Stress Balls

Stress balls are small, often spherical objects filled with malleable material, designed to be squeezed and manipulated by hand. 

They serve as helpful tools for anxiety relief, sensory stimulation, and concentration enhancement. These resources are particularly useful for individuals with anxiety, autism, and other sensory processing disorders, offering a tactile distraction from overwhelming stimuli or stressors.

Special Needs Resources sells a wide range of stress balls in different sizes, shapes, and firmness levels to suit the needs of our diverse customer base.

Although small, stress balls have many benefits and may help different individuals with:

Stress Relief

By squeezing a stress ball, you can redirect your tension to the ball, helping to alleviate stress. This is ideal for those who are diagnosed with anxiety or autism or experience a high degree of stress in their everyday life.

Physical Therapy

A mouldable stress ball can help improve hand strength and flexibility and aid in the rehabilitation of hand injuries or disorders, including arthritis. Repetitive use of a stress ball can strengthen muscles and improve fine motor skills.

Focus Improvement

For people with ADHD or sensory processing disorders, fidget stress balls can improve concentration by providing a physical outlet for restless energy.

Emotional Regulation

Stress balls can act as a non-destructive means of emotional expression, helping individuals to manage anxiety or frustration and enhancing emotional stability.

The proper way to use a stress ball is straightforward:

1. Hold the stress ball in the palm of one hand.
2. Squeeze it as tightly as you can, but avoid causing any discomfort or pain.
3. Hold the squeeze for about 5 seconds, then slowly release the grip.
4. Repeat this process 10 to 20 times.
5. Switch to the other hand and repeat.

The process can be repeated multiple times throughout the day, ideally in situations that cause stress or anxiety. It's important to remember not to overuse a stress ball, as this could potentially lead to muscle strain.

Apart from the traditional squeeze-and-release method, there are other ways to utilise stress balls:

Fidgeting

If you have ADHD or find it difficult to focus, fidgeting with a stress ball during tasks can help improve concentration.

Hand Exercises

You can use stress balls for hand and finger exercises, such as pressing the ball with individual fingers or rolling it in your palm. This can improve dexterity and strength.

Mindfulness Practice

By focusing on the feel and movements of the stress ball, you can practice mindfulness and grounding techniques to manage anxiety or panic attacks.

Physiotherapy

After surgery or an injury, stress balls can be used for gentle physiotherapy exercises to regain strength and flexibility in the hand and wrist.

Always remember to use them gently and avoid causing discomfort or strain.