Human’s Innate Drive to Fidget
All humans naturally fidget due to an unconscious drive to seek the right amount of stimulation in their environment [4]. In fact, this innate drive is known as the fidget factor [4]. It is also hypothesized that humans possess a fidget factor to propel them to move to support their health and survive [4]. In our current sedentary culture, sitting in a chair may suppress our fidget factor and decrease this healthful drive [4]. The use of fidget devices may encourage our fidget factor to thrive, and in turn may make us healthier [4,5].
Fidget Devices Used Clinically
The field of occupational therapy utilizes fidget devices to assist individuals with self-regulation to increase their attention span, decrease anxiety, and elevate their fine motor skills [5]. Fidget devices are typically used clinically for individuals with ADHD or autism spectrum disorder primarily for concentration assistance [5]. Now, fidget devices are gaining popularity and individuals with anxiety may benefit from them [5].
Fidgeting May Decrease Anxiety
When an individual is stressed, they typically respond within three domains: 1) physical reactions like sweating and shakiness, 2) mental reactions like racing thoughts, and 3) behavioral reactions like avoiding the stressor [5]. Research suggests that fidgeting may be a form of embodied regulation [5]. In other words, fidgeting may regulate attention and emotion by expelling nervous energy through the physical reaction domain of stress response [5]. Physical activity, even of the smallest movements, release dopamine and norepinephrine to increase attention, sharpen focus, and promote a feeling of pleasure [5]. Fidgeting also may have the capacity to redirect the flow of thoughts to promote calmness and reduce anxiety [5]. Although fidgeting is not a way to cure anxiety, it may be an effective method to assist individuals to cope with anxiety [1,2,3,5,6]. See the fidget gallery below to find which device is best for your specific needs!
Fidget Gallery
1. Hand Rollers
2. Cubes
3. Chakra Worry Stones
4. Spinners
5. Pop-its
6. Magnetics
7. Putty
8. Slinkies
9. Acupressure Hand Balls
10. Stress Balls
References:
- Aditya, P. V. A., Prasad, M. G., Nagaradhakrishna, A., Raju, N. S., & Babu, D. N. (2021). Comparison of effectiveness of three distraction techniques to allay dental anxiety during inferior alveolar nerve block in children: A randomized controlled clinical trial. Heliyon, 7(9). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e08092
- Galang, J. A., Dolor, A. N., & Guevarra, Z. G. (2023). The Effects of Aromatherapy Fidget Cube on Stress Reduction: A Study of Blue Ternate Oil Diffused as an Additional Feature to Fidget Cube. Ascendens Asia Journal of Multidisciplinary Research Abstracts, 5(2), 161-161. https://www.ojs.aaresearchindex.com/index.php/AAJMRA/article/view/12524
- Karlesky, M., & Isbister, K. (2016, October). Understanding fidget widgets: Exploring the design space of embodied self-regulation. In Proceedings of the 9th Nordic Conference on Human-Computer Interaction (pp. 1-10). https://doi.org/10.1145/2971485.2971557
- Levine, J. A. (2023). The Fidget Factor and the obesity paradox. How small movements have big impact. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 5, 1122938. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2023.1122938
- Persia, J. (2023). Examining the Impacts of Subtle Fidget Jewelry on Anxiety, Stress, and Attention. https://doi.org/10.17615/42fx-zc73
- Rosales, J. J. V. A., Saavedra, K. A., & Santos, S. M. K. M. (2018). Effects of distraction technique using fidget toy on the level of anxiety of clients who will undergo venipuncture. https://greenprints.dlshsi.edu.ph/bsn/299/