Walking through the aisles of Target, you might have come across a cute looking dinosaur, unicorn, or frog stuffed animal. When you pick it up, you realize it is heavier than you thought. This is not because you need to hit the gym more, but because many stuffed animals in 2025 are containing extra weight. Weighted stuffed animals are becoming increasingly popular, due to their therapeutic benefits.

These plushies are not your regular stuffed animals. Weighted stuffed animals, also known as Warmies, are exactly what they sound like–weighted stuffed animals. These animals provide one to five pounds of weighted support, by being packed with clay or plastic beads, cotton, wheat filling, and polyfill stuffing. Due to the extra pressure, weighted stuffed animals provide therapeutic benefits, such as anxiety, stress, and insomnia relief. Many Warmies also have the added naturally treated flaxseed and dried french lavender, as well as making them microwave safe, giving the user the best experience possible.

Many high schoolers and athletes are turning to weighted stuffed animals because of their deep pressure simulation. This simulation releases relaxing chemicals, such as serotonin when holding a firm, weighted small pet. Many high school athletes, such as Savannah Denker, a junior and a part of the Lincoln East swimming and diving team, use weighted stuffed animals to reduce nervousness before her races.

“I take my weighted stuffed animal to every meet,” Denker said. “It definitely takes away stress before my races. I always swim better when I bring my weighted stuffed animal.”

Warmies provide their own special benefits of helping reduce muscle pain due to their ability to be warmed up. When the animal is heated up, the heat soothes and relaxes sore and tight muscles. Neveah Herzberg, a customer of the Warmie brand, is very satisfied with the heating element of the stuffed animal.

“It only takes 30 seconds to heat up my weighted stuffed animal,” Herzberg said. “It stays warm for quite a while, and it is even more comforting [when] heated up. It definitely helps me relax more.”

Personally, I love my weighted stuffed animal for its improved sleep benefits. The activity of putting force onto your body is called proprioceptive input, which will happen during the use of the weighted stuffed animal. The stuffed animal regulates your proprioceptive input, thus helping you fall asleep faster. The weight can also settle your breathing and lower your heart rate, promoting relaxation. As someone who struggles to fall asleep from time to time, I have found it easier to fall asleep when I am using my weighted stuffed animal.

Life can get pretty stressful at times, so having a weighted stuffed animal to fall onto in times of trouble is never a bad idea. Starting at only 20 dollars, with an appealing look and therapeutic benefits, there is no reason not to run to your local Target.