You yourself understand perfectly well that sometimes adult life is like an endless list of things to do, worries and deadlines. And there is nothing surprising in the desire to escape from all of this as far as possible. But first of all – to childhood, in which it was so carefree and calm. “Labubu is not just a toy, for many it is a way to escape from the chaos of adult life ,” explains Dr. Sharma.
And that’s not just the words of one furry-toy company’s marketer. Research confirms that short-term play, even just arranging figurines on a shelf, can improve mood and reduce anxiety.
Remember how you mindlessly click the anti-stress film that fragile dishes are wrapped in, or tap your pen on the table during a tense meeting. At such moments, the brain craves a “reboot,” and a toy, oddly enough, copes with the task even better than meditation 🧘🏼♀️
Why ‘Ugly-Cute’ Toys Work
Laboobu doesn’t look like the ideal Barbie. She’s shaggy, has Pac-Man teeth, and can seem a little… creepy. It turns out that all of this makes her ideal for potential buyers. Psychologists call this aesthetic “cute aggression” – when you want to squeeze the toy, squeeze it with affection, and not blow dust off it.
“My office job is stressful. When I look at my keychain, a little smile comes to my face. They’re like little beacons of joy ,” says Wendy Lee, an investment manager who owns the trendy toy.