“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11
DISCLAIMER: I am not a licensed psychologist, psychiatrist or trained mental health professional of any kind. Everything I write is based on my own personal experience with coming to terms with my differences and adjusting to how my brain works. Please do not take my word as gospel of any kind – these posts are only meant to help further open the dialogue around mental health and dispelling the stigma around mental illnesses and disabilities.
I am sure you remember that phase a couple of years ago when every child you knew was constantly spinning a triangular piece of plastic called a fidget spinner. Some would light up, some had little rubber pop sockets, and some would make noises. These were often confiscated by teachers, parents, and other adults in positions of authority who were agitated by the constant whrrrrrrrrrrr noises the contraptions made.
While this trend has died down significantly among the general population, there are still small spaces on the Internet devoted to fidget toys, and the range and quality of these toys have continued to develop. I have even bought an assortment of fidgets from Amazon and shared them with my friends, who all loved them more than any almost-grown college student had a right to.
Table of Contents:
History of Fidgeting
If you think about it, fidgeting is not a new phenomenon. I know that some older adults can get fed up with kids for using the spinners or the popping mats, but this is not a habit unique to this generation. We have been annoying classmates and coworkers for years by rapidly clicking our ballpoint pens at our desks or popping our chewing gum while it is in our mouths. In a way, this is that cheap old-school fidgeting. Kids nowadays are now just given more brightly colored and marketable fidget tools.
The creation of fidget toys dates back hundreds of years. As long as humans have existed, we have dealt with stress and needed outlets to release this suffocating feeling. From ancient times to the present day, fidget toys have undergone various transformations, adapting to the needs and preferences of different cultures.
The Origins of Fidget Toys
In ancient civilizations, people used simple objects like stones, shells, and clay balls as primitive fidget toys. These handheld objects were believed to promote relaxation and improve concentration during meditation and contemplation practices. As time went on, fidget toys evolved and became more elaborate.
During medieval times in Greece, worry beads, strings of beads meant to be rolled between the fingers, became popular. They were used as a tool for stress relief and were often associated with prayer or meditation. The repetitive motion of manipulating the beads was believed to help calm the mind and promote mindfulness. Now, prayer beads are related to many different cultures and religions worldwide.
In the 20th century, fidget toys took on a new form with the invention of stress balls. They were created by New York TV writer Alex Carswell. They are designed to be squeezed and molded in the hand, providing a tactile and stress-relieving experience. These toys gained popularity as a way to promote focus and concentration and, as the name suggests, to relieve stress.
The Science of the Fidget
According to an article in The Scientific American, “In one preliminary study looking at stress ball use, sixth graders who used these fidget toys during instruction independently reported that their “attitude, attention, writing abilities, and peer interaction improved.”
Although no study definitively says, “playing with a fidget spinner will make your child pay attention and subsequently get better grades in school!”. If so, every mom would pack those little plastic gadgets into their students’ backpacks and lunchboxes.
Neurodivergent Fidgeting
As someone with ADHD, depression, and generalized anxiety disorder, I love fidget toys. My favorite way to fidget, keeping my fingers busy during an important lecture, is by making friendship bracelets. Specifically, the bracelets you can weave on those little round looms (called Kumihimo). I enjoy this method of fidgeting because I am I able to make something. Also I give the completed bracelets to friends and family, so the activity feels very personally rewarding.
I have the habit of picking at my skin when I don’t have something to do with my hands. This often results in me having acne scars and equally annoying scabs. Using fidgets, both conventional and non-conventional, has helped me keep my fingers away from my face. Additionally, it has helped me with concentration.
I make bracelets while in lectures, and since I can keep my fingers occupied and my jittering to a minimum, I absorb the information better. The tactile element of fidgeting is very helpful for keeping my mind from wandering. The repetition of a simple action means I only have to think about what our professor is saying.
You might be thinking, this is all great and I want to try using one of these things, but which one is right for me? Well, I am so glad you asked! Here are a few of the standout varieties that I have found especially enjoyable. These are all available online or in toy stores.
Kinds of Fidget Toys
Fidget Spinner
Stress Ball
Pop Fidget
Fidget Slug
(These are just a few examples, there are many, MANY more out there).
Fortunately, fidget toys are very reasonably priced and very accessible. If you feel like you want to try a new outlet for your anxiety or ADHD, I suggest giving one of these a shot. Also, if you see your kid using one of these, know they are not trying to annoy or ignore you but are just channeling their extra energy into something calm and enjoyable.
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Until next time!
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