Over the last five years, fidget spinners have caught the eye of many children, parents, psychologists and paediatricians. Scott McCoskery, a software engineer, developed this toy to fight his own need to fiddle during corporate meetings. His coworkers got fascinated with this new gadget and encouraged him to start selling them online (Gonzalez, 2017). Soon these pocket-sized gadgets, which could be spun with a flick of the finger, gained popularity. Corporations marketed it as a toy which can alleviate the symptoms of anxiety by instilling calmness and improving focus. However, there have been certain speculations about establishing a link between the use of fidget spinners and reduction of anxiety symptoms. In this blog, I will assess the effectiveness of using fidget spinners to cope up with the symptoms of anxiety.
18.1% of Americans are affected by anxiety, making it one of the most prevalent mental health disorders in the world. With such kind of a widespread presence, Americans and people around the world are desperate for a one-step and straightforward solution which could help lower their symptoms. This is where the branding of fidget spinners fits perfectly. When multi-million companies and entrepreneurs tell us that buying “products” like adult colouring books, aromatherapy vapes and essential oils can help people with their anxiety, people are lured. They are convinced that such ‘products’ which are only marketed to fuel the capitalist economy are convenient replacements for clinical help or medication. They are convinced to such an extent that they tend to disregard the fact that no research shows a clear correlation between using these products and lowering of the symptoms of anxiety.
There is no denying that these fidget spinners can help people expand their nervous energy in an anxiety-provoking situation. Since people usually resort to biting their nails, pulling out their cuticles, or pinching their skin during such situations, fidget spinners offer a harmless and easy alternative. Empirical studies have also shown that the motor activity associated with fidget spinners tends to increase the release of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain (Schecter 2017). Dopamine and norepinephrine can both boost focus and attention, which helps people to deal with irritability and restlessness (the two most common cognitive symptoms of anxiety). Hence, This study does give some biological grounding to the use of fidget spinners as an anxiety suppressant tool.
However, these claims have often been exaggerated. Some experts say that these toys distract the person from the source of anxiety or panic instead of teaching people to deal with stress (Naftulin 2017). These activities release a short amount of dopamine which stimulates the brain for a limited amount of time after which the physical symptoms of nausea, palpitations, or trembling might re-appear. Instead of creating such diversions and distractions, a more holistic way of dealing with this anxiety would be to practice mindfulness and deep breathing. These practices boost concentration, remove unwanted negative thoughts and instil calm for a more durable time period.
There have been some theories which suggest that these spinners emit certain radiations which travel to the brain to instil calmness and tranquillity. However, these theories are scientifically absurd and have no supporting evidence. They are spread as rumours by corporations to mislead customers. For customers who suffer from chronic anxiety and frequent panic attacks, these tools are essentially meaningless. Even for children, some paediatricians recommend against playing with fidget spinners. Their primary argument is that these toys disrupt classrooms or social settings as children fight about the possession and physical control of the spinner. Hence, instead of fostering awareness and calmness, they cause a huge ruckus (Graziano 2018).
To conclude, I would like to reiterate that no direct link has been proven between the use of fidget spinners and a reduction in the symptoms associated with anxiety. Since these fidget spinners are harmless and inexpensive, people with anxiety can try them out. However, to expect concrete results may be difficult. Hence, products like fidget spinners might temporarily help in the release of negative energy. Yet, in the long run, they should be used only in conjunction with more scientifically-reliable methods like diaphragmatic breathing, mindfulness and cognitive-behavioural therapy.
18.1% of Americans are affected by anxiety, making it one of the most prevalent mental health disorders in the world. With such kind of a widespread presence, Americans and people around the world are desperate for a one-step and straightforward solution which could help lower their symptoms. This is where the branding of fidget spinners fits perfectly. When multi-million companies and entrepreneurs tell us that buying “products” like adult colouring books, aromatherapy vapes and essential oils can help people with their anxiety, people are lured. They are convinced that such ‘products’ which are only marketed to fuel the capitalist economy are convenient replacements for clinical help or medication. They are convinced to such an extent that they tend to disregard the fact that no research shows a clear correlation between using these products and lowering of the symptoms of anxiety.
There is no denying that these fidget spinners can help people expand their nervous energy in an anxiety-provoking situation. Since people usually resort to biting their nails, pulling out their cuticles, or pinching their skin during such situations, fidget spinners offer a harmless and easy alternative. Empirical studies have also shown that the motor activity associated with fidget spinners tends to increase the release of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain (Schecter 2017). Dopamine and norepinephrine can both boost focus and attention, which helps people to deal with irritability and restlessness (the two most common cognitive symptoms of anxiety). Hence, This study does give some biological grounding to the use of fidget spinners as an anxiety suppressant tool.
However, these claims have often been exaggerated. Some experts say that these toys distract the person from the source of anxiety or panic instead of teaching people to deal with stress (Naftulin 2017). These activities release a short amount of dopamine which stimulates the brain for a limited amount of time after which the physical symptoms of nausea, palpitations, or trembling might re-appear. Instead of creating such diversions and distractions, a more holistic way of dealing with this anxiety would be to practice mindfulness and deep breathing. These practices boost concentration, remove unwanted negative thoughts and instil calm for a more durable time period.
There have been some theories which suggest that these spinners emit certain radiations which travel to the brain to instil calmness and tranquillity. However, these theories are scientifically absurd and have no supporting evidence. They are spread as rumours by corporations to mislead customers. For customers who suffer from chronic anxiety and frequent panic attacks, these tools are essentially meaningless. Even for children, some paediatricians recommend against playing with fidget spinners. Their primary argument is that these toys disrupt classrooms or social settings as children fight about the possession and physical control of the spinner. Hence, instead of fostering awareness and calmness, they cause a huge ruckus (Graziano 2018).
To conclude, I would like to reiterate that no direct link has been proven between the use of fidget spinners and a reduction in the symptoms associated with anxiety. Since these fidget spinners are harmless and inexpensive, people with anxiety can try them out. However, to expect concrete results may be difficult. Hence, products like fidget spinners might temporarily help in the release of negative energy. Yet, in the long run, they should be used only in conjunction with more scientifically-reliable methods like diaphragmatic breathing, mindfulness and cognitive-behavioural therapy.
Bibliography
1. Gonzalez, G. (2017, June
8). The Inside Story Behind the Rapid Rise of the Fidget Spinner Trend.
Retrieved from
https://www.inc.com/guadalupe-gonzalez/who-created-fidget-spinners-catherine-hettinger-scott-mccoskery.html.
2. Schecter, R. A., Shah,
J., Fruitman, K., & Milanaik, R. L. (2017). Fidget spinners: purported
benefits, adverse effects and accepted alternatives. Current opinion in
pediatrics, 29(5), 616-618.
3. Naftulin, J., &
Naftulin, J. (2017, May 8). Can Fidget Spinners Really Help Anxiety and ADHD?
An Expert Weighs In. Retrieved from
https://www.health.com/adult-adhd/fidget-spinners-anxiety-adhd-autism.
4. Graziano, P. A., Garcia,
A. M., & Landis, T. D. (2018). To fidget or not to fidget, that is the
question: a systematic classroom evaluation of fidget spinners among young
children with ADHD. Journal of attention disorders, 1087054718770009.
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