CLINICAL EDITOR’S COMMENTS:
RPT/Ss suggest stress release toys they
S
tress is a factor that contributes to almost every adult mental health problem (Schaefer, 2003). America has
become a stressed-out nation because of multiple and expanding sources of stressors (Miller, 2017). According to the American Psychological Association (2017), 63% of Americans report that the by the perennial stressors of money (62%), work (61%), and violence/ crime (51%). Thankfully, there is a powerful and readily available antidote to the experience of stress, namely PLAY!
I recently conducted an informal survey of 75 play therapy colleagues with RPT or RPT-S credentials. They responded to the question: “What is your favorite stress-release toy for adults?” Fifty therapists most popular choices are listed below with participants’ comments.
#1. Stress Ball Squeeze Toys (34%) A stress ball is a small, soft, malleable toy made out of gel or rubber physical tension and relieve feelings of stress. A variety of small, soft, squeezable stress balls were mentioned, but KooshTM the most popular:
balls were clearly
Sample comments: “Koosh ball is my favorite. I like smooshing it, throwing it, and not worrying that it will break most things.”
“Koosh balls. They’re soft, jiggly and wiggly. And fun to juggle and play catch with.”
“Koosh ball. One of my teen clients was having a really bad day. She didn’t even realize she walked out the door caressing it to relax. Koosh balls have that effect, they are amazing!!!”
“Adults I have worked with typically choose a stress ball from my basket, which contains balls of different textures, sizes, and tensile strengths.”
Variations of the classic “Martian Popping Thing” were also reported: “My favorite stress ball looks like a crazy person and when you squeeze it the eyes, ears, and nose pop out. It makes people smile and laugh and thus reduces their stress level.”
#3. Fidget Toys (20%) Fidget toys, such as hand spinners, tangle release toys, and small metal balls, are self-regulation tools to help strengthen focus and attention and to promote calming. Fidget toys offer a less harmful way to expend nervous energy than nail or lip biting, hair pulling, or skin picking.
Sample comments: “Fidget toys allow adults who normally don’t have opportunities to play to have moments to engage in playful, distracting activity. They are also a way for adults with children to connect with their kids.”
with while we talk. The most popular item is a mini-slinky.”
“Spinner toys, especially ones that light up!”
“The TheraFlow ‘Foot Massager Roller’ to roll the stress out of one’s feet—with shoes off.”
www.a4pt.org | December 2019 | PLAYTHERAPY | 29
#2. Sensory Materials (28%) Sensory play includes any activity that stimulates the senses of touch, smell, sight, hearing, and movement. The tactile feel of sand, clay, and putty is soothing and pleasurable to some people across the life cycle!
Sample comments: in a sand tray.”
“Combing the sand in a mini sand tray garden.”
“Clay. Love the texture, to pound, create, and destroy, part of Mother Earth!” “Playdough to squeeze, punch, and poke holes in.” “My standby—magnetic putty or slime!”
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