Are Fidget Spinners Actually Helpful Stress Relievers

Are Fidget Spinners Actually Helpful Stress Relievers Have you seen many of those three-sided propeller gadgets that everyone seems to be spinning in their hands these days? Do you own several yourself? Fidget spinners have become extremely popular with kids, leading them to be known as either a silly fad, a useful trend, or a distraction worth banning from school, depending on who you ask. Theyre also touted as extremely beneficial, with makers claiming gains such as increased concentration for those with ADHD and autism spectrum issues, and relief from stress, anxiety, and even post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. But are these claims based on solid research, or are they mere marketing hype? Here is what the science may and may not demonstrate about fidget spinners. What Research Says About Fidget Spinners and Relieving Stress First off, there are no peer-reviewed scientific studies conducted on fidget spinners at this point, so such claims are not based  on a body of studies or even a single study but on extrapolation from other research that may seem similar (at least to the fidget spinner manufacturers). That said, there are a few studies and theories they may be thinking of when making these claims. Here are some findings that may support the purported benefits of these gadgets, and some that may not provide a clear link but are useful to know about: Distraction From Rumination One potential route for fidget spinners to be stress relievers is through their capacity to distract us from rumination about things we find stressful. While studies havent examined whether fidget spinners are good distractors, there is research thats looked at the effects of distraction on rumination. One study published in the Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology divided tweens and teens into three groups to see the effects of distraction, meditation, and problem-solving on rumination. Its not surprising that meditation had a positive effect in ameliorating rumination, but the distraction intervention also helped participants shrug off rumination, unlike the problem-solving activity. While the distraction in the study wasnt a fidget spinner but a listening-and-rating activity, the fact that distraction could help people steer themselves away from meditation in ways comparable to meditation is notable. Meditative Effects May Be in Store Mindfulness and meditation have been shown to have significant positive effects on stress, both everyday stress and more serious forms of stress disorders like PTSD. Fidget spinners have the capacity to be good objects of focus for mindfulness meditations, and if they encourage meditation in those who would not normally engage in meditation, this can possibly be considered a benefit of the spinner itself. Movement and ADHD Some research has found that young people who experience ADHD often benefit from movement and feel more focused after being allowed to move their large muscle groups. This isnt necessarily demonstrated to be the case with fidget spinners, though the argument can be made that any movement can serve a similar function. There is also the possibility that the benefits gained from large muscle movements are from the physical exercise involved, as there are many demonstrated benefits to exercise. Mini-Rituals Can Help Those who are on the spectrum may experience stress relief from mini-rituals, or repetitive behaviors that provide continuity and a comforting distraction. Using a fidget spinner, like a mini-meditation or other rituals, can provide this type of outlet. Normalizing a Need to Fidget One anecdotal benefit of fidget spinners is that it normalizes some behaviors that many kids, particularly those on the autism spectrum, find to be difficult to stop but also not shared by other kids in the environment. With fidget spinners, a need to fidget stops being seen as something that sets these children apart and makes them feel different, and more something that everyone is doing, a trend that they are in on, which provides social comfort for many who are just trying to fit in with their peers. Related Stress Relief Strategies In the end, if a fidget spinner helps you to feel less stressed, theres no reason not to use one. At the same time, if they irritate those around you or distract you from your work at school or on the job, its best to leave them at home. If youre looking for helpful ways to relieve stress, there are always these related strategies that may be quieter and less distracting, plus theyre not going out of style anytime soon: Doodling Studies have found that releasing your creative side in the form of doodles can be a helpful stress reliever. Anything from drawing in the margins of a notepad to enjoying a coloring book for adults to creating actual pieces of art can be great for stress relief. But doodling is probably the closest art-based activity to fidget-spinning and is simple to do. Mini-Meditation Mini-meditations, or meditations that last only a few minutes, can be a stressed and busy persons favorite technique. You can try them in several different ways. You can simply count your breaths as they move in and out of your lungs. You can notice, label, and release your thoughts for the next few minutes as they pop into your head. You can even use apps on your phone or your smartwatch to help yourself with mini-meditations throughout the day. Knitting or Crocheting Many people find that knitting, crocheting and other similar crafts like needlepoint can be wonderful stress relievers. They use the same repetitive-motion hand movements and leave people with beautiful results that allow them to express their creativity. They also provide beautiful gifts for others and make less noise than fidget spinners, though the average tween boy would probably be more comfortable with a fidget spinner in any case. Still, though, for many people, these hobbies are some of the best stress relievers. A Word From Verywell Whatever you decide on fidget spinners and other hand-focused stress relievers, simply focusing on stress relief can help you to create habits that can minimize chronic stress. And ultimately, many things can be beneficial if they personally bring you stress relief. They may not replace the need for therapy if you are suffering from an anxiety disorder or PTSD, but every bit of stress relief helps!