“I bring it everywhere with me,” sophomore Rafaella Castro said.
Created in 2022 by US-based brand Schylling, the NeeDoh stress balls have been a viral phenomenon ever since. Their motto is “Squeeze it, pull it, smush it and then watch it return to its original shape;” a NeeDoh stress ball typically features a rubbery outer layer that is filled with a non-toxic, jelly-like substance on the inside. When squeezing a NeeDoh ball, it molds in your hand, providing a calming and comforting sensation.
“I have three, my favorite is my iceberg- it’s blue and medium-sized and so squishy,” sophomore Kaylee Basora Gomez said. “If you play with it for a long time, it turns even softer than it is and I love it.”
NeeDohs are affordable, portable, simplistic and can be enjoyed by people of all ages, from children to adults. “I have two, I keep one at home and I take one out that I bring to school and outings,” junior Paige Kaluzienski said.
They are very versatile, varying in different sizes, shapes, textures, fillings and colors. From classic round balls to more whimsical designs like fruits and animals, there is a NeeDoh to suit everyone’s preferences. Additionally, this makes them easy to use in all settings such as school, work, home and more. “It’s basically always by my side,” Basora Gomez said.
The NeeDoh’s widespread popularity has begun to affect RM, as more students have started bringing theirs to school. “I usually just bring mine to school,” junior Rachel LeVine said.
Sophomore Vannessa Barros had a similar experience with the popularity of NeeDohs at RM. “A lot of people ask to play with my NeeDoh when I have it in class, but I don’t mind it. I just give it to them,” Barros said.
However, the NeeDoh stress balls are more than just a toy; stress is an inevitable part of life that many students struggle with. “It really soothes me when I’m in class,” LeVine said.
Whether stemming from academic pressures, a heavy workload or assignments piling up, repeatedly squeezing the stress ball can give users a sense of mindfulness, relaxation and ease, while also providing a physical output for nervous energy. “It helps me when I’m stressed out and I just need to get my mind off schoolwork,” Barros said.
NeeDohs help to relieve boredom and anxiety, promoting focus and attention. “It helps me focus in school because I sometimes get distracted and fidgety during long lectures and lessons,” Castro said.
Stress balls can be used to manage sensory needs as well. “I have a bad habit of picking my nails when I’m nervous or I’m bored, and it helps me not pick my nails,” Kaluzienski said.
NeeDoh stress balls offer a simple and effective way to enhance well-being. They can be kept on a desk or in a drawer due to their portability, and their satisfying feel and wide range of visuals make them appealing to many. “It helps me not play with my hair all the time and my favorite part is that it feels good,” LeVine said.
