Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSo, Do Fidget Spinners Even Work?If a Fidget Spinner Works for You, Then Use It
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
So, Do Fidget Spinners Even Work?
If a Fidget Spinner Works for You, Then Use It
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Have you seen many of those three-sided propeller gadgets that everyone seems to be spinning in their hands these days? Do you own any yourself?
Fidget spinners are quite popular because it’s said that they have many benefits including: increased concentration for those withADHDandautism spectrum disorders, and relief from stress, anxiety, and even post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms.
At a GlancePeople use fidget spinners as a way to ease anxiety and relieve stress. It’s purported that they have some benefits but to see if it actually works for you, it’s best to just try it.
At a Glance
People use fidget spinners as a way to ease anxiety and relieve stress. It’s purported that they have some benefits but to see if it actually works for you, it’s best to just try it.
Fidgeting in ADHD
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.
Let’s talk about 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.
Fidget Spinners May Help Us Stop Ruminating
One potential route for fidget spinners to be stress relievers is through their capacity to distract us fromruminationabout things we find stressful.
While studies haven’t examined whether fidget spinners are good distractors, there is research that’s looked at the effects of distraction on rumination.
One study published in theJournal of Abnormal Child Psychologydivided tweens and teens into three groups to see the effects of distraction, meditation, and problem-solving on rumination. It’s not surprising thatmeditationhad a positive effect in lessening rumination, but the distraction intervention also helped participants shrug off rumination, unlike theproblem-solving activity.
While the distraction in the study wasn’t 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.
Why You Should Keep a Stress Relief Journal
Using a Fidget Spinner May Put You in a Meditative State
Mindfulnessand meditation has 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.
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 isn’t necessarily demonstrated to be the case with fidget spinners, though the argument can be made that any movement can serve a similar function.
5 Physical Activities That Boost Your Mental Strength
Using Fidget Spinners May Serve as a Mini Ritual
Those who are autistic or who have ADHD 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.
Fidget Spinners May Help to Normalize Fidgeting as a Whole
With fidget spinners, a need to fidget stops being seen as something that needs to be fixed. Instead, it’ll reduce the stigma around fidgeting because using them is out in the open. If everyone is using a fidget spinner, we’re more likely to feel less left out.
In the end, if a fidget spinner helps you to feel less stressed, there’s 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, it’s best to leave them at home.
What This Means For YouWhatever you decide on fidget spinners, simply focusing on stress relief can help you to create habits that can minimize chronic stress.Fidget spinners aren’t a replacement for therapy though. So, if you’re still struggling with getting relief from stress,reach out to a mental health professional.
What This Means For You
Whatever you decide on fidget spinners, simply focusing on stress relief can help you to create habits that can minimize chronic stress.Fidget spinners aren’t a replacement for therapy though. So, if you’re still struggling with getting relief from stress,reach out to a mental health professional.
Whatever you decide on fidget spinners, simply focusing on stress relief can help you to create habits that can minimize chronic stress.
Fidget spinners aren’t a replacement for therapy though. So, if you’re still struggling with getting relief from stress,reach out to a mental health professional.
ADHD Symptom Spotlight: Spacing Out
4 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Hilt LM, Pollak SD.Getting Out of Rumination: Comparison of Three Brief Interventions in a Sample of Youth.J Abnorm Child Psychol.2012;40:1157-1165. doi:10.1007/s10802-012-9638-3Khusid MA, Vythilingam M.The Emerging Role of Mindfulness Meditation as Effective Self-Management Strategy, Part 1: Clinical Implications for Depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Anxiety.Military Med.2016;181(9):961-968. doi:10.7205/MILMED-D-14-00677Taylor A, Novo D, Foreman D.An Exercise Program Designed for Children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder for Use in School Physical Education: Feasibility and Utility.Healthcare (Basel). 2019;7(3):102. doi:10.3390/healthcare7030102Leekam SR, Prior MR, Uljarevic M.Restricted and repetitive behaviors in autism spectrum disorders: A review of research in the last decade.Psychol Bull. 2011;137(4):562-593. doi:10.1037/a0023341
4 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Hilt LM, Pollak SD.Getting Out of Rumination: Comparison of Three Brief Interventions in a Sample of Youth.J Abnorm Child Psychol.2012;40:1157-1165. doi:10.1007/s10802-012-9638-3Khusid MA, Vythilingam M.The Emerging Role of Mindfulness Meditation as Effective Self-Management Strategy, Part 1: Clinical Implications for Depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Anxiety.Military Med.2016;181(9):961-968. doi:10.7205/MILMED-D-14-00677Taylor A, Novo D, Foreman D.An Exercise Program Designed for Children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder for Use in School Physical Education: Feasibility and Utility.Healthcare (Basel). 2019;7(3):102. doi:10.3390/healthcare7030102Leekam SR, Prior MR, Uljarevic M.Restricted and repetitive behaviors in autism spectrum disorders: A review of research in the last decade.Psychol Bull. 2011;137(4):562-593. doi:10.1037/a0023341
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Hilt LM, Pollak SD.Getting Out of Rumination: Comparison of Three Brief Interventions in a Sample of Youth.J Abnorm Child Psychol.2012;40:1157-1165. doi:10.1007/s10802-012-9638-3Khusid MA, Vythilingam M.The Emerging Role of Mindfulness Meditation as Effective Self-Management Strategy, Part 1: Clinical Implications for Depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Anxiety.Military Med.2016;181(9):961-968. doi:10.7205/MILMED-D-14-00677Taylor A, Novo D, Foreman D.An Exercise Program Designed for Children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder for Use in School Physical Education: Feasibility and Utility.Healthcare (Basel). 2019;7(3):102. doi:10.3390/healthcare7030102Leekam SR, Prior MR, Uljarevic M.Restricted and repetitive behaviors in autism spectrum disorders: A review of research in the last decade.Psychol Bull. 2011;137(4):562-593. doi:10.1037/a0023341
Hilt LM, Pollak SD.Getting Out of Rumination: Comparison of Three Brief Interventions in a Sample of Youth.J Abnorm Child Psychol.2012;40:1157-1165. doi:10.1007/s10802-012-9638-3
Khusid MA, Vythilingam M.The Emerging Role of Mindfulness Meditation as Effective Self-Management Strategy, Part 1: Clinical Implications for Depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Anxiety.Military Med.2016;181(9):961-968. doi:10.7205/MILMED-D-14-00677
Taylor A, Novo D, Foreman D.An Exercise Program Designed for Children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder for Use in School Physical Education: Feasibility and Utility.Healthcare (Basel). 2019;7(3):102. doi:10.3390/healthcare7030102
Leekam SR, Prior MR, Uljarevic M.Restricted and repetitive behaviors in autism spectrum disorders: A review of research in the last decade.Psychol Bull. 2011;137(4):562-593. doi:10.1037/a0023341
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