From Punch the monkey to adulthood: Why comfort objects still matter

From Punch the monkey to adulthood: Why comfort objects still matter

The recent craze about Punch, an abandoned baby Japanese macaque at Ichikawa Zoo in Japan, has brought renewed attention to something many people intuitively understand: comfort objects matter.

After being rejected by his mother and struggling to integrate into his troop, zookeepers gave Punch a stuffed orangutan plushie. He began carrying it everywhere. The toy appeared to serve as a surrogate attachment figure, providing tactile comfort, security and reassurance, which may have been especially needed after he was bullied by older monkeys.

While the image of a baby macaque clinging to a plush toy is touching, LifeStance Health reports how the psychology behind it is deeply human. Comfort objects, also known as transitional objects, may play a significant role in emotional regulation and mental well-being. Items like stuffed animals, security blankets or small keepsakes may seem simple, but they can offer profound psychological benefits for some. To these individuals, comfort objects may provide stability, safety and grounding during stressful or uncertain times.

Although often associated with childhood, comfort objects can remain valuable across the lifespan. From easing separation anxiety in children to helping adults manage grief, trauma or emotional overwhelm, these objects continue to serve an important psychological function.

What are comfort objects?

Comfort objects are personal items that provide reassurance, emotional support and a sense of familiarity. They are often used during periods of change or stress.

Common examples include:

• Stuffed animals or plush toys (often referred to as anxiety stuffed animals)
• Security blankets or soft quilts
• Pillows such as body pillows or weighted pillows
• Clothing items like a favorite hoodie, sweatshirt or socks
• Jewelry or charms like lockets, rings or bracelets
• Small keepsakes such as stones, shells or trinkets
• Scented items like a loved one’s scarf or pillowcase

The specific item matters less than the emotional comfort it brings. Comfort objects often become symbols of connection and consistency.

The science behind comfort objects

The role of comfort objects is rooted in attachment theory, which explains how emotional bonds form and create feelings of trust and security. Research shows that for some individuals comfort objects can:

• Reduce anxiety
• Improve emotional regulation
• Enhance feelings of safety and security

In childhood, these objects can help children build independence while still feeling connected to their caregivers. In adulthood, they often serve as grounding tools during stressful times, helping people feel calmer and more emotionally balanced.

Comfort objects for children

Children naturally gravitate toward objects that offer a sense of familiarity and security, often helping them feel safe while exploring the world around them. Comfort objects for kids, like stuffed animals or security blankets, can help them navigate new experiences and regulate big emotions.

These comfort objects may also help:

• Reduce separation anxiety
• Promote better sleep
• Support emotional development
• Ease transitions like school or moving

Comfort objects for adults

Adults may also benefit from comfort items. While the comfort object may not always be obvious (like stuffed animals or blankets), they serve similar purposes. A favorite hoodie, a comforting photograph or even a childhood keepsake may help adults:

• Manage anxiety and stress
• Improve sleep and relaxation
• Stay grounded through mindfulness practices
• Navigate life changes like relocation or loss

Adults sleeping with comfort objects is increasingly acknowledged by some clinicians as a healthy coping behavior, especially during periods of grief, trauma, or emotional upheaval.

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Comfort objects and anxiety relief

Anxiety comfort objects can be powerful tools for calming the nervous system and providing immediate stress relief. Whether it’s an anxiety stuffed animal, a familiar scent or a small tactile object, these comfort items may:

• Trigger soothing, familiar memories
• Provide a sense of grounding and control
• Reduce physical symptoms of anxiety (e.g., rapid heartbeat or tension)

Stuffed animals for anxiety and other sensory-rich items are often used during mindfulness or relaxation practices.

Use of comfort objects in therapy

Comfort objects can be effective tools in therapy, supporting emotional expression and grounding. Therapists may encourage clients to bring comfort items to sessions to help enhance emotional safety and trust.

How comfort objects often work in therapy:

• Provide sensory grounding: Holding or interacting with a comfort object, like a fuzzy blanket or a stress ball, may provide consistent tactile or sensory input that can help calm the nervous system and offset overwhelming stimuli.
• Used in ABA therapy: Comfort objects are frequently incorporated into applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy for children with autism. They help manage transitions, support emotional regulation and increase engagement in structured therapeutic activities by offering familiarity and consistent emotional support.
• Reduce anxiety and stress: The act of holding or touching a comfort object can reduce the levels of stress hormones, helping promote feelings of relaxation and security.
• Act as an emotional anchor: These objects serve as a stable and reliable source of comfort, helping individuals regulate their emotions and maintain a sense of consistency, especially during times of change or distress.
• Facilitate self-soothing: Comfort objects help empower individuals, particularly children with autism, to independently manage their feelings by providing a tool for self-soothing in moments of anxiety or sadness.
• Offer a springboard for discussion: In a therapeutic context, comfort objects can help initiate helpful conversations by making individuals feel safer, which can lead to a tangible starting point for discussing difficult emotions or experiences.
• Connect to memories and identity: Many comfort objects are tied to meaningful memories, helping provide a symbolic connection to past experiences of feeling safe or loved.

Autism and comfort objects

For many individuals with autism, comfort objects play an essential role in managing anxiety, sensory processing challenges and emotional regulation. These items often provide consistent, reliable sensory input in a world that can feel overwhelming and unpredictable.

Attachment to objects in autism is often long-lasting and deeply meaningful. While many neurotypical children outgrow their comfort items, children with autism may continue to rely on them into adolescence and adulthood. These items are not signs of immaturity, but effective coping tools. Whether it’s a specific toy, textured item or familiar piece of clothing, the object can provide emotional security and stability. In some cases, it may even support social engagement by acting as a bridge for interaction.

Comfort objects can help reduce sensory overload, promote emotional self-regulation and serve as non-verbal communication tools. For example, a child may use their comfort item to signal they are overwhelmed or in need of support. These objects also foster connection by serving as conversation starters, helping children engage with peers in social settings.

Caregivers can support healthy attachment by encouraging social interaction with comfort objects present, promoting emotional awareness and gradually introducing alternative coping strategies. Addressing stigma and allowing space for comfort items, regardless of age, helps foster understanding, dignity and emotional growth.

Borderline personality disorder and transitional objects

For individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD), comfort objects may offer stability during emotionally intense or unstable moments. People with BPD often struggle with self-soothing, fear of abandonment and emotional regulation.

Why comfort objects are used in BPD treatment:

• Coping with abandonment: Individuals with BPD frequently experience intense anxiety around being left or rejected. Comfort objects may provide a consistent, reliable presence that can ease these fears.
• Emotional self-regulation: BPD is often marked by difficulty in calming down and managing overwhelming feelings. Holding or interacting with a comfort object can help restore emotional balance.
• Addressing attachment trauma: Many people with BPD have experienced inconsistent or neglectful caregiving in early life. Comfort objects can symbolically fill the gap, helping offer a sense of emotional security and connection.

These objects are often included in personalized “self-soothing toolkits,” helping individuals identify which items are most grounding for them. Some people may carry their object with them throughout the day, while others use it in private during times of distress, helping create a tangible connection to emotional safety. The ability to customize this toolkit also encourages empowerment, autonomy and emotional resilience.

Conclusion: Embracing comfort objects for emotional support

Comfort objects can be meaningful tools that may support emotional regulation and self-care. Their potential benefits extend across age groups and mental health conditions, helping offer comfort and consistency.

Whether you’re a parent supporting your child, an adult managing anxiety or someone exploring emotional healing through therapy, embracing comfort objects may be a meaningful and effective part of your mental wellness journey.

This story was published by LifeStance Health and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.