Gel Stress Balls

Squeeze away your stress!

Using gel stress balls is an easy and fun way for you to work out some of your stress. With many ball designs available and very affordable prices, there is a ball out there for you to take out any type of stress on.

What Is a Gel Ball?

Gel balls are small balls filled with a semi solid silicone gel in a polymer casing that can be squeezed, twisted, pounded, and otherwise manipulated but will still return to their shape without harm. The size of the balls varies from two to three inches, but most are a comfortable size to hold in your hand. They come in a wide range of styles and designs, and are a great tool for easy stress management.

How Gel Balls Help Relieve Stress

Squeezing a gel ball can help relieve stress in several ways. First, the action of squeezing and releasing the ball can ease muscle tension in your fingers, palms, wrists, and forearms, and it can be a physical way for you to focus your stressful emotions such as anger, frustration, or anxiety. The ball can serve as a focal point for simple meditation exercises, and depending on its design it can be a whimsical and fun activity as well, letting you relieve stress with humor.

Additional Benefits of Gel Balls

In addition to their stress relief benefits, gel balls can also help you build strength in your hands and wrists, a useful exercise for anyone who uses a computer frequently. Gel balls have also been used to treat arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome, and by using a gel ball frequently you can improve the blood circulation in your hands, wrists, and forearms.

Stress Ball Designs

While basic gel stress balls are just round, colored balls, there is a wide range of more unique and themed designs to choose from, including:

  • Colors: Solid colors are popular, as are color changing gel balls that change shades when squeezed. Tie dye and rainbow balls are also available. For even more stress relief, choose the best colors for relaxation for your gel ball.
  • Shapes: Themed shapes are popular for stress balls, many of which are made with gel. Sports balls, globes, stars, hearts, happy faces, animals, and many other shapes are available.
  • Covered: While a bare gel ball is perfectly suitable, some people prefer balls covered with lycra or other fabric that will be softer against sensitive skin.
  • Texture: Smooth balls are the easiest to find, but texture balls with ridges, dots, or spikes are also available and can provide a mini hand massage when squeezed. Some balls also have beads inside for an internal texture that has a similar feel, and the density of the gel can also create different feelings when it is squeezed.
  • Internal Decorations: Elaborate gel balls have unique fillings to make them more interesting. Common options include swirling colors, glitter, lights, and even small whimsical objects like fish or a fortune telling cube.
  • Aromatherapy: Some gel balls are treated with aromatherapy infusions to add an additional relaxing element to the ball. Peppermint, lavender, and cucumber melon are popular scents.
  • Sounds: A whimsical option for a gel ball is one that makes noise when squeezed, such as a popping or smacking sound. This can help you focus your squeezes and is a fun way to relax.

When you choose a stress ball, opt for a design you like that is comfortable to hold. If you have a more whimsical ball, you will be more likely to use it and enjoy its effects more frequently.

Where to Find Gel Stress Balls

Gel filled stress balls can be found in many office stores and through exercise equipment retailers, and they generally cost $2-5 each depending on the quality and quantity, and in some cases you can even find free stress balls. Novelty retailers may also have a selection of more outrageous balls on hand, though their quality may not be as high. Many online retailers sell customized and personalized stress balls that are perfect for employee or client gifts, promotional marketing, and other uses. Retailers offering a range of bulk ball designs include:

golf gel stress ballThemed gel balls are popular designs.

Tips for Relieving Your Stress With a Ball

Just like any stress management technique, using a gel ball must be done regularly for the greatest benefits. To make the most of your gel ball…

  • Keep it in a location where you often feel stressed, such as in your office or at work. You can also keep spare balls in a purse, car, or briefcase so you are never without one when you feel the need to squeeze.
  • When squeezing the ball, focus on your hand motion, the pressure you exert, and the changes in the ball's shape. This will help you center your emotions and relieve your stress more quickly.
  • To help yourself focus on the exercise, count each squeeze until you reach a certain number, or hold each squeeze as you count off the seconds. Deep breathing can also help you focus as you squeeze.

Gel stress balls can be an effective tool for helping you manage your stress. With simple squeezing exercises, you can squeeze away your frustrations and squeeze more relaxation into your day.