Stress Management The 8 Best Stress Balls of 2022, According to a Mental Health Counselor Squeeze your way to a clearer mind By Mary K. Tatum, MS, LMHC Mary K. Tatum, MS, LMHC LinkedIn Mary K. Tatum is a licensed mental health counselor and psychotherapist and has worked in the field of psychology for over 15 years, with seven years in the private practice setting. Learn about our editorial process Updated on August 07, 2021 Medically reviewed Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and mental healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Akeem Marsh, MD Medically reviewed by Akeem Marsh, MD LinkedIn Twitter Akeem Marsh, MD, is a board-certified child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist who has dedicated his career to working with medically underserved communities. 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Many things—from your environment to genetics—can cause increased anxiety, feelings of restlessness, and ensuing rumination. Fidget toys, such as fidget spinners or stress balls, are thought to aid in distracting individuals from rumination. As such, using a stress ball as an option to expel energy and calm fidgeting resulting from anxiety might be helpful. Here, the best stress balls to help distract you from feelings of stress and anxiety, according to a licensed mental health counselor. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Stress Less Stress Balls at Amazon Jump to Review Best Color: Power Your Fun Arrgh Rainbow Giant Stress Ball at Amazon Jump to Review Best Scent: Lavender Luvies Scented Stress Balls 3-Pack at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Small Hands: MindPanda Empowering Gel Stress Ball Bundle at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Strengthening Hands: The Friendly Swede Stress Balls at Amazon Jump to Review Best Variety Pack: PP PHIMOTA Sensory Toys 28-Pack at Amazon Jump to Review Most Durable: Serenilite Stress Balls at Amazon Jump to Review Best Novelty: Malecha Knitting Mini Crochet Octopus Stress Ball at Etsy Jump to Review Best Overall: Stress Less Stress Balls with Motivational Quotes 3 Pack Amazon View On Amazon Combine a positive affirmation with a fidget outlet for a double dose of stress relief. Sold as a pack of three, these stress balls come with happy quotes written on them to help shift your thoughts from stress to positivity. Made from polyurethane foam and available in four different color options, this is a durable and anxiety-relieving option. The 11 Best Fidget Toys, According to an Expert Best Color: Power Your Fun Arrgh Rainbow Giant Stress Ball Amazon View On Amazon View On Powerurfun.com The gentle ombre of rainbow colors and larger size make this stress toy a good option for extra frustrating days. Whether you need to vent, let out aggression, or keep both hands busy at once (it's 5-inch diameter is big enough to keep both hands occupied), this is a great option. The 12 Best Stress Relief Products of 2022, According to Our Editors Best Scent: Lavender Luvies Scented Stress Balls 3-Pack Amazon View On Amazon Smells can have a direct effect on mood. Research shows that lavender has a calming influence over brain waves and neurotransmitters. These stress balls are handmade and filled with lavender flowers. They can be smelled, squeezed, and even tossed around in the air due to their lightweight and soft texture. The 12 Best Aromatherapy Candles of 2022 Best for Small Hands: MindPanda Empowering Gel Stress Ball Bundle Amazon View On Amazon Mind Panda stress balls come in packs of three, each with a different resistance level and scent. The multiple resistance options allow the customer to choose which fit feels the most comfortable and soothing. A hand-strengthening exercise guide comes with each pack. Use this option for focused strength training or for mindless fidgeting to help fight boredom or anxiety during long meetings or work assignments. Best for Strengthening Hands: The Friendly Swede Stress Balls 3 Pack Amazon View On Amazon View On Kmart.com The unique egg shape of this stress toy is designed specifically for strength training exercises and the relief of hand and joint pain. There are various color options to choose from as well as options ranging from 20 to 40 pounds of resistance. They are made from thermoplastic rubber and are designed to strengthen muscles while simultaneously easing joint pain and carpal tunnel pain. Best Variety Pack: PP PHIMOTA Sensory Toys 28-Pack Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart The need for a particular type of stress ball or fidget toy can often depend on our mood at the time, especially for kids. With 28 different toys ranging from stress balls to puzzle boxes in this variety pack, kids or adults have more than enough options to choose from. This is a great option for classroom settings or homes where multiple kids are trying to get homework done at the same time. The 10 Best Puzzles of 2022 Most Durable: Serenilite Stress Balls 3-Pack Amazon View On Amazon View On Serenilite.com Made with high-quality materials, these ergonomic stress balls feature a tear-resistant gel core and non-stick fabric for ultimate comfort. The design is made to combine color therapy and physical therapy to strengthen hands and wrists while calming anxieties and stress. Made for both kids and adults to use, this stress toy can handle your most frustrating days. Best Novelty: Malecha Knitting Mini Crochet Octopus Stress Ball Courtesy of Etsy View On Etsy A tiny, squeezable, smiling baby octopus is sure to make your day. Sold individually, they come in a variety of colors and can be used in a group or separately. These stress toys feature a fiberfill core and are covered in crochet yarn to make them extra soft. Final Verdict For the most calming effect, the Lavender Luvies Scented Stress Ball and Etsy Mini Crotchet Octopus Stress Ball are great options for both kids and adults. They are fun, well-made, and bring something light-hearted into a stressful situation. For tough, frustrating, and even angry days, the Power Your Fun Arrgh Giant Stress Ball is made to handle any type of aggression one may have stored up. What to Look For in a Stress Ball Quality of Materials: It is important to make sure a stress ball is made of durable materials to ensure lasting tension and resistance. A stress ball is not beneficial if it goes flat or becomes too soft. The materials should feel comfortable and soothing rather than sticky or slippery. Resistance: A good stress ball should fight back a bit. Strengthening hand, finger, and wrist muscles is what helps relieve joint pain from carpal tunnel, medical procedures, and arthritis. A stress ball made for strength training will have the weight resistance listed and exercise instructions included. Multiple Sensory Features: If anxiety management is the primary goal, then a stress ball with multiple sensory features like scent or colors will help calm the brain and nervous system faster and more effectively than the resistance alone. Why Trust Verywell Mind? As a licensed mental health counselor, Mary Tatum has spent over 15 years working with children, teenagers, and adults who struggle with anxiety, ADHD, trauma, and OCD symptoms. Stress balls can be a helpful and tangible option to help focus and relax our thoughts during intensely stressful situations. While we are all adjusting to the work and daily life changes, it’s important to equip ourselves with as many helpful tools and options as possible. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Struggling with stress? Our guide offers expert advice on how to better manage stress levels. Get it FREE when you sign up for our newsletter. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 2 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Hudson BF, Ogden J, Whiteley MS. Randomized controlled trial to compare the effect of simple distraction interventions on pain and anxiety experienced during conscious surgery. Eur J Pain. 2015;19(10):1447-1455. doi:10.1002/ejp.675 Koulivand PH, Khaleghi Ghadiri M, Gorji A. Lavender and the nervous system. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:1-10. doi:10.1155/2013/681304