Have a Ball and Reduce Stress

Have a ball and reduce stress, a stress ball that is. Believe it or not they actually work. Here's why.

As we all know, stress is the body's reaction to danger. It is the "fight and flight" response. However, in today's society it is unusual to be physically threatened. It is usually a mental stress and our reaction is anger. One way to overcome that is to take a break from whatever is causing your stress. Playing with or squeezing a stress ball will do this. It is a form of mental distraction. Your mind is diverted from the cause of the stress.

The second way that the stress ball is beneficial is that it creates a physical response. It helps reduce the physical muscle tension causes by your mental distress. It also increases circulation in the hand creating a stimulated nervous effect in the hand. This causes release of endorphins (nature's own happy pills).

Stress balls can be used as a means of relaxing at the end of the day. They can also be therapeutic for people suffering from arthritis and other ailments.

Stress balls are widely available. A lot of times they are called stress toys because of the wide variety of available shapes and sizes. The constant ingredient is that they are made of a compressible foam. They have become popular gifts for corporations and used as promotional items with logos embedded in them.

The best part is that they can be used anywhere by anyone. Its not like cardio exercises that require physical abilities or mind games requiring concentration. There is no side effect and can be used for as long as and whenever you want.

Research has actually shown that these are indeed therapeutics aids and more than just a toy or gimmick.

Autor: Ron Harper

For more information go to http://www.howtostopstressing.com

Added: March 2, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/