“Life is not easy”. It is a simple axiom and a well-accepted fact. Regardless of what you do or who you are, you will always run into situations where things simply do not go as planned.
Perhaps an item was not delivered on time, or maybe your cash flow is just not enough to cover your daily necessities. There are plenty of causes for those feelings of unease and frustration that we’ve come to know as stress. Coping with stress is a challenge, but there are tools you can use to feel better.
Among these tools are stress balls. Whilst they may seem like simple rubber toys, squeezing them can help you endure the challenges of your daily life. We all experience stress in different ways, but there is one constant: a feeling of tension. Some people feel it in their shoulders, whilst others feel it around their necks and chest. Tension is a symptom of stress, and squeezing a stress ball can help you relieve said tension. It is a simple principle; the anger and frustration you feel gets taken out on the plastic surface of the toy. When you are done you may feel a bit better.
Stress Relief at the Office
If you work in an office, a stress ball can help you in a number of ways.
Writing by hand, typing and scrolling around with your mouse can lead to a painful condition known as carpal tunnel syndrome. Taking a couple of minutes out of your day to squeeze a simple toy can help promote blood circulation around your hands and wrists. This can aid in the prevention of conditions caused by daily wear and tear of these tendons and muscles.
When we are tense, we tend to ruminate. We keep thinking about problems we can’t solve. We are basically just obsessing over something that might not have a solution at that particular point in time. A stress ball can help divert your attention from whatever is troubling you and transfer it to the ball itself. This is not going to solve the situation at hand, but it can help you clear your head so you can tackle the problem. Physical therapy is another situation in which stress balls can be very handy. If you suffer from any kind of injury or atrophy of your hands or wrists, the stimulation that comes from squeezing a stress toy can slowly help you regain lost strength.
But Wait, There’s more!
Stress balls are great when it comes to dealing with a number of struggles and situations. However, they are by no means a miracle cure. In order to properly manage stress you need a healthy diet, a good night’s sleep and to learn how to breathe properly. This ensures your brain will always be properly oxygenated.
If you have any questions about dealing with stress, don’t be afraid to talk to a professional. Even if you do not plan to continue with therapy, a full evaluation with a counsellor can help you learn to deal with tension effectively.
