Do Fidget Spinners Actually Relieve Stress?

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 with ADHD and autism spectrum disorders, and relief from stress, anxiety, and even post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms.

So, Do Fidget Spinners Even Work?

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 from rumination about 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 the Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology divided tweens and teens into three groups to see the effects of distraction, meditation, and problem-solving on rumination. It's not surprising that meditation had a positive effect in lessening rumination, but the distraction intervention also helped participants shrug off rumination, unlike the problem-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.

Using a Fidget Spinner May Put You in a Meditative State

Mindfulness and 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.

Any Form of Movement Is a Good Thing for Our Brains

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.

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

It's possible that fidget spinners may help to normalize some behaviors that many people, particularly those on the autism spectrum, find to be difficult to stop but also not shared by other kids in the environment.

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.

If a Fidget Spinner Works for You, Then Use It

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.