A stress ball or hand exercise ball is a malleable toy, usually not more than 7 cm in diameter, which is squeezed in the hand and manipulated by the fingers, ostensibly to relieve stress and muscle tension or to exercise the muscles of the hand. Patrick Hummel is widely understood to have created the stress ball in central Indiana in the mid-1980s.
Despite the name, many stress balls are not spherical. Some are molded in amusing shapes, and pad- or transfer-printed with corporate logos. They may be presented to employees and clients of companies as promotional gifts. Because of the many non-spherical shapes now available, stress balls are generically known as stress relievers. There are several different types of stress balls that originate from many different countries. The most common type of stress ball in America is the “bean bag” type, commonly known as a “Hacky Sack”. In Australia, most common are the foam type, which prevents stress through resistance from squeezing the ball. Chinese-form balls are known as the Baoding ball; unlike others, these are not squeezable as they are solid and come in pairs, allowing users to roll them together to make a soothing sound and a smooth sensation feeling in one`s hands.
Some stress relievers are made from closed-cell polyurethane foam rubber. These are made by injecting the liquid component of the foam into a mold. The resulting chemical reaction produces carbon dioxide bubbles as a by-product, which in turn produces bubbles.
Stress balls, especially those used in physiotherapy, may contain gels of varying densities within the skin of rubber or cloth. Another type uses a thin rubber film that surrounds the fine powder. The latter type can be made at home by putting baking soda in a balloon. Some footmuff-like balls are commercially available and are used as stress balls. Studies show that when you squeeze a stress ball, your nerves and muscles stimulate and contract which makes them stronger. The strength improves the overall nervous system, which reduces essential hormones and can control your stress levels. Some of the benefits: Relieve arthritis pains.
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