Stress relief balls – different kinds of shapes made of polyurethane foam – are becoming increasing popular. This popularity is probably more due to the pleasing experience that the balls (or rather, shapes) provide to the user than their stress relief effects.

This is not to say that they are not useful for relieving stress. Anything that provides a distraction, particularly an amusing or pleasing distraction, cannot but help reduce tension and stress in the short term.

The kinds of shapes in which stress relief balls come are innumerable. There are animal, human, alien, cartoon character, every day objects, landmarks, and so on. They also come in the shape of spherical balls.

The balls are squeezed, or handled otherwise in a manner that provides a release of tension.

Stress Relief Balls Have a Therapeutic Value

While stress relief balls may or may not have a psychological therapeutic value, they do definitely have a physical therapeutic effect. Squeezing the ball increases blood circulation to, and strengthens the muscles of, hands and wrists.

Squeezing the ball and holding for a slow count of two or three is an isometric effect that has a beneficial impact on arms and hands.

Doctors advise arthritis patients to use these stress relief balls to strengthen their hands that have been weakened by bone loss.

Stress Relief Balls Are Convenient

Stress relief balls are compact objects that you can carry in your brief case or purse. Whenever you feel tense, or just plain bored, you can take them out and squeeze them.

This might be particularly useful when you feel angry as in the case of road rage. There are even stress relief balls called Road Rage Remover. And AFLAC salesmen give away stress relief balls in the shape of the renowned AFLAC duck.

Other occasions when you could find them handy include standing in a long queue or waiting in a hospital waiting room.

Stress Relief Balls as Promotional Items

We mentioned above about the AFLAC salesmen who give stress relief balls to prospects. This is not an exceptional practice.

The balls (or shapes) are given out as gifts to employees and customers, or as giveaways at conferences, seminars and brand building campaigns.

Stress relief balls have become highly valued as business promotional and corporate brand building items. Because they can be made in desired shapes and imprinted with company logo and message, the stress relief ball giveaways act as mobile billboards. They reinforce brand recognition and act as a constant reminder of a company and its products.

With their stress relief, therapeutic, distraction-providing and convenience values, and numerous amusing shapes, it is no wonder that stress relief balls have come to have a high impact on their recipients.

Conclusion

Stress relief balls are convenient and pleasing devices for relieving stress. They can be carried even in a coat pocket, and used as a distraction to relieve tension or boredom. Squeezing (and holding) stress relief balls also have the therapeutic effect of increasing blood circulation and muscle strength of wrists and hands. And the stress relief balls come in numerous amusing shapes that they are a pleasure to use even without these benefits. No wonder they have become such high-value business promotional items.