Forget the fidget spinners, stress balls are having a major comeback, and they’ve officially graduated from the corporate office to high school hallways.
In a world full of digital distractions, one of the most popular pieces of technology in school right now is the simple stress ball. Unlike a cellphone, stress balls don’t require your full attention; they can be used while multitasking, which is a huge advantage for students.
Not only are stress balls great for multitasking, they also relieve built up anxiety and overwhelming thoughts in a healthy way.
“They relieve stress really well when you’re stressed out or overthinking, and they help relieve that in a way that’s not unhealthy,” said freshman Lylah Metzler. “[and] in a way that’s not going to impact your education, because you can do it on the side while you’re doing your work.”
Stress balls being a healthy distraction can come with advantages, such as getting rid of bad mental health habits that some students may have.
Sophomore Anna Woodson said, “I think having something to mess with distracts your brain from what you’re worried about.”
The stress ball has become a standard item for students to carry in their backpack.
“I’d say it’s pretty normalized, and usually teachers use them too,” said Metzler. Different types of stress balls can have different effects on people. Some students prefer different materials filling their stress ball or require them to be more resistant.
“If it’s not something I can put my anger into, I just get stressed out more,” said Metzler.
Stress balls can be a good outlet and shouldn’t be viewed as a toy. Some teachers and other classmates may think that stress balls are just toys and that they have no real effect on a teen’s education. However, when they’re used correctly, they can have limitless positive impacts.
“I think sometimes when they’re not used properly, they can be used as a distraction,” said Metzler. “Majority of the time, people use them as a way to actually help [with stress].”
At the end of the day, stress balls are a great tool for students to use. Whether multitasking or intentionally focusing their attention on the squishy texture, stress balls prove to be effective tools for students.
