Image by WOKANDAPIX from Pixabay
Do you suffer from any type of mental health issue or condition?
Did you know that 40% of adults aged 18 to 39 struggle with anxiety?
Stress is also on the rise due to economic, political, employment and other issues.
One billion people are living with mental health disorders, according to new data released by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Personally, I do struggle with anxiety from time to time. I have since I was younger. My mom used to tell me to “stop swaying” often. It wasn’t until I was an adult that I realized that the swaying I did was a coping mechanism, especially in response to feelings of agitation, restlessness, or anxiety. The repetitive motion can help stimulate the vestibular system and provide a sense of calm.
Even now I notice I do things like rub my hands together, twirl my hair and rub the tops of my thighs (when sitting down) when I am anxious. It also causes me not to sleep at night.
Sometimes I think stress and anxiety are the reasons why I do a lot of weird and quirky things. I think they are all response mechanisms of some sort. Stress and anxiety do go hand-in-hand. Chronic stress can trigger anxiety, and anxiety can worsen stress, creating a difficult cycle.
Plushie Dreadfuls, the toy company that promotes emotional well-being, empathy, and acceptance, creates plushies that help people connect with struggles often left unseen. The company’s Mental Health Collection features cuddly toys, including Anxiety Rabbit, Workaholic Rabbit, Depression Rabbit, and many more.
Designs are voted on by the community to help customers identify with complex issues and emotions. These plushies help people feel that they are not alone and offer comfort through these physical representations of their experiences. Sometimes a small item is enough to help make life a little brighter.
I was aware of Plushie Dreadfuls years ago when I saw a few of their plush toys on social media. I thought they just made unique and creepy looking plush toys. I actually collect weird and creepy things, as well as plush toys, so their toys were “right up my alley,” so to speak. I wasn’t aware that they also sold plushies that represented a variety of conditions, including many mental health related ones.
Plushie Dreadfuls was kind enough to send me a few of their plush toys to review. I couldn’t wait for them to arrive. I was stalking my delivery man so I could get the package as soon as it was delivered.
Plushie Dreadfuls sent me the following plushies.
Plushie Dreadfuls Anxiety Rabbit
I love this plushie! It just like the worry dolls I had many years ago. When I was younger I was in Mexico with my family and picked up a set of worry dolls. The idea behind them is to tell the little dolls your worries and then tuck them under your pillow. In the morning your worries would have disappeared. The little doll would have taken your worry away. They were made to help children and adults deal with worries and anxiety. This adorable plushie does that too.
In the back of the SUPER SOFT comes with a zippered pocket in the back. There you will find two little worry bunnies. Simply tell your worries to the bunnies, put them back in the pouch, zipper it up and let the little bunnies do their “magic” by taking your worries away (ideally, of course).
They are so cute and equally as soft and furry as the bigger plush.
There is an alchemy symbol on it’s it’s front. I’m not 100% sure what it represents. You can look it up on the brand’s website.
The plushies all come with matching tote bags. They are nice size tote bags too.
Please excuse my photos. I don’t have an iron to smooth out the wrinkles.
The plushie arrives in the bag. You can use it for your plushie or anything else you want to tote around.
Plushie Dreadfuls Chronic Pain
I deal with chronic pain 24.7. I was happy to see their was a Plushie Dreadful to represent chronic pain too.
I have neuropathy in both of my feet. I can describe the pain this way – imagine a tractor trailer rolling on top of your feet and while the tire is still on your toes, someone sets them on fire. That’s pretty much how my feet feel all day and all night. I take medication but it doesn’t help that much. It’s also for the rest of my life as there is no cure for neuropathy. I just have to “grin and bare” it all the time. I literally have to smile and laugh through the pain.
Unless you suffer from neuropathy you’ll never know just how truly painful it is.
This also SUPER SOFT plushie also has an alchemy symbol on it. The stars are for people who suffer from migraines to represent flare ups. The spiked bracelets are for neuropathy and RSD. The heart stitch planet symbol on the chest is for the heart stress due to the constant pain. Lastly, the castle walls represent the walls we have to put up for those around us so they can’t expect people who suffer with chronic pain to be able to do things spontaneously (I know the feeling all too well, sadly).
Like all Plushie Dreadfuls, this one also came with a matching tote bag.
The tote bags are so sweet. They are on the smallish size, but they are still very functional and can carry many things.
Plushie Dreadfuls Restless Leg Syndrome
I do suffer from restless leg syndrome from time to time, but this plushie also represented my “living hell” of dealing with neuropathy 24/7. My feet won’t let me sleep many nights, even if I am extremely tired.
This plushie is holding a soft blanket with moons to represent wanting to sleep.
The cute little coffee cup represents what I need to do daily – stay caffeinated just to get through the day.
This plushie also has legs that crinkle to represent the restless leg syndrome. Seeing as how there are times my neuropathy can be felt in my legs, I felt that was fitting for me too.
Plushie Dreadfuls doesn’t only carry super soft and adorable plush toys, but they also have other products like stationary, stickers, books, rugs, games, prints and so much more.
I love that your voice matters with Plushie Dreadfuls. They listen to their customers and customers help to decide new products and designs. How cool is that?
Their plushie for Sleep Paralysis cracks me up. The creepy spider monster cracks me up.
The brand also takes suggestions. You can also see what new products were chosen and are in the process of being made available.
Not only does Plushie Dreadfuls make a wide variety of products, they also make a lot of charitable donations. You can check the website to see what charities received donations, and how much money Plushie Dreadfuls was able to donate. I love their transparency.
Plushie Dreadfuls make a great gift for anyone, young and old, female or male… anyone who needs to know they are not alone in how they are feeling, and who appreciate having a fuzzy friend to snuggle with.
Visit PlushieDreadfuls.com to check out all the brand has to offer. You can also check them out on social media.
Kimberly
*I received free product samples in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.
