“I cured my anxiety with a ‘hug’!”
Countless sleepless nights left Marina Khidekel exhausted…until she discovered the power of weighted pressure and created her own sleep-inducing stuffed animals. Here, she shares her story
F ‘‘or years. I would get into bed dreading the hours I’d spend lying awake before I could fall asleep. My mind would race with anxious thoughts, and the only thing that helped was my partner Mike’s arm on me.
“Sadly, ‘the arm’ wasn’t a sustainable solution, but as a wellness journalist, I knew about the science of calming weighted pressure. Weighted pressure —think the weight of an X-ray vest—stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, easing anxiety and promoting sleep.
“I tried a weighted blanket, but while effective, it was uncomfortably hot. I’d wake up overheated and my thoughts would spiral again. I know there has to be another option, I thought, researching other weighted items including vests, lap pads and stuffed animals. But most weren’t aesthetically pleasing, many were cheaply made and the weighted stuffed animals— which I wanted to love—had the weight concentrated in a lump in the middle, rather than throughout. I couldn’t find what I was looking for…so I decided to create it.
A snuggly remedy
“I tapped doctors, psychologists, occupational therapists and toy experts to perfect each detail of my new weighted plush, which I named Hugimals. We focused on a sweet expression, calming colors and, most importantly, a removable insert that distributes weight throughout its body for a comforting feeling that it’s hugging you back. On first use, my Hugimal prototype was the perfect solution to my sleep issues, helping me ease quickly into sleep, and I knew they could help others. Because I believed in this product and its mission, I ultimately decided to leave my job and start up my own company, Hugimals World (Hugimalsworld.com; @Hugimals on Instagram). When I launched Hugimals ($60) at a big toy trade show, I asked passersby to pick one up…and they didn’t want to put it down! I got orders from stores and gift shops around the country as other exhibitors cleared out my inventory.
“Unbelievably, Hugimals were recently nominated for the Toy of the Year Award in plush (the Oscars of Toys)! But for me, what’s most important is hearing from happy customers and working with hospitals and nonprofits to get them into the arms of those who need healing hugs most.
“Today, my own Hugimal is still indispensable to me. I get sound sleep, and my anxious thoughts are gone. I’m proud to have created a research-backed solution that’s helping so many at a time when we could all use a hug!”
“Weighted pressure has powerful psychological and physical effects”
— Michael Breus, PH.D.