Stress is rising in our country, and further proof can be found in a surprising place: ESP searches for “stress balls.”

Analysis by ASI found that ESP searches in 2016 for stress-ball related products were up over 45% from 2013.

In addition, Google searches in the U.S. for stress balls spiked sharply last September, accelerating a gradual increase in searches that began in July of 2014. Google Trends data also shows rising searches for the word “anxiety” starting in 2011 and peaking in January of this year.

The results may correlate with recent studies identifying rising levels of stress.

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, the rates of college undergraduates with anxiety have increased. The association’s 2015 survey found that 40 million adults suffer from anxiety disorders and report that on average they experienced their first episode at age 22, which falls in their prime college years. Citing the onset of stress from coursework, career search, and overall pressure to get life sorted straight, counselors working on college campuses have noticed the growing need for treatment.

In addition, last year’s contentious election has raised national levels of stress, according to the American Psychological Association. Its “Stress in America” survey in August 2016 showed that more than half of Americans (57%) reported that the current political climate was a significant source of stress, with social media conversations contributing to the distress. Even more remarkably, a subsequent survey in January this year found that in just five months, overall stress levels increased from 4.8 to 5.1 on a 10-point scale. For reference, a 3.6 is what they recommend as a healthy amount of stress.

Why use stress balls? “Stress balls can be very effective when utilized to combat anxiety,” says Dr. Jared Heathman, a Houston psychiatrist. “Upon squeezing the ball, our brain engages motor neurons in a conscious effort to tighten hand muscles. Such effort and concentration can distract the brain from worrying as much about stressors.”

What makes stress balls such an effective promotional product is that they are cost effective and highly customizable. It gives end buyers another reason to choose this item, which can be both fun and helpful. Chris Duffy, marketing director at Ariel Premium Supply Inc. (asi/36730), says that his company offers over 900 different shaped stress balls and finds that they are commonly purchased as giveaways for places like college fairs.

More importantly, although the supplier’s sales of stress balls don’t seemingly correlate with specific times of the year, Duffy acknowledges there has been growth. “We’ve experienced very nice, steady, continued growth so far this year, even though one might believe it’s a fairly mature product category,” Duffy said.

Distributor Steven Flaughers, owner of Proforma 3rd Degree Marketing (asi/300094), does see that stress ball sales spike during late summer and into November. He points out that stress balls allow for a great deal of creativity and customization for clients with more staying power than plain alternatives. During the election, Flaughers says he saw clients playing off that theme with stress balls that read, “Don’t let the election stress you out,” and stayed focused around the idea that people were stressed this past November.

End buyers seek these products because of the relief they provide to anyone dealing with anxiety and stress, even if momentarily. If stress levels continue to rise, to paraphrase the famous Coke commercial, we’d like to buy America a stress ball.

Stress Ball Photo Gallery

Courtesy of Amazon and Political Necessities

Courtesy of Ariel Promotions

Courtesy of Ariel Promotions

Courtesy of Ariel Promotions

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