Teddy Day is often wrapped in pink or red ribbons, heart emojis, and is perceived by many as a day to convey romantic feelings to their partner during the week leading to Valentine's Day. While gifting a teddy bear to a partner has become a popular expression of love, the presence of this soft toy goes far beyond romance.
For many adults, teddy bears serve as powerful comfort objects, offering a sense of reassurance, a feeling of security, and stress relief, regardless of their relationship status.
Research has also pointed out evidence that suggests the role of teddy bears is not just restricted to a love affair. According to experts based in Singapore, touching a teddy bear helps in mitigating the negative effects of social exclusion in people to increase prosocial behaviour.
Experts examined how touching an inanimate object like a teddy bear might impact the effect of social exclusion on prosocial behavior. It was found that socially excluded individuals who touched a teddy bear acted more prosocially as compared to socially excluded individuals who just viewed the teddy bear from a distance. In another study, positive emotion was found to mediate the relationship between touch and prosocial behavior. Researchers concluded that the results suggest a possible means to attenuate the unpleasant effects of social exclusion.
Adult life comes with its own pressures—work stress, loneliness, grief, burnout, and anxiety. A teddy bear, with its soft texture and familiar presence, can activate calming responses in the brain.
Another study observed how therapeutic play with a teddy bear was effective in lowering pain and anxiety levels of children, and the anxiety levels of mothers during peripheral intravenous catheterisation.
On Teddy Day, this broader meaning deserves recognition. A teddy bear can represent self-care, emotional resilience, healing, and the importance of comfort in everyday life.
Gifting a teddy to a friend, sibling, or even to yourself can be a gentle reminder that seeking comfort is not weakness, it is human.
