Stressed adults are sucking on baby dummies to relax
Have self-care and relaxation techniques gone too far?
Life isn't easy, and every person has to find ways to cope with the stress it can bring.
READ: R&B singer 'almost died' after sustaining face injury
So when life gets tough, is it time to pop in the pacifier?
Yes, you are reading this correctly.
A new "wellness" trend has popped up and is one of the most questionable to date.
WATCH: Employees of popular SA retailer forced to cut long nails at work
According to TikTok and other sources, such as the New York Post, adults using pacifiers (dummies) started as a more niche, quirky behaviour.
Now sales of this item have led to big business for Chinese e-commerce.
Like any other product, there are budget-friendly versions (estimated R25) and more luxurious options (estimated R1240).
No need to buy melatonin or meditate, dummies are the new sleep aids, stress relievers, and even smoking-cessation tools.
READ: Popular call app under fire for alleged SA privacy violations
Users seem not to care about any judgment they might face and instead rave about the incredible effects of sucking on a pacifier as an adult.
One buyer said: "When I’m under pressure at work, I feel a sense of safety from childhood".
But before you race down the baby aisle, medical professionals have voiced their warning about pacifier use as an adult.
LISTEN: SA artist shares new song about the struggles rugby referees face
Speaking to the South China Morning Post, Dr. Tang Caomin, a dentist in Sichuan, shared that sleeping with a pacifier can interfere with your breathing and, worst-case scenario, lead to suffocation.
Excessive and prolonged use can seriously affect your bite, strain your jaw, and disrupt sleep.
But this trend isn't just kicking off in one country. TikTok is crazy for pacifiers.
VOTE: Which K-pop group is more popular?
You can find videos of people pacifying themselves at work or in traffic.
@littleclaireestelle Replying to @user589480642 They have the best prices I’ve found!☺️ •𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓓𝓸𝓵𝓵 𝓢𝓪𝓷𝓬𝓽𝓾𝓪𝓻𝔂• 💖All Dolls Welcome💖 𝒲𝑒 𝒹𝑜𝓃’𝓉 𝓊𝓈𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓌𝑜𝓇𝒹 “𝓈𝒸𝒶𝓂” 𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒. 𝕃𝕖𝕒𝕧𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕣𝕖𝕓𝕠𝕣𝕟 𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕞𝕦𝕟𝕚𝕥𝕪💔 🚫Hate=Blocked! #babydoll #doll #dollcollector #lifelikedoll #realisticdoll #recovery #innerchildhealing #fakebaby #dolltherapy #survivor #roleplay #therapydoll #dollsoftiktok #alldollswelcome #thedollsanctuary #dollsanctuary #healing #traumahealing #rebornart #rebornartistry #rebornartist #rebornartdoll #rebornbaby #reborndoll #reborncommunity #reborncommunity🤍🌱 #adultpacifier #adultpwcifiers ♬ Cute - Audiolist Productions
Instead, if you do find yourself hankering for a pacifier, others highly recommend chewing gum or if you want to suck on something, buy a few lollipops.
Tune in to the 'Breakfast with Martin Bester', weekdays from 06:00 - 09:00. Stream the show live here or download our mobile app here.
Listen to Jacaranda FM:
- 94.2
- Jacaranda FM App
- http://jacarandafm.com
- DStv 858/ OpenView 602
Follow us on social media:
Main image courtesy of Instagram