Zen and the Art of Bubble Wrap

Experts also say the enjoyment of bubble wrap may be tied to human evolution because early humans had to be on their toes all the time. They needed to be ready to run from a predator at a moment’s notice. Today, people spend a lot of time sitting, especially at school and at work. As a result, the body may build a lot of muscle tension from lack of movement.

Popping bubble wrap helps relax that muscle tension. It reduces stress and anxiety. When you dwell on things that upset you, it gets harder to salvage your day. Bubble wrap is a great distraction so you’re not left with negative thoughts. In fact, studies have shown that, sometimes, the human brain receives feel-good chemicals like dopamine after popping bubble wrap. So that may be why it feels so satisfying!

Compared to meditation, popping bubble wrap can help you de-stress faster. This is because popping a row of bubbles gives you instant gratification. A study suggests that popping bubble wrap for 60 seconds relieved as much stress as a 33-minute massage. Though that is still up for debate, you can’t deny the simple joy of popping bubble wrap sheets. It’s a universal truth that people of all ages love to pop bubble wrap.