7 Awesome Things You can Do with Stress Balls

Updated 4/1/20.

Most of us are familiar with stress balls. Whether you have one sitting on your desk right now, or you have seen them used in a comical sense among stressed out office workers on TV, stress balls have become increasingly popular over the years—and for good reason.

Research shows that using a stress ball can actually enhance emotional stability and deliver significant physical benefits. Knowing this, make sure that you not only have stress balls in your workspace but that you provide them for your customers or prospects to help them improve their sense of positive energy.

Here are some commonly asked questions and our answers, along with favorite stress ball activities.

Do Stress Balls Work?

At first glance, it may seem like something so small and simple couldn’t be that effective. But, like the old saying says, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” These small-but-mighty stress relievers truly do work—and that’s based on research and science.

In an interview with the Huffington Post, David Posen, the author of Is Work Killing You?: A Doctor’s Prescription for Treating Workplace Stress, says,

“The benefit of squeezing is that it releases some kind of energy – it also induces you to relax.”

When we’re stressed, our muscles tend to clench, and squeezing a stress ball forces us to release and relax those muscles.

What Are Some Stress Ball Benefits?

So now that we know that they work, let’s highlight some of the stress ball benefits:

Relieve arthritis pains
Reduce anxiety and stress
Promote better sleep
Lower blood pressure
Improve concentration and creativity
Strengthen muscles

Not Sure How to Use a Stress Ball?

One reason stress balls are so widely used is how easy it is to use them. Here’s a basic and effective outline on how to use a stress ball:

Squeeze the stress ball in your left hand for 30 seconds.
Pulse it for 30 seconds.
Repeat with the right hand.

This video also is a great visual guide on how to use a stress ball.

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Any Ideas for Stress Ball Activities?

Of course! These stress ball uses and activities will help you relax both your body and mind.

1. Tone Your Muscles

Even if you aren’t experiencing stress or anxiety, simply squeezing a stress ball firmly in the hands can help to strengthen the muscles of the forearm, wrists, and hands in no time at all. You can do this practically anywhere – while working, at home while watching TV, or even in the car.

2. Relax During Meetings

Many of us feel that our work weeks are nothing more than a series of meetings. If you find yourself getting tired, irritated, bored, or simply disinterested during one of your business meetings, consider using a stress ball to keep your hands occupied and your mind at peace.

3. Play Games with Your Kids

Use your stress ball to play catch with your kids at home, without fear of punching a hole in your window. Other ideas include learning how to juggle, batting practice, and a good old fashioned game of catch.

4. Massage Your Feet

Slip off your shoes and roll your feet on a couple of stress balls on the ground. This can stimulate acupressure points that provide calming benefits, as well as a boost to your creative thinking abilities.

5. Enhance Communication at Home

Ask your kids or spouse how their day was, and then sit back and listen quietly until it is your time to hold the stress ball. This helps to encourage communication while minimizing disruptions.

6. Do a Stress Ball Hunt

Take a break from working and get everyone in the house involved in a stress ball hunt (think of it as a riff on an Easter egg hunt). Choose someone to hide them, and the rest find them. Winner gets a stress ball.