A DIY stress ball you can make in less than five minutes

Stress hits just about everybody, whether you're a mom worrying about your job or a mouse struggling to make new friends. And it's more than annoying; it can lead to physical problems.

“When we face challenges such as illness, loss, divorce or even problems with our children, we become stressed," Israeli meditation expert Doron Libshtein told From The Grapevine. "This stress can cause us to have shallow breathing, lethargy, physical pain, feelings of sadness and even depression."

That's where techniques to deal with stress come in, like meditation or, if you're lazy like me, stress balls.

If you're so stressed that you need to squeeze a stress ball, then you probably don't have time to shop for one. Luckily, stress balls are incredibly simple things, and you can make one at home in minutes with household items. To prove it, I made one out of rice and a sock. And you can too!

(Photo: Ilana E. Strauss)

Make sure the filler you use (rice, flour, sand) is bigger than the pores in the fabric you use (socks, balloons, washcloths). Otherwise, the filler could fall through the fabric, make a mess on your floor and cause you even more stress.

I started by convincing my lovely model and roommate, Sarah, to cut open a bag of rice.

(Photo: Ilana E. Strauss/Model: Sarah Quigley)

Then she poured the rice into the sock. I know, it's already getting pretty complicated. Just trust me.

(Photo: Ilana E. Strauss/Model: Sarah Quigley)

Then she, believe it or not, tied the sock.

(Photo: Ilana E. Strauss/Model: Sarah Quigley)

Now it's a stress ball! Did I just totally blow your mind?

(Photo: Ilana E. Strauss/Model: Sarah Quigley)