Punch's Orangutan and 7 IKEA plush toys to use softness as therapy and help lower your cortisol

Abandoned macaque Punch found comfort in an orangutan plush, sparking a global conversation around softness as stress relief.

Punch the young macaque clinging to his orangutan plush, a tender reminder that comfort can calm frazzled nerves.

By Neha Ravi Khandelwal

Neha Khandelwal
Content Lead, HT Travel | Travel & Lifestyle Journalist
With over 10 years of content writing experience, Neha Khandelwal is a lifestyle journalist and the Content Lead at HT Travel. She specialises in destinations, hotels, aviation, luggage, travel gear, and practical guides that help readers plan smarter and travel better. Her work combines first-hand experience, expert insights, and extensive research to create stories that are informative, useful, and easy to follow.

Career Journey & Experience
Neha began her writing career as a freelance journalist in 2010 before entering mainstream media with The Times of India in 2022. She later joined Hindustan Times, where she has written extensively across travel, lifestyle, home, and consumer trends. Her professional background extends beyond journalism. Before moving into digital media full-time, she spent nearly a decade in interior design, managing residential projects from concept to execution. She also trained in visual merchandising with Shoppers Stop and Pantaloons and worked with women-led startups across design and operations. These experiences continue to shape her storytelling, especially in how she evaluates hotels, design-led stays, hospitality spaces, and travel experiences.

A naturally curious learner, Neha has completed beginner certifications in pottery, scuba diving, baking, creative writing, and other creative pursuits. She has read more than 2,000 books, trained in Bharatanatyam for 8 years, and ghostwritten a book on Ladakh tourism.

Subject Expertise
Travel is at the heart of Neha's work. She covers destinations, hotels, airlines, luggage, packing strategies, travel accessories, and emerging travel trends through a mix of reporting, product testing, and conversations with industry experts. A frequent traveller herself, she approaches every trip with a journalist's curiosity and a planner's mindset, focusing on experiences that readers can realistically recreate. From choosing the right cabin bag to decoding hotel openings and destination trends, her writing prioritises practical advice over promotional claims. Her background in interior design also gives her a distinct perspective on architecture, hospitality design, boutique hotels, luxury stays, and thoughtfully designed spaces.

Education & Professional Background
Neha holds a Master's degree in Interior Design. Her early experience in interior design, visual merchandising, and design operations gives her a unique understanding of aesthetics, functionality, and user experience, adding depth to her coverage of hotels, resorts, and travel spaces.

Editorial Philosophy
"As an avid, research-driven traveller, my goal is simple. To answer the questions you actually have before booking a trip. I cut through the promotional noise with honest reporting and expert insights. Making travel planning seamless, smart, and reliable so you always know where to go next."

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Punch, a young Japanese macaque born in July 2025 at Ichikawa Zoo near Tokyo, captured hearts after being abandoned by his mother. This little, cute animal went viral for all the wrong reasons! And while the world worried about him being abandoned and alone, zookeepers introduced him to an IKEA orangutan plush toy for comfort. What followed was unexpectedly moving. The tiny macaque clung to that plush orangutan with the sort of focus that made the world pause and cheer and even cry a little.

Was it tender? Yes. It was also deeply awakening - reminding us how even humans sometimes tend to rely on plushies and soft toys for emotional support.

In simple terms, your stress response eases. When the body feels held, it is more likely to shift out of fight or flight and into a steadier, restorative state. That shift is associated with lower cortisol and an increase in serotonin and dopamine.

Psychologists call toys like Punch’s orangutan transitional objects. In stressful moments, gripping soft fur and feeling its weight can ground the mind. Touch also matters. Contact comfort research shows primates seek closeness, and hugging something soft can release oxytocin, easing heart rate and tension.

Mimansa Tanwar, Psychologist at Fortis Gurugram, tells HT Shop Now: “Self-soothing techniques help in emotional regulation. It is the texture and the softness with the touch, which is one of our five senses, that creates that effect of soothing the self and helps reduce anxiety. The tactile sensory input can create a sense of comfort and calm and help the individual with physiological and emotional aspects of anxiety”

My top picks of IKEA plushies online to help us all find comfort like Punch

1. Ikea DJUNGELSKOG Soft Toy, Orangutan

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The internet’s favourite cuddle companion, and yes, the very same orangutan Punch the young macaque refuses to let go of. At 66 cm, it is built for proper wraparound hugs, with touch and close fastenings on its hands and feet so it can cling to bags, shelves, or you. The polyester fabric is soft but not floppy, and it survives a 40°C machine wash without drama. Cult classic status fully earned.

2. Ikea JATTESTOR Soft Toy, Elephant, Grey

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There is something reassuring about an elephant that weighs 0.77 kg and simply sits there looking dependable. At 60 cm long, this grey giant is generous enough to lean against during long evenings. Made from polyester with a plush fibre filling, it feels satisfyingly full. Care is refreshingly low effort, too. A quick wipe with a damp cloth, and it is back to duty.

3. IKEA DJUNGELSKOG Soft Toy, Brown/Bear cub, 32 cm (13 ") - 320 mm (Brown)

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Compact at 32 cm, this bear cub is the sort you tuck under your arm without thinking. It fits neatly on a desk, bed or sofa corner, offering quiet company rather than demanding attention. The materials are soft and non-toxic, so they feel gentle against the skin while holding their shape. Think subtle comfort, not oversized statement.

4. IKEA SOCKERBIT Soft Toy, Dog, Golden Retriever, 40 cm (15 ¾ ")

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Light enough to carry around at just 0.19 kg, this 40 cm golden retriever has easygoing energy. The polyester exterior and fibre filling make it soft without collapsing into a heap. It works just as well propped beside a laptop as it does in a child’s arms. Bonus points for being recyclable or suitable for energy recovery where facilities exist.

5. Ikea DVÄRGHARE Soft Toy, Bunny/Beige, 21 cm

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Small, beige and deliberately simple, this 21 cm bunny is designed for little hands. The long floppy ears are easy to grab, and the embroidered face keeps things smooth and safe. Made from recycled polyester, it is gentle on sensitive skin and sturdy enough for everyday affection. It goes straight into the washing machine when needed, then back onto the nursery shelf.

6. IKEA GOSIG Soft Toy, Dog/Golden Retriever, 70 cm

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70 centimetres of golden retriever that doubles as a floor cushion. The plush polyester exterior and recycled hollow fibre filling give it that sink-in feel, ideal for proper lounging cuddles. It handles a 40°C mild wash with ease, and the stitching is secure enough for energetic play. Children love it. Adults quietly claim it during stressful weeks.

7. Ikea 70402843 DJUNGELSKOG: Soft Toy, 18.5 inches (47 cm), Panda

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At 47 cm, this panda hits the sweet spot between toy and sofa accessory. The black and white design is classic, and the body is plump enough to rest your head on during a film. The plush finish feels smooth against the skin, making it ideal for slow evenings when you need something soft within reach.

8. Ikea TSSP Soft Toy, dinosaur/dinosaur/brontosaurus55 cm (22 ")

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A 55 cm brontosaurus with light and sound features sounds lively, yet it still manages to feel soothing. The long neck and rounded body make it easy to hug or prop against pillows. It is lightweight, so shifting it around takes no effort. A playful option for anyone who likes their comfort with a hint of prehistoric charm.

How do soft toys and plushies help reduce cortisol levels?

• Firm hugging of a plush toy can activate deep pressure stimulation, which encourages the nervous system to shift into a calmer state.
• That physical pressure can help lower cortisol levels while supporting the release of serotonin and dopamine.
• Soft textures provide sensory grounding, helping interrupt anxious thought loops and steady breathing.
• Holding something comforting can stimulate oxytocin release, which is linked to reduced heart rate and tension.
• Familiar plush objects act as emotional anchors during stress, creating a sense of safety that supports overall regulation.

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IKEA plush toys to help lower your cortisol: FAQs

Can a plush toy really help with stress?

Yes, soft toys can offer comforting pressure and tactile input that supports calmer breathing and helps ease stress responses.

How do I choose the right size or type?

Pick a size that feels natural to hold or hug, and look for soft, textured fabric that makes you feel relaxed when you touch it.

Do adults benefit from plush toys too?

Absolutely. Many adults find that holding or hugging a plush companion can provide a sense of comfort and help reduce anxious moments.

The author of this article holds a Master's Degree in Interior Design and has spent over a decade in research, teaching, and designing homes from scratch.

Disclaimer: At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, concerning the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority.