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Techniques for Using a Stress Ball

Anxiety and stress are common in modern day society. There are endless reasons why people become stressed, from financial issues to relationship problems. Many different techniques can be employed to reduce feelings of stress. Stress balls are an extremely common and effective way of reducing stress.

  1. Type of Stress Ball

    • There are hundreds of varieties of stress ball. Stress balls can differ in textures, patterns, colours, contents and material type. The contents of the balls can differ greatly; cloth-filled stress balls have a softer feel to them than most other types. Cloth balls are usually easier to compact to a small size making the stress reducing squeezing process less strenuous work for your hands. Rubber-filled stress balls have a denser feel to them and can be much harder to squeeze. Rubber balls also take time to reform back to original size and shape. It is important that the preferred type of stress ball is chosen for optimum stress release.

    Stress Identification

    • It is important to identify times when stress occurs. This allows the individual to take the appropriate measures to reduce feelings of anxiety and the effects of stress. Keeping the stress ball in locations where stress most commonly occurs can mentally prepare the individual and allow them to quickly combat the onset of stress. It is often to helpful to take the stress ball away with you from the stressful location. Use the stress ball to take a 10 minute break away from home or the workplace.

    Rhythm

    • There are a variety of different hand techniques that can be used with a stress ball to reduce feeling of stress. Rhythmically squeezing the ball in your strongest hand is an effective method. It is important that individuals find their own pace at which they like to squeeze. Doing so too often can cause hand cramps, however not squeezing often enough can fail to reduce feelings of anxiety and stress.

    Shape

    • The shape of a stress ball can help reduce levels of stress. Shapes which are easier to hold, such as small hand sized balls are most popular but other shapes such as tubes as just as effective. An undulating surface such as rubber spikes can also enhance the stress relieving sensation. Stress balls with printed images or in the shape of an object such as a cigarette packet or a miniature person can also provide a personal stimulus to use the object to reduce stress.

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