Fidgets aren’t just for kids
Fidget toys are often thought of as being for kids, and they can actually be super helpful for adults as well. They can help to reduce stress and anxiety, improve focus and concentration, and even help to relieve pain and discomfort. Along the lifespan we can stand to receive those benefits!
There are many different types of fidget toys available, so there is sure to be one that is right for everyone. Something to start noticing is what type of tactics experience do you find the most satisfying, because that’s what will give you those fidget benefits. Hard or soft? Metal, plastic, or rubber? Something that moves or stretches? Heavy or light? Rough or smooth? I notice I lean toward metal, cold, smooth objects, but sometimes a squishy, stretchy one is perfect. Some popular official fidget toys for adults include:
Infinity cubes: These cubes have interlocking pieces that can be flipped and turned, providing endless tactile stimulation.
Fidget spinners: These spinners can be flipped and spun in a variety of ways, and they can be very relaxing and mesmerizing to watch.
Pop-it toys: These toys feature silicone bubbles that can be popped in and out. They can be very satisfying to fidget with, and they can also help to improve fine motor skills.
Stress balls: These balls can be squeezed and squashed to help relieve stress and tension.
Fidget rings: These rings feature kinetic elements that can be spun, clicked, or rolled. They are a great way to keep your hands busy while you are on the go.
My personal favorite is Speks! You may get dizzy from the price tag, but they may be worth saving up for. They have lots of different products, but I’m partial to their signature tiny, powerful magnetic spheres. I look forward to using Speks again even if I’ve had only a day away from messing around with them.
You can use fidget toys anywhere. They can be used at work, at school, or at home. They can also be used while traveling, waiting in line, at your doctor’s office, on a zoom call or in any other situation where you need to keep your hands occupied. I love using it during my kid’s ice skating lessons, while watching a movie, and while doing my therapy sessions. I’m better able to focus on the task at hand when I choose a fitting fidget.
Here are some of the benefits of using fidget toys for adults:
Reduce stress and anxiety: Fidget toys can help to reduce stress and anxiety by providing a distraction and by releasing endorphins. Endorphins are hormones that have mood-boosting and pain-relieving effects.
Improve focus and concentration: Fidget toys can help to improve focus and concentration by providing a physical outlet for restless energy. This can be especially helpful for people with ADHD or other attention disorders.
Relieve pain and discomfort: Fidget toys can help to relieve pain and discomfort by increasing blood flow to the hands and by providing a distraction from pain. This can be helpful for people with arthritis, fibromyalgia, and other chronic pain conditions.
Improve fine motor skills: Fidget toys can help to improve fine motor skills by providing a way to practice hand-eye coordination and dexterity. This can be helpful for people with stroke, brain injury, or other neurological conditions.
Increase creativity: Fidget toys can help to increase creativity by providing a way to stimulate the mind and by encouraging divergent thinking. This can be helpful for people in all walks of life, from artists and writers to scientists and engineers.
Now, if you're looking to see what fidgets are all about and aren’t going or able to cough up money for it, you can start to look around your environment for everyday objects. Before I even knew I could call them fidgets, I had certain items I’d play with at my desk: A crystal with all kinds of edges, a little plastic frog, a smooth and heavy rose quartz, a tiny bean bag, a smooth rock with interesting contours, and a ball made of wool. See what your hands find satisfying and entertaining, soothing and interesting. Some folks even choose to create their own fidget toys (thank you, YouTube)!
Consider giving fidgets a try. I’d really love to hear what kinds of everyday objects, crafty fidgets, or store bought ones are working for you.
