Stress is a fact of life, but the Franklin Institute, a research and education organization, maintains that "the key to successful stress management is to keep a mild, healthy degree of stress in your life, in intermittent amounts." Regulating stress is critical to relieving it. The process involves physical movement and the sense of touch, such as walking and exercise and the use of polyurethane foam stress balls.
Function
Foam stress balls incorporate use of the body's sensory system. Touch, according to studies reported in the "Journal of Psychosocial Nursing," is an important link to dealing with stress and life events. In a 2004 article entitled "Sensory Approaches in Inpatient Psychiatric Settings," Tina Champagne, MEd, ORT/L, and Nan Stromber, MSN, RN, CS, reported that "becoming more aware of one's own sensory tendencies, preferences, and patterns develops the ability to better understand one's responses to different environments, people, situations and activities." Self-organization through use of sensory stimulation, such as foam stress balls, is a "key to the process," according to Champagne and Stromber.
Types
Stress balls, commonly made from polyurethane foam, must have enough strength to provide resistance, but also be flexible enough to be easily manipulated by either the right or left hands. Businesses and industry uses foam stress balls for advertising, frequently purchasing custom foam in variations of the ball form. Modern stress balls use shapes, including vehicles, structures and company logos, to promote businesses and non-profit causes. The American Heart Association offices in the state of Indiana use small heart stress balls, while a group promoting exercise as a tip to avoid stress and the risk of stroke distribute brain-shaped stress balls.
Effects
Researchers Champagne and Stromber note that in order to be an effective in sensorimotor therapy, an action must incorporate as many senses as possible. Champange and Stromber add stress balls to a list that outlines various approaches to incorporating the sense of touch. Scented foam stress balls add the important sensory dimension of smell.
Benefits
The benefit of daily use of stress balls rests in the fact that many people experiencing stress may not understand the need for touch therapy. Studies reported in the "Journal of Psychosocial Nursing" in 2006 noted that using therapeutic touch activities, such as foam stress balls, helped decrease "anxiety and pain" and also assisted in the healing process for wounds.
Considerations
The use of foam stress balls in educational settings shows interesting results. A group of nearly 30 middle school students in rural Georgia used stress balls in classrooms to focus attention on English and language arts classes. The study, reported by the Dropout Prevention Center of Clemson University in 2006, provided a stress ball for each student and asked the sixth-graders to use the balls for seven weeks as part of formal class training. The balls were also used during independent work sessions. The study reported that "attitude, attention, writing abilities, and peer interaction improved due to stress ball use."
References
- ERIC; Using Stress Balls to Focus the Attention of Sixth-Grade Learners; Sheryl Stalvey and Heather Brasell; Summer, 2006
- "Journal of Psychosocial Nursing"; Sensory Approaches in Inpatient Psychiatric Settings; Tina Champagne and Nan Stomberg; Sept. 2004
- The Franklin Institute: The Human Brain: Renew - Relieve Stress
- "Growing Stonger: Strength Training for Older Adults"; Rebecca A. Seguin, et al.; 2002
