Dolls as stress relief?

[Yanagi-sen]

Dollies are a wonderful distraction. As is sewing for them. It's getting to the point that I don't know what to do with myself if I'm just sitting in front of the TV... isn't there something I need to be sewing? ^_~ They are also good listeners (as least mine are... not so sure about Omi) and cuddlers. Not just for me, I've had students come in and head right for a doll to cuddle. They are great therapy! ^_______^

[NaomiGnosis]

After a stressful day at work, just seeing them waiting on the shelf as I walk in the door helps to melt away some of the anxiety and just makes me feel more a peace.

~Gnosis~

[famedglory]

There was a while where I had too many doll projects at once and that became an extra source of stress, but I can't tell you how helpful they've been to me. Before I graduated, anytime I had to pull on all nighter, Taavi was right beside me as moral support and now Kellan's been coming along on all of the wedding errands and phone calls that I find stressful.

[Dreamy Doll]

-:/-

[Nella]

When I get stressed out at home, I just pick up Fleur and hold her. She's such a source of joy for me that she instantly helps me focus on something positive. If I'm worried, I sit her or Alwyn on my bed and talk out loud. I can just imagine them, or their characters rather, reassuring me. After I failed my road test yet again, I held Dru, which chered me up. Then I looked at her and went: "Why I am holding you? You would be the less reassuring." I started laughing at the mental image of how she would be harsh unless I started crying at which point she'd backpedal and start freaking out.

If I can stressed out or anxious while I'm out and about, I actually carry an 18mm glass doll eye with me and rub it. It's my version of a worry stone.

[Lif]

Whenever I was REALLY utterly stressed out in the past (and lord knows I have been!) I painted. And wouldn't leave it alone till I was all done. When you look at the paintings that where done in the most stressfull periods in my life you can see that I just focused SO HARD on them just to block everything else because these are my best pieces (sorry can't give any examples right now as I lost track of the CD in a livingroom change).
1,5 years ago I felt I REALLY needed something all to myself... I had stopped painting for unknown reasons and felt like I needed something no one else was alowed to tough. Not my husband, not my kids. Something entirely for me...not like painting as my oldest does a bit of that himself and my father in law does too... something no one else was medling with or had something to do with.
It was in autumn and I always am very on edge in those months so was really stressy and tens. And all of a sudden "doll" popped up in my head. I used to have them (well I still have those somewhere in the attick) but when I got kids I stopped collecting and well every hobby in general really. Babies tend to take up every bit of time you have especially when your husband tends to not do anything with them (my ex).( 18 years ago I had moved and they are still in the box I moved them in ) And as my second announced itself when my first son turned one (one day prior to his birthday I found out I was pregnant again) kids and housekeeping took up all my time. Slowly I started painting again tho but never took up collecting/making dolls again.
I had seen BJD's and thought I might have to look into those again... maybe now they had some less expensive ones and they might be easier to buy (had seen them 10 years ago but could not afford nore figure out how to buy them then)
Well to cut a long story short. I bought Molly as a stress relief! Its not coincidence AT ALL she works that way. I know myself and I knew this would work. And it does! But as with painting sometimes it works a bit to well...as when I am realy down in the dumps I can block everything while being in the room with my family and stare at dollies on my screen/ read about them.. Which is not a good thing with kids around...luckely I catch myself doing it these days and can stop myself where I was unable to do so with my drawings and paintings. I couldn't leave them alone till they were finished. And with my dolls there comes another old hobby of mine. Making clothes for them and by that crochetting and knitting. I have even taken up knitting for my daughter now. Which also calms me without having my face turned to a computer or hands covered in paint/pastels/chalk.
AND I can work on them whenever I want to without having to make a work space and take out paints/brushes/etc.

I think having another kid (shes 4 now), a girl this time, triggered the whole dollie thing again as I was now buying dolls for her and secretly wanting them for myself XD
And when I am very stressed out I tend to grab one or both and fidle/play/sew or just take cute pictures.
I might want to try out having one near me when I need to make a phone call...I hate making them. Maybe having a doll close helps me too?

[SoapBubbles]

Oh yes, my dolls help me with stress relief. If I ever have a bad day, I just take them down from their honorary shelf and give them a good hug. They don't solve my problems, but they definitely cheer me up enough to try to go deal with them.

[Stormlight]

When I'm having a stressful night at work (such as last night), I think about my dolls, their characters and stories I create for them. It helps me focus and actually helps to calm me down. Last night, thinking I had another doll on the way (a littlefee body that should be arriving today!), it cheered me up even though I was working a fast table and it was hard to keep up (I'm a production worker and an assembly belt is one of the many stations I work at).

Then, of course, coming home and just looking at my gorgeous dolls makes me feel better, too.

If nothing else, they're a great reminder as to why I KEEP this job! I'd probably have given up and quit years ago if not for my expensive addiction.

[richila]

Making clothes for them and by that crochetting and knitting. I have even taken up knitting for my daughter now. Which also calms me without having my face turned to a computer or hands covered in paint/pastels/chalk. AND I can work on them whenever I want to without having to make a work space and take out paints/brushes/etc.
And when I am very stressed out I tend to grab one or both and fidle/play/sew or just take cute pictures.
I might want to try out having one near me when I need to make a phone call...I hate making them. Maybe having a doll close helps me too?

Dolls have brought about stress relief for me because of handwork and all the other hobbies they have led me into. I also am a firm believer in a travel doll.

"Travel dolls have moved beyond being a companion or plaything for a child on a car or train trip. Travel dolls have found a way to move through life's journey with adoring owners who are in it for the long haul. They are a source of comfort, entertainment, and purpose as owners photograph their dolls, collect souvenirs of their life's journey, and share the experience with other doll collectors. And as you know, travel dolls are happy to participate, because travel dolls love to travel!"

Cordie has a section of my purse for herself along with props and a folding chair. She is always where I am and has her own little bedroom in our bedroom.

[Eleona]

I'll chime in that my dolls are good for stress relief.

I make stuff for them, as I have issues with sitting and doing nothing- I can do it, and quite well, but the hazard is if I am worried/stressed I tend to focus on that and become very negative/self-critical. So I use my dolls as a distraction from that. I will make them clothes (I want to work on a house/room for my tinies, with furniture and such) or think of plans for their "someday" living quarters and what I'd need for the project and what I'd want it to look like.

I am very much a solitary/solo person. I spend most of my days alone, and even in company I tend to be more quiet and keep to myself. I don't ignore anyone- I just don't say much. The dolls give me a reason to reach out/talk to other people, even if it's only online on forums. I have to fight very hard to pipe up, even in forums. I'm not worried about rejection or ridicule, I just.... don't have anything to say it seems, unless I am answering a direct question.

But when I get really down or anxious, I turn to the girls. The tinies are my favorite because they can park on my desk, and if I'm having a really rotten day I can tuck one into my pocket to keep me company. I'm hoping to get an Obitsu 11cm soon so I can have a regular travel companion. The puki's work, but I'm always afraid I'll drop them and break something.

-Meredith