Bilateral stimulation is a technique that involves engaging both sides of the body or brain to help manage emotions. It can include activities like tapping, hand movements, or other actions that stimulate both the left and right sides. This method is often used in therapies like EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) to reduce anxiety or process difficult memories. The idea is that by involving both sides, it may enhance the brain's ability to cope with emotions and stress.
Clinical Psychologists designed a simple yet effective method to alleviate anxiety. The bilateral stimulation stress ball method. Every time anxious thoughts arise, you alternately squeezing a stress ball with your left and right hands.
When you squeeze the ball with one hand and then the other, it engages both sides of your body. This can shift your focus away from anxious thoughts and create a calming effect. The rhythmic movement may also signal to your brain that it's time to relax, breaking the cycle of anxiety and providing a simple way to manage stress.
