According to Stressfocus, stress is the number one health problem in the world due to the harm that it can cause the body. A stress ball is one tool that is used to combat stress; it is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand and can be easily squeezed to decrease muscular and emotional tension, according to the Stress, Anxiety and Depression Resource Center. Stress balls offer several benefits for stress relief and are convenient because they can be transported and used anytime or anywhere.
Tension Release
When you squeeze a stress ball, you create tension in your muscles. Upon releasing your grip, your muscles relax. According to the Stress, Anxiety and Depression Resource Center, "this process of acute muscle tension and relaxation can flush out muscle tension and relieve stress." As you squeeze the stress ball and tense and relax your muscles, breathe deeply in order to help yourself relax fully.
Attention Diversion
You can tense and relax any of your muscles to help relax. However, by focusing on squeezing and releasing a stress ball, you are diverting your attention away from the source of your stress. Therefore, your mind stabilizes, helping you to relax and focus with the release of piled-up mental energy due to stress. According to Stressfocus, the benefits that a stress ball provides by diverting your attention are similar to the effects of meditation.
Nerve Stimulation
By squeezing a stress ball, you stimulate the nerves in your hands. These nerves carry a signal to your brain, especially to the limbic area. According to Stressfocus, the limbic area is the part of your brain that is linked to emotions. Also, this brain stimulation results in the production of endorphins, natural chemicals that act as relaxers and natural pain relievers.
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