Stress balls are small, malleable devices that can fit easily in a hand and help relieve mental and physical stress. They come in various shapes and can be filled with foam, gel, powder, or other materials. They are often used by people in demanding jobs and can also be helpful for physical therapy. Using a stress ball requires no special instruction or skill.
A stress ball is a small ball designed to relieve stress by exercising the muscles in the hand. In reality, this type of device does not necessarily have to be shaped like a ball, and a wide variety of shapes can be found on the market. The main distinguishing feature is that it can fit easily in a hand and is malleable, allowing a user to compress it out of shape while providing some resistance to force the hand muscles to work.
Stress balls are supposed to be very helpful in relieving mental stress by providing people with a tool with which to work through physical aggression and stress. Squeezing one while imagining stress relief is an often recommended stress management tool for people in demanding jobs and are often given away at conferences and other corporate events as promotional tools, reflecting their widespread use.
In addition to being helpful for emotional stress, a stress ball can be helpful for physical stress. Physical therapists use a very similar tool to help people flex and stretch the muscles in their hands. Squeezing a stress ball can reduce the amount of strain associated with repetitive tasks like typing and can also help develop hand strength. For people who have suffered strokes and other neurological problems, these balls can also be used as part of a physical therapy plan to help the patient regain hand and finger mobility.
A variety of things can be used to fill a stress ball. The idea is that the filling should be firm, with a slight sag, forcing people to work to deform the ball. Foam is a common choice, as is gel or a powder enclosed in a latex packet. You can even make your own basic stress ball by filling a balloon with cornstarch. Plastic beans and granules can also be used, although these fillings are less smooth.
Using a stress ball requires no special instruction or skill—all you have to do is pick up the ball and squeeze it. Repeated use of such a ball can, of course, cause the same problems other repetitive motions are associated with, but taking breaks from typing and other repetitive activities to squeeze a stress ball a few times can be helpful. For people who are stressed or have issues with anger management, this item can be a great focus tool
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