Handy public punching bags installed on Manhattan streets to help New Yorkers vent their frustrations

A US design studio has installed a number of "public punching bags" around Manhattan to give New Yorkers the chance to take out their everyday stress on the streets of the city that never sleeps.

The initiative from donttakethisthewrongway - a collective based out of Savannah, Georgia - unveiled the project inspired by boxing training as their contribution to the New York City Design Week 2019.

As the group explains:

The concept explores designing common spaces for the frustrations we all face.

Frustrations that go beyond designed systems and happen, well, because we are human.

The public punching bag offers an outlet for these emotions as a means to maybe develop a healthier way to address personal and collective issues in a public setting.

A Gallup poll last month found that Americans are among the most stressed people in the world, with the number of people reporting anger, stress and worry at a 10-year high, according to The New York Times.

Around 55 percent of adults said they had experienced stress during “a lot of the day” prior to the survey being conducted, compared with just 35 percent globally.

About 45 percent meanwhile said they had felt “a lot” of worry the day before, compared with a global average of 39 percent.

All of which suggests the punching bags are a good idea.

More: A psychology teacher made a list of 101 ways to cope with stress