Adults seriously underrate the benefits of stuffed animals. (I’m writing this with my Pound Puppy, whom I named Cinnamon, resting in my lap.)

My whole life, I’ve felt more comfortable with pillows. Vegging out on the couch, taking long road trips, or sleeping, I’d always be hugging a pillow.

Study abstracts I’ve read declare that looking at cute animals lowers blood pressure, heart rate, and overall anxiety levels, while improving focus and performance on assignments and tasks.

Children surround themselves with stuffed animals, and are so happy. Adults are like, “No, stuffed animals are childish, so I will not have them, and I will be miserable instead.”

Here’s my advice: Adults need to toss their throw pillows and their egos out the window, and adopt a new comfort system: stuffed animals.