s not all bad. Amazon Game Studios is really trying its best to make the game a safer and better place for everyone, starting with bans being handed out to cheaters and exploiters, including streamers caught red-handed. Furthermore, there are plans to link all trading posts in New World in order to improve the game’s economy and reduce the travel taxes as a result, due to players not having to constantly move between settlements. Some improvements are also coming to the new player experience, which is great because it means that now is a good time to pick New World up or return to the game and make a new character.

RELATED: New World Players Share What Makes Them Mad in the Game

Because leveling in New World is not always very easy due to several mechanics not being fully explained and the game being quite rich in terms of things to discover, a Reddit user by the name of Rheality_ shared a very useful tip for players making new characters. One of the most frustrating things in New World for new players is that dying damages all the gear worn by the character as well as that in the bag, and repairing some severely damaged pieces can be quite expensive. That’s why purchasing new equipment from the posts can be a much better idea.

In fact, some low-level items in New World can be pretty cheap when sold by other players at the trading posts, and the reason is that the market is a bit inflated at the moment. As such, sometimes players will find that repairing a weapon or a piece of armor might cost 20 to 50 Gold, whereas purchasing a better item might be cheaper and also be a great upgrade to the previous one.

The market is inflated because New World is still suffering from the Gold and material duping glitch, but the silver lining of this is that some items can sell for very low prices. That’s why checking trading posts out before venturing out into the wilds is always a good idea.

New World is available now on PC.

MORE: The State of New World Post-Launch

new world tower
New World Fan Compiles Paper Map of Aeternum

A fan of the upcoming MMO New World carefully pieces together the game’s official interactive map to create a single painterly print.

Read Next


About The Author

[ad_2]

Source link

Women’s Basketball To Tip Off The Season With An Exhibition Game Against Bentley

[ad_1]

FRIARS TIP OFF AGAINST BENTLEY IN EXHIBITION PLAY… The Providence College women’s basketball team will host NCAA Division II Bentley in an exhibition game on Thursday, Nov. 4. The game will be played at Alumni Hall/Mullaney Gymnasium in Providence, R.I. and is scheduled to tip-off at 7:00 p.m.

HISTORY… Providence and Bentley played one another seven times during the infancy of the Friars’ women’s basketball program. As regional competitors, the two teams first met during the 1975-76 campaign and the series ended at the conclusion of the 1981-82 season. 

SEASON OPENER VS. YALE… The Friars will officially open the season on Tuesday, Nov. 9 against Yale at Alumni Hall in Providence, R.I. Tip-off is set for 4:00 p.m. The two teams last met during the 2019-20 campaign under a unique set of circumstances. The Friars traveled to New Haven, Conn. on Nov. 5, 2019 and led 42-33 at the half, but the remainder of the game was suspended due to a scoreboard malfunction. The game was eventually completed on Dec. 3 and the Bulldogs managed to pull out an 82-79 victory. Mary Baskerville paced the Friars with 19 points and nine rebounds. Ellen Andrews (23) and Roxy Barahman (19) combined to score 42 points to lead Yale. 

HOME-SWEET-HOME… The Friars will play 13 of their first 17 games at home in Alumni Hall/Mullaney Gymnasium in Providence, R.I. Through the first two months of the season, the Friars leave the city of Providence just twice. On Nov. 13, the Friars travel to Orono, Maine to face the Black Bears. On Dec. 31, Providence will travel to Cincinnati, Ohio to take on Xavier (and remain on the road to face Butler on Jan. 2). Providence’s only other road game during the months of November and December will be played at Brown University, which is located in Providence, R.I.

FRIARS SET TO MAKE THEIR RETURN TO THE DUNKIN’ DONUTS CENTER… The Friars will host a game at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center for the first time since 2010 when they welcome Connecticut on Sunday, Jan. 30. Tip-off is set for 11:00 a.m. It marks the first time Providence has played a game at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center since Feb. 6, 2010 against West Virginia.

NEW LOOK FRIARS… The Friars welcome eight new faces to the program this season, including two transfers and six freshmen. Andreana Wrister is a graduate transfer, who played four seasons at Tennessee State. Janai Crooms, a native of Cranston, R.I., has played three seasons of NCAA Division I basketball in the Big Ten at Ohio State and Michigan State. Both Wrister and Crooms are guards. Four more guards will join the rotation as freshmen in Kylee Sheppard, Meghan Huerter, Nariah Scott and Audrey Koch. Olivia Olsen and Emily Archibald join the frontcourt for their rookie seasons in the college ranks.

PROVIDENCE PICKED TO FINISH EIGHTH IN BIG EAST PRESEASON COACHES’ POLL… The Friars were picked to finish eighth in the 2021-22 BIG EAST Preseason Coaches’ Poll, which was released at the league’s annual media day at MSG in New York City. The Friars recorded 32 points in the poll and sit above Georgetown (27), Xavier (18) and Butler (17). Connecticut was a unanimous selection to win the league for a second-straight season.

MARY BASKERVILLE NAMED TO ALL-BIG EAST SECOND TEAM AT THE CONCLUSION OF 2020-21 SEASON… Last season, Mary Baskerville led Providence College in scoring (12.7 ppg), rebounding (6.5 rpg), blocked shots (1.8 bpg), steals (1.4 spg) and field-goal percentage (.538, 112-208). For her efforts, she was named to the All-BIG EAST Second Team. It marked her first postseason honor since earning BIG EAST Freshman of the Year and BIG EAST All-Freshman Team accolades in 2019. 

ALYSSA GEARY LOOKS TO PICK UP WHERE SHE LEFT OFF… Senior Alyssa Geary returns for her senior year having shown steady progress in her game each of the previous three seasons. Last year, she started all 21 games ranked second among her teammates in (11.4 ppg) and blocked shots (1.3 bpg) and third in rebounding (4.8 rpg) and assists (2.4 apg). Geary recorded a team-best 15 double-digit scoring games, including six-straight to finish the season. She led the Friars in scoring (14.5 ppg), rebounding (6.5 rpg) and blocked shots (2.0 bpg) during the BIG EAST Tournament, including 19 points and nine rebounds in the Friars’ First Round victory over Butler (Mar. 3). 

FRIARS IN THE POSTSEASON… The Friars’ last appeared in the postseason during the 2018-19 campaign, when their current senior class came on to the scene as freshmen. Providence’s 2019 WNIT selection marked the program’s 15th post-season appearance overall and first since 2010. In 2019-20, NCAA and WNIT Championships were canceled to the Covid-19 pandemic, and Friars did not qualify for postseason during the abbreviated 2020-21 campaign.  Complete post-season breakdown below (records in parentheses).

2018-19 WNIT Round of 16 – (2-1)

2009-10 WNIT Quarterfinal Round (3-1)

1991-92 NCAA Tournament First Round (0-1)

1990-91 NCAA Tournament Second Round (1-1)

1989-90 NCAA Tournament East Regional (1-1)

1988-89 NCAA Tournament First Round (0-1)

1986-87 National Women’s Invitational Tournament (1-2)

1985-86 NCAA Tournament First Round (0-1)

1981-82 EAIAW Regional Tournament (0-1)

1980-81 EAIAW Regional Tournament (0-1)

1979-80 EAIAW National Tournament (3-1)

1978-79 EAIAW Regional Tournament (0-1)

1977-78 EAIAW Regional Tournament (1-1)

1976-77 EAIAW Regional Tournament (2-2)

1975-76 EAIAW Regional Tournament (1-2)

WHAT’S NEXT… The Friars will open the 2021-22 regular-season schedule against Ivy League foe Yale on Tuesday, Nov. 9. The game will be played at Alumni Hall/Mullaney Gymnasium in Providence, R.I. Tip-off is set for 4:00 p.m.

[ad_2]

Source link