Benefits of Fidget Tools: Enhancing Focus, Reducing Anxiety, and Regulating Sensory and Emotional Responses by Julie Bjelland, LMFT

Fidget tools, or fidget toys, are small handheld objects designed for individuals to manipulate with their fingers. These tools have gained popularity for their ability to provide a range of benefits, especially for people with anxiety, autism, ADHD, and sensory processing sensitivities. Here’s how fidget tools can help:

Enhancing Focus and Concentration

• Distraction Reduction: Fidget tools can help individuals focus on tasks, conversations, or lectures without becoming overwhelmed by external or internal distractions by occupying the part of the brain that becomes distracted by sensory input.

• Increased Engagement: Engaging with a fidget tool can help maintain attention and presence in tasks that require extended periods of concentration, making them particularly useful in educational and work settings.

Alleviating Anxiety and Stress

• Sensory Input: For many people, the tactile input provided by fidget tools can be calming, reducing anxiety and stress levels. The repetitive motion can be a meditative activity that soothes the nervous system.

• Coping Mechanism: Fidgeting can be a healthy coping mechanism for managing emotional stress, providing a way to release nervous energy or tension in a controlled manner.

Supporting Sensory Regulation

• Sensory Needs: Individuals with sensory processing sensitivities may find fidget tools beneficial for meeting their sensory needs in a non-disruptive way. These tools can offer the right sensory input to help someone stay regulated and comfortable in various environments.

• Preventing Sensory Overload: By focusing sensory activity on the tool, individuals can prevent overload in environments with overwhelming sensory inputs, helping to avoid meltdowns or shutdowns.

Facilitating Behavioral Benefits

• Substitute for Distracting Behaviors: Fidget tools can provide a discreet and socially acceptable alternative to behaviors such as leg shaking, hair twirling, or nail-biting, which may be distracting to others or socially stigmatized.

• Enhance Learning: For students and individuals who learn better with movement, fidget tools can help facilitate learning by allowing the user to move in a way that is not disruptive to others.

Social and Emotional Enhancements

• Self-regulation: Effectively using fidget tools can help individuals develop self-regulation skills, recognize when they are stressed or unfocused, and address those feelings.

• Social Interaction: Fidget tools can help reduce social anxiety by giving the hands something to do and making social situations more manageable. Additionally, for children and adults alike, using fidget tools in social settings can offer a subtle way to stay engaged and present during conversations, group activities, or classroom settings, potentially leading to more meaningful and comfortable interactions.

In summary, fidget tools can offer numerous benefits across cognitive, emotional, and sensory areas, making them valuable aids for individuals of all ages.

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The Ono Roller

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I’m Julie Bjelland, LMFT

A Licensed Psychotherapist, author, and founder of Sensitive Empowerment, specializing in high sensitivity and adult-diagnosed autism in women. I love developing tools that balance our sensitive nervous system, reduce challenges, and help us reach our fullest potential so we may excel in our unique talents. I’ve created a global hub of extensive support, including online courses, the Sensitive Empowerment Community—a nurturing sanctuary—a globally top-ranked podcast, articles, free webinars, and more. My passion is helping create a world where differences are embraced as strengths and celebrated. Learn more at JulieBjelland.com

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