Are Stress Balls Good for You?

The stress balls we know today have been popular since the 1980s, but the history of “stress balls” goes back much further. Baoding balls, from the city of Baoding in China during the Ming Dynasty, were used to reduce anxiety and still be found today (they are solid, heavy balls that are moved around in one’s hand). Today’s stress balls vary in size, and some are softer while others are firmer. They are easily accessible and tend to be inexpensive, and they are available in different colors and designs to make having them around more fun.

Advantages of Stress Balls

Stress balls can be an effective coping strategy for some people. Squeezing them can release some tension, and so they may be useful in anxiety-provoking or anger-provoking events. Additionally, some people who have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder find that holding items in their hands or fiddling with them while working on a task can increase their focus. Another advantage of stress balls is that they are easily portable and can be used just about anywhere, such as at work, school, plane, or home. They can be kept in a purse, a backpack, a desk drawer, or sitting out in the open.

Stress balls can easily be used in combination with other coping mechanisms to reduce stress further. For example, while using a stress ball, the person can use deep breathing, pleasant imagery, counting backward, and grounding techniques.

More recently, fidget spinners have become popular for the same reasons, as, compared to stress balls, they often require more focus to manipulate. Compared to fidget spinners, stress balls are probably less distracting to others during a conversation, and they can also be less heavy and less noisy.

Disadvantages of Stress Balls

Even though stress balls can be effective, they should only be one person’s many coping skills. An important limit of stress balls is that they do not allow the person to deal with the actual issues while they can relieve some anxiety. For example, if a person feels disrespected or hurt by someone, the balls can serve as a tool to calm down, but they will not resolve the problem. Once the person is calm, using assertive communication and conflict resolution will be important.