I'm sure most of you have had at least one stress ball at one time in your life or another. Companies seem to love giving these little, malleable toys out as free promotional items during fairs and conferences and such. The first “stress ball” that most of us encounter as a child is usually the trusted favorite rock we love to carry around in our pockets and roll between our fingers. But why would you spend time looking for a stress ball and what the heck do you do with your stress ball once you have it?

The shape and form of a stress ball can vary widely but the best ones are fairly small and designed to fit in the palm of your hand. They come made of many different materials – the cheapest tend to be closed cell polyurethane rubber. These stress balls are most common for companies marketing their logo.

Using a stress ball as a marketing tool is a fun way to get your company information out to a lot of people with less fear that they will toss the item after leaving your booth, unlike paper and pamphlets. They are visually interesting, people tend to like free toys, and depending on the shapes and colors, you can really say a lot about your company with one tiny stress ball!

For those of us who tend to fidget a lot – now they call that ADHD and have medication for it! - a stress ball is an excellent way to improve concentration. If you have to sit through a long lecture where its impractical or frowned on the get up and move around, having that stress ball with you can help. As a counselor, I have often used strategically placed stress balls throughout my office to help people who are feeling anxious and need something in their hands to help them talk.

If you are looking for something for concentration or anxiety, choose a stress ball like something made by Koosh that has a lot of texture, feels interesting in your hands. Take it with you when you have to sit through that boring meeting or lecture, or if you know ahead of time that you will be under a lot of pressure. You will be amazed at how that one little stress ball can improve your concentration and relax your body dramatically. One of my favorite stress balls ever was made of a bunch of tiny, stretchy threads that stayed cool in your hands, felt a little slippery, and also was fairly soft to the touch. Lots of tactile information for your body to play with while your mind concentrates!

The other type of stess ball commonly available is made for folks who are recovering from some type of injury. These therapeutic toys are generally “prescribed” by physical or occupational therapists and come in a wide variety of forms. If its a stress ball to help recover from something like carpal tunnal syndrome, it will generally be filled with some type of gel material and provide some resistance to the hands. This helps build back strength and uses muscles in ways other than you normally do with a mouse or keyboard.

So you see, the tiny little stress ball can be a valuable little tool. It is the perfect promotional tool for your company, as people are much more likely to hold onto it. This tiny toy can dramatically increase your ability to concentrate, especially for those who require a lot of tactile stimulation. A stress ball that your enjoy holding also does as its name implies – it reduces your level of stress and anxiety. Lastly, stress balls are a valuable tool in physical therapy for those recovering from injuries to the hands and fingers who need to build up some muscle strength. Whatever stress ball you end up choosing, the most important thing is to not leave it at home! In your hand, it is a valuable tool. If you like to collect stress balls, they make a very colorful display! However, don't be caught without one in your pocket, briefcase, purse, or on your desk. You just never know when you'll be caught in a situation where having something to play with will enhance your productivity so dramatically as this little toy.