Everyone experiences stress at some point during a lifetime. Stress can come from relationships, jobs, family, school, and many other areas. Unfortunately, facing stress on a regular basis can result in physical symptoms, like headaches or sleeplessness, to more psychological symptoms, like anxiety. The market is flooded with products designed to help reduce stress. One product that has been around for centuries is the stress ball.

Stress balls have a unique history dating back to between 1368 and 1644, a period in China better known as the Ming Dynasty. During this time period, stress balls were known as iron balls. This was due to stress relief balls of this earlier time period being made from iron instead of more modern materials like closed-cell polyurethane foam rubber. The balls originated in Baodine, China, and spread throughout the East towards the West over the following centuries.

As this stress-reduction method spread, the makeup of the balls began to change. Today there are two main types of stress relief balls. The one that many people are accustomed to are the stress balls that are squeezed. These balls are made from rubber materials that rebound to their original shape each time they are squeezed. The second type of stress ball are often referred to as Chinese stress relief balls, which are still made from metal, though not always from iron like the original design. In this style, two metal balls are turned around each other in the palm of the hand.

Stress relief balls have maintained their popularity due largely to their ease of use. Most anyone can squeeze or twirl the balls, making them accessible to people of all health levels. A stress ball can work in various ways, depending on the style of ball. Chinese balls are believed to stimulate areas of the nervous system known as acupressure points. The acupressure points of the hands are especially important in alternative medicine practices, as they are believed to connect to and affect areas connected with stress, such as the neck, stomach and heart. This is believed to help reduce physical stress. Both Chinese balls and modern rubber balls may also work through releasing stress from muscle tension. The act of squeezing or moving the balls may also help take the mind temporarily off of thoughts or events that are causing the body emotional stress.

Today, stress balls can be found in most any retail store, as well as online. The price of each stress ball will vary depending on brand names and what materials the balls are made from. Chinese balls will typically be more expensive due to the additional cost of metal over the less expensive polyurethane foam rubber.