#4. Bubbles & Pinwheels (10%) Blowing bubbles and using pinwheels is an enjoyable, relaxing activity, that can help people of all ages regulate and control their breathing. There is something particularly magical about watching shining soap bubbles float and pop!


Sample comments: “Blowing bubbles can promote slow, deep breathing, and smiles and laughter as well.”


“Bubble-blowing helps adults control and focus their breathing – and feels playful.”


“Bubbles are portable, inexpensive, and often have positive associations from one’s youth.”


“Bubbles!!! It’s surprising how they bring out the inner child!”


#5. Coloring Books (8%) Coloring is a popular and relaxing activity for adults and teens. In recent years, many commercial, adult coloring book options have become available. Bea (2015) provided three reasons why adult coloring activities may be relaxing for some people: First coloring moves people’s attention from themselves to focus it on the present moment; second, this simple activity relaxes the brain by occupying awareness; third, it is a low-stakes and pleasurable experience for many with no consequences attached.


Sample comments: “Coloring books designed for adults!”


“Adult coloring books with Sharpie markers.” “Adult coloring books to relax!”


Finally, the participants also mentioned humor, playful exercise, puzzles, and magnet sculpture desk toys as additional, playful antidotes for stress.


Summary and Conclusions


 during the day. Stress-release toys and play activities for adults are simple, convenient, and effective ways for adults to ease into relaxation when anxiety arises. The two most common stress-release toys named 


                  Because there are numerous types and designs of playful stress-release 


30 | PLAYTHERAPY December 2019 | www.a4pt.org ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Charles Schaefer, PhD, RPT-S is a licensed clinical psychologist and Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey. He is co-founder of APT, was its   He subsequently founded the International Play Therapy Study Group in Wroxton, England. CESchaefer@aol.com


 be feasible for them to take short (5-10 minute) play breaks throughout the day to relieve stress and support their mental and physical health.


The use of stress-release toys reflects the trend for play therapists today to expand the scope of their practice from play therapy that is focused on children’s mental health disorders to include the use of


therapeutic


play to help people across the life cycle cope with the stresses and problems of everyday living. RPT/S responses to this survey provide


guidance for selecting popular play toys and materials to help adults, including ourselves, cope better with the symptoms of stress.


toys on adults. Accumulating clinical


To date, researchers have not conducted a        experience,


however, indicates that they can be effective and are not a  to adults’ mental health by suggesting that adults use such practical, playful options for alleviating stress.


References American Psychological Association. (2017). Stress in America: The state of our nation. Stress in AmericaTM


survey. Retrieved from https://www. apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2017/state-nation.pdf


Bea, S. (2015, November 15). 3 reasons adult coloring can actually relax your brain [Web log post]. Retrieved from https://health.clevelandclinic. org/3-reasons-adult-coloring-can-actually-relax-brain/


Miller, A. (2017). A stressed-out America seeks comfort in stress balls. Retrieved from https://www.asicentral.com/news/web-excusive/ august-2017/a-stressed-out-america-seeks-comfort-in-stress-balls.


Schaefer, C. Ed. (2003). Play therapy with adults. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.


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