Do You Have An Emotional Support Water Bottle?
They’ve been trending on tiktok for over a year now, emotional support water bottles. Do you have one?
By: Shannon Siriano Greenwood
While some people adopted puppies during the pandemic, I adopted a 30 ounce reusable water bottle with a handle. And now, she goes with me wherever I go.
I’m glad that I’m not alone with many women taking to tiktok to show you theirs. Some are adorned with stickers, some are faded from years of use, and some are fresh out of the box, (people are literally unboxing their water bottles - and worse, I watch them).
These bottles are by your side at your computer, on your nightstand, in your car cup holder, if you are lucky, and maybe even making cameos in your friend group photos.
But is there really something to the emotional connection between a human and a bottle?
The answer is yes.
Object attachment is the experience a person has when they feel an emotional attachment to an inanimate object and may even feel a sense of loss if they were to part with the object. (Cited from the National Library of Medicine)
In response to the pandemic, it makes sense to me that I would develop an attachment to a particular object to support me feeling better both by the comfort/consistency of the object and my goal to be more hydrated.
The same way my 4 year old carries his stuffed tiger around when he needs to calm down, I have my bottle. It’s there when I need a break, a sip, and even a mindful moment.
So I say, emotional support water bottles for all.
Just make sure you clean yours regularly.
