Stress Relief Toys: Do They Really Work?

Are you feeling stressed? If you go to school, have a job, are raising a family, are caring for a sick or elderly relative, or have a credit card debt, your answer is probably a definite yes. And, if you are looking for ways to relieve your feelings of tension and anxiety, stress relief toys just might be the solution.

Stress has been called a modern day epidemic. Everyone seems to be suffering from this problem for one reason or another. So it’s no surprise that products designed to help combat this condition have become a major industry. In fact, stress relief toys are becoming more popular every day.

But do they really work?

What Do These Toys Do?

Despite the name, stress toys aren’t simply designed for people to play and have fun with. They are actually meant to serve many purposes.

For one thing, they occupy your mind. It’s very easy to tell someone to sit down and relax. But, if you are feeling tense or anxious about something, it probably won’t be long before you start thinking about what has you stressed in the first place.

However, if you’re bouncing a rubber ball, or playing with a yoyo, your mind will be on that rather than what is causing your anxiety.

But, while the toy occupies your mind, it shouldn’t require much mental effort. So, while you are thinking about what you’re doing, you’re thinking about it in a relaxed way.

They Should Be Fun and Enjoyable

There are a lot of stress toys that say they can help relieve your stress. But if you don’t enjoy it enough to use them, or you don’t have fun with them, you won’t get much benefit from them.

Some people find keeping a little herb garden in their kitchen or office relaxing. Taking a minute or two away from their busy day to care for the herbs can help calm their frazzled nerves. However, if you don’t care much for gardening or herbs, you probably won’t have much interest in caring for an herb garden. So it will sit there, untouched, and won’t do you much good.

Do you like Rubik’s Cubes? Some people find them to be great stress relievers. And they can be effective, if you can stay calm and relaxed while doing them. However, if trying to solve these puzzles makes you feel frustrated, and has you gritting your teeth in annoyance, it probably isn’t the right stress reliever for you.

“Have One Week, Will Relax” Your 7 days program to Stress management

They say there’s more than one way to skin a cat. The same goes when you start tearing your hair out with all the frustration, grief, anxiety, and yes, stress. It’s a state of mental conditioning that is like taking that bitter pill down your throat, causing you to lose your sense of self, and worse your sanity. Just thinking about it can drive anyone off the edge.

And they say that the proactive ones are already living off the edge.

As one stressed-out person to another, I know how it feels, and believe me there are many variants when it comes to stress.

Coping with life, and carrying the problems that may or may not belong to you can scratch away the little joy and happiness that you can carry once you head out that door.

There are several ways to manage stress.

The following is a 7 day course to get you living a better stress free life.

1. All Stress Is Not Bad- Make stress your friend! Based on the body’s natural “fight or flight” response, that burst of energy will enhance your performance at the right moment. I’ve yet to see a top sportsman totally relaxed before a big competition. Use stress wisely to push yourself that little bit harder when it counts most.

2. Avoid Stressed Out People- stressed people tend to spread it around with their attitude. Try to avoid too much interaction with these people. An alternative is to offer to help them manage their stress more effectively.

3. Find A Mentor- what better individual to learn from than someone who manages stress well and always has their act together. When people around are losing their head, who keeps calm? What are they doing differently? What is their attitude? What language do they use? Are they trained and experienced? Figure it out from afar or sit them down for a chat. Learn from the best stress managers and copy what they do.

4. Take A Deep Breath- This is something I’ve learned from a gym instructor: You can trick your body into relaxing by using heavy breathing. Breathe in slowly for a count of 7 then breathe out for a count of 11. Repeat the 7-11 breathing until your heart rate slows down, your sweaty palms dry off and things start to feel more normal.

5. Don’t Dwell On What If- It is possible to tangle yourself up in a stress knot all by yourself. “If this happens, then that might happen and then we’re all up the creek!” Most of these things never happen, so why waste all that energy worrying needlessly?

Give stress thought-trains the red light and stop them in their tracks. Okay so it might go wrong – how likely is that, and what can you do to prevent it?

6. Know What Triggers Your Stress- Presentations, interviews, meetings, criticism, tight deadlines, family, friends, and finances can all contribute to your stress. Make your own list of stress trigger points or hot spots. Do you need to avoid stimulants that may exacerbate stress? Knowing what causes you stress is powerful information that you can take action on. Be sure to consider the effect needing extra skills, training, or other resources may have on your stress level.

7. Take Some Me Time Daily- stop burning the candle at both ends. A lack of sleep, poor diet and no exercise does not represent a healthy lifestyle. on our body and mind.

So having stress can be a total drag, but that should not hinder us to find the inner peace of mind that we have wanted for a long time. In any case, one could always go to the Bahamas and bask under the s