What are anti-stress pillows and how to use them: features and purpose

The pace of life increases every year, you want to do everything: make a successful career, create a full-fledged family, enjoy a happy life. Often the body cannot withstand this race and a person becomes stressed. To remove it, and most importantly prevent it from appearing, know how to relax. A good helper in this matter is the popular anti-stress pillow. Bright models can be found on the shelves of children's toy stores, in home goods departments and in fun gift shops.

What is it for?

What is the name of such a thing: anti-stress pillow, muffin pillow, toy, crusher. Why it’s useful:

Improves well-being in any situation. Many diseases develop under stress. The product is aimed at eliminating it.
Increased working endurance. Good rest and stress-free sleep improve the quality of work.
Relaxation – when you squeeze and unclench your fingers on the product, relaxation comes after a while.
An opportunity to forget about problems for a while. Thoughts calm down, difficulties fade into the background, lightness and thoughts about “nothing” appear.
An anti-stress pillow improves your mood. Bright, cheerful design helps redirect emotions to positive ones.

What else is it needed for:

develops fine motor skills;
versatility - suitable for sleeping, playing, traveling;
decorates the room, immediately catches the eye, gives the room individuality;
has a positive effect on the nerve endings of the arms, neck and head during games and sleep;
speeds up thought processes;
Children love these pillows, their versatility and pleasant feel.

The benefits of mnushka are obvious. There are no contraindications for its use.

Flaws

Anti-stress pillows do not have any significant disadvantages. The only negative is the inconvenience of care. In order to clean the dirt, it is necessary to rip the seams and remove the filler.

It's a difficult process. It is important to ensure that the balls do not fly apart. If some of the filler gets into the human respiratory organs, it is dangerous to health.

Poor quality fabric for covers causes allergies. Safe and high-quality products are expensive. This accessory has no other disadvantages.

Fillers

Polystyrene is often used to fill the internal space. Pillows with polystyrene beads are the most common. The material is foamed and turned into small granules. Characteristics:

light material, a small child can pick up a large toy;
does not absorb liquid;
does not go outside;
not interesting to microorganisms, fungus, mold, dust mites;
does not break, keeps its shape throughout the entire period of use;
distributed evenly under pressure, taking the shape of the object;
a pillow filled with synthetic material balls is non-allergenic and will not harm people with asthma or children;
inexpensive, does not require special care.

There are products with silicone balls. They are safe for everyone, including children. Properties of silicone filler:

does not absorb moisture;
soft, suitable for daytime and nighttime sleep;
Suitable for hand, machine wash, cleaning;
do not collect and repel dust;
Antimicrobial coating protects against harmful bacteria.

What else are anti-stress pillows filled with: buckwheat husks and wool are used from natural materials. Such pillows are more expensive and more difficult to care for. With poor care, the shape is lost and the beneficial properties disappear. The version with husks will be much heavier than the synthetic one; it’s definitely not worth playing pillow fights with them. Husk increases blood circulation, relaxes the entire spine, and eliminates snoring.

Filling for anti-stress pillows with camel hair is useful for people with the following diseases:

arthritis;
arthrosis;
rheumatism;
diseases in the nasopharynx area.

Read about: a pillow with photographs and inscriptions is an original gift

The balls are pleasant to knead, this action relaxes and improves fine motor skills. Sleeping on such pillows improves blood circulation in the head.

Cases

They are usually made from cotton or polyester. The popular material supplex contains up to 80% lycra. The rest is chemical fibers of nylon, nylon, microfiber, polyester or elastane. The supplex stretches perfectly in all directions and returns to its original state.

After washing it does not stretch or shrink. Dries quickly and does not wrinkle.

This is an environmentally friendly material that is pleasant to the touch. It is even used to make sportswear, circus clothing, and dance outfits for children and adults.

The fabric does not fade or fade. Suitable for making bright products.

How to make an anti-stress ball at home

It is not necessary to buy an anti-stress toy in the store. You can make a calming ball yourself from various available materials.

From flour

To make a ball you will need 2 balloons and 1 kg of flour.

For the procedure, prepare a funnel or the cut off neck of a plastic bottle. Pull the ball over the neck and fill it with flour, not filling 0.5 cm to the edges, compact the flour with a pencil. Tie the ball and decorate the finished ball with a painted face or bangs made of colored threads.

To prevent the ball from changing shape and breaking, insert the finished toy into another empty ball and tie it.

From orbiz

Orbiz are soft polymer adsorbents that can also act as a filler. For the procedure, prepare 2 balls and 300 g of orbiz. Stretch the neck of the ball and place the orbiz inside one by one. After filling the ball with the substance, tie it and carefully trim the tail.

From buckwheat

Buckwheat is useful not only as a food product, but also as a massage substance. To make anti-stress you need 130-150 g of raw cereal and a balloon. Like other homemade balls, fill the ball to the brim with buckwheat and tie the edge. The toy is ready.

From packages

A simplified version of the ball can be made from garbage bags.

Crumple 9-10 bags into a ball. Use tape to secure their shape. The toy is ready.

From cling film

In this option, plastic bags can be replaced with cling film.

Unwind the film roll and tear it into small pieces. From the finished material, crumple up several balls of arbitrary shape. To secure, wrap the finished balls with tape.

Shapes, sizes

Anti-stress pillows with balls inside come in different shapes. Classic square and rectangular. Unusual looking:

circle, triangle, cylinder;
heart;
cartoon characters - minions, Smeshariki, fixies;
cat head, octopus with tentacles;
pillow in the shape of a fish, flower, car;
a donut or ice cream cone for food lovers;
semicircle under the neck - for traveling, in the car, when watching TV;
cushion under the neck - those who sleep on their sides will like it;
headrests – for babies or adults during sedentary work.

There are many more different types. Everyone will find something suitable for themselves.

Pillow sizes:

classic 50x70 or 50x50 are used for sleeping;
small ones - in the form of toys or under the neck;
large - up to half the size of the bed, comfortable for full placement on them or for hugs.

If you don’t like anything in the store, they sew it to order. The drawing is optionally applied in the form of photo printing. Some people do it with their own hands, it’s not difficult.

Appearance and technical characteristics

The antistress effect is achieved largely due to the appearance of the product. A variety of pillows helps you choose the best option for yourself. They are often made in the shape of animals: tigers, dogs, pigs and hippos.

Anti-stress pillows for children can be in the form of multi-heroes.

Cat pillows are very popular; they are cute, perky and funny.

All types are always distinguished by their brightness, the colors do not fade for a long time, they also come in different sizes, and the fillers also differ. More details about what they are made of will be discussed below.

Handmade production

First you need to prepare the necessary components:

textile;
threads;
needle;
filler;
pattern
optional decorative elements, lock.

There are many options for patterns on the Internet, from basic to the most complex. Step-by-step making of an anti-stress pillow with your own hands:

Cut pieces of fabric according to the pattern. It is better to sew inside out, so you need to leave 5 cm for ease of turning.
Sew them tightly by hand or on a machine, leaving room for the filling. It is advisable to sew a lock in this place so that you can pull out the filler if necessary, or add it if there is a shortage.
Turn inside out, fill and sew/fasten. Decorate as desired.

We recommend

It's worth trying the simple option for the first time. For example, an oval and separately the ears of an owl or a cat. Just paint the face. Special eyes are glued on.

They also make simple rolls or semicircles under the head. You can sew it for the whole family and feel free to go on a trip.

Anti-stress from homemade slime

The so-called slime or lizun is very pleasant to squish with your hands. You can also make such a device yourself using our instructions. If desired, in addition to the main ingredients, you can add dyes or glitter to the mass.

From sodium tetraborate

The substance is known to us as borax. It is widely used in industry, for example, in wood production, so it is ideal for making slime.

In addition to borax you will need:

1 package of stationery glue;
200 ml water;
dye.

Manufacturing scheme:

Pour 2 teaspoons of sodium tetraborate with warm water.
Mix thoroughly.
Add dye and glue.
Stir the mixture again with your hands.

The result should be a viscous mass that does not stick to your hands.

From iron oxide

Components:

40 ml iron oxide;
7 drops of liquid phosphorus;
1 pack of PVA glue;
20 g boric alcohol;
food coloring.

Procedure:

Dissolve boric alcohol in water.
Add a package of PVA glue.
At the next stage, pour in liquid phosphorus and iron oxide.
Add dye and mix thoroughly.

To check the correct preparation, spread the resulting mixture onto polyethylene and hold a magnet to it. The mixture will rise slightly.

From shampoo

You will need:

1 glass of shampoo;
100 g Titan glue;
dye or glitter.

Manufacturing scheme:

Pour shampoo into the container.
Place glitter or dye in the center.
Stir the mixture so that no lumps form.
Add glue.
Using a wooden spatula or spoon, stir thoroughly again.

The mixture will be smooth and viscous.

From shaving foam

To make slime you will need:

400 g shaving foam;
1 pack of PVA glue;
20 g borax;
1 glass of water;
dye.

Cooking instructions:

Boil the water.
Dissolve borax in boiling water.
Add remaining ingredients.
Knead the mixture with your hands until it becomes homogeneous.

From toothpaste

Mix 1 tube of toothpaste with dye in a fireproof container. Warm the mixture on the stove for 15 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and let the mixture cool. Thoroughly knead the cooled mass with your hands dipped in vegetable oil.

From pencil glue

You will need:

1 tube of glue in a pencil;
50 g borax;
1 glass of water;
dyes, glitter.

Manufacturing scheme:

Pour boiling water over the borax and stir until completely dissolved.
Meanwhile, remove the glue from the pencil and place it in a heat-resistant container.
Heat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.
Combine all ingredients and mix thoroughly.

From Nutella

To make slime you will need 200 g of Nutella and 100 g of chewing marmalade.

Melt the marmalade in the microwave or in a water bath until smooth. Add Nutella to the mixture and mix thoroughly for 4-6 minutes.

Selection, application

There are different anti-stress pillows and choose them depending on their purpose:

A bright, cool pillow in the shape of an animal, a movie hero, is suitable as a gift for adult men or women. For a birthday it will be suitable in the form of a zodiac sign, if a person is not skeptical about this. There are options of unusual shapes - for example, in the form of breasts. Employees of a certain company can order a batch with a logo.

pillow-antistress-30

They choose for the child based on their interests. There is no need to buy a girl a pink one with glitter, or a boy one in the shape of a car. If your interests are unknown, it is better to buy something neutral - a toy pillow in the shape of a cat, puppy or famous cartoon character. Children can use them in everyday games or sleep like soft toys.
If the purchase will further decorate the room, it should match the color and design. This item is bought with a silk, bamboo or synthetic cover.

Anti-stress sleeping pillows are chosen based on their hardness and comfort. The head should not sag too much. There should be a pleasant feeling. The quality of sleep will improve, neck and back pain will decrease. These are standard square, rectangular products or rollers.

Treatment options contain carbon threads. They are made from carbon molecules. They normalize blood pressure, activate blood circulation in the brain, and remove negative energy accumulated during the day. There are pillows with silver threads. Removes static electricity and eliminates insomnia. They set the body up for rest and relax it.

The travel pillow can be in the form of a cushion. But it is more convenient in the shape of a semicircle with a hole, especially for drivers. This is a comfortable neck pillow that will relax your neck. The item is taken with you into the car, plane or train.

Pregnant women benefit from a relaxation pillow. It improves the quality of sleep, relaxes the back and neck. Helps swollen, heavy legs. For pregnant women, a larger filler is used. At first it seems harsh, but it relieves women of these problems well.

The development of fine motor skills is important at any age. Children begin to think, think, read, speak and write faster. In adults, memory improves, brain aging slows down, and the nervous system relaxes.

We recommend

If pillowcase pillows are used for sleeping, pillowcases are necessary in any case. Even if the shape is non-standard. You'll have to work hard and sew it yourself or go to a workshop.

How to choose an anti-stress pillow

Give priority attention to the reliability of the seams, the service life of the product depends on this. Even a small hole will cause the balls to spill out.
Shape and design. Mnushki with photo printing fit harmoniously into any interior, however, when purchasing as a gift, take into account the taste of the future owner. A car driver will find a geometric pillow useful; a young lady will be pleased to receive a heart or flowers. Most often, the product is decorated only with an image, without additional elements, so that nothing interferes with calming the nerves.
For sleep, it is better to purchase a large massager. It's unlikely that you'll sleep on it often, but sometimes a head and neck massage can be helpful.

Care

Inexpensive synthetic products do not require special care. Wash them by hand or in a machine. If there is a zipper, the balls are taken out and the cover is washed separately without any problems. The granules are washed separately, only by hand:

make a soap solution, liquid or laundry soap or shampoo will do;
place the balls in it so that the water completely covers it;
leave for 5-10 minutes;
stir the soapy liquid with your hands;
carefully drain the water so as not to lose the balls;
Rinse thoroughly, no foam should remain.

Hand wash one piece:

pour warm water into a basin up to 40 degrees;
add detergent for delicate fabrics, stir;
place the relaxation pillow in the basin and wash it as usual;
rinse in running water;
squeeze a little and put to dry in a ventilated room on a horizontal surface.

Other drying options: hang by the ears on clothespins, wrap in a terry towel.

Important

If the water is very dirty during the washing process, replace it with clean water, add detergent and wash it a second time.

Machine washable anti-stress pillow:

put it in a pillowcase and sew it up (or zip it up, if you have one);
select the manual (gentle) program;
use a product for delicate fabrics;
turn off spin or leave 400 rpm;
after washing, squeeze lightly and send to dry, as in the first method.

We recommend

In this case, instead of a bag, a pillowcase is used so that if the product with granules ruptures, they will not clog inside the machine and spoil it.

The use of bleaching and aggressive detergents is not allowed for washing. Decorative items are washed twice a year. The pillow they sleep on is the same - after all, they put a pillowcase on it. The toy should be washed once every month or two, especially if it belongs to a child.

A fresh stain is wiped with a sponge with liquid or laundry soap or dish soap. If it is heavily soiled, leave it for 10 minutes. Rinse the soft item completely under the tap or wash the cleaned part. Be sure to remove stains before washing.

Some general tips:

the stray filler for anti-stress pillows is taken out of the case and combed with a large comb;
drip a little of your favorite essential oil onto the washed, dried item in a corner, the smell will remain until the next wash;
If the cover is good, but the filling has deteriorated and cannot be restored, buy a new one - it is inexpensive.

Once you buy a pillow, you will never want to part with it. The product will become a faithful companion at home, at work, and on a trip. Some people buy several different ones so that there is a soft mush everywhere.

DIY anti-stress pillows

You can make your own anti-stress massager.

For this you will need

Elastic fabric. Look for as much lycra, elastane or nylon in the composition as possible, this will ensure that the material will stretch in any direction and not deform.

Pieces of fabric and felt for sewing a pillow

Decide what shape you want to give the fly. The easiest way is to make geometric shapes: a circle, a rectangle, a triangle; they will make an excellent smiley face, SpongeBob, or a bird from the computer game “Angry Birds”. You can also make simple patterns for any animal in the shape of a circle or square with ears. In general, show your imagination and involve your child! Children enjoy playing with bright and soft animals.

Owl pattern with a straight bottom for easy sewing of a zipper

Get to work.

Start by preparing a drawing on paper, cut out this drawing and transfer it with chalk to the fabric. Don’t forget that you need to cut out 2 symmetrical sides from the fabric, retreating a couple of centimeters from the edge.

We trace the pattern on the wrong side of the fabric for the pillowcase and for the bedspread, leave seam allowances, cut out parts of the owl from both types of fabric

We cut out the eyes and nose from felt, lay them on and sew them on with a zigzag

We make eyelashes from artificial leather and glue them to the eyes

Finish the bottom cut of the fabric with an overlock or zigzag stitch, fold the edges inside out and attach one part of the zipper, covering the teeth halfway, then the other

Hidden fastener sewn into the pillow

We connect the parts with a straight stitch, folding them with their right sides inward

Turn it right side out

We sew on the legs of our owl, bend the edge, and stitch again

An item in which the child himself took part in sewing will always evoke pleasant memories.

We make a second pillowcase in a similar way, fill it with a special filler and get two anti-stress pillow toys

A case filled with granules is not a cure for nervous conditions, but it can help you relax a little and take your mind off things. In addition, you can’t look at soft stress toys without smiling; they lift your spirits just by looking at them.