Alextina Anxiety Ring
Best discreet fidget toy for anxiety
Appash Fidget Cube
Best fidget toy with variety
Tangle Therapy Relax Toy
Best fidget toy for relaxation
Pop Fidget Toy
Best fidget toy for kids (Update: Currently unavailable)
If you’re someone who deals with anxiety, you may realize that you often find yourself fidgeting with the things around you. That could be anything from the magnetic case for your earbuds, the cover of your favorite pen, or just whatever else you can get your hands on. This has become such a common issue among folks with anxiety that companies have come up with fidget toys. Some of the best fidget toys are ones that are well made, easy to fit in your pocket or purse, and actually help alleviate stress and anxiety. There are countless options available online, but here are a few of the ones we recommend.
It’s worth noting that there are currently no peer-reviewed studies that support the effectiveness of fidget toys for anxiety. However, anecdotally, people with anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and ADHD have seen benefits from fidget toys, as they can help concentration and can channel nervous energy. If you often bite your nails or bounce your knee in stressful situations, a fidget toy for anxiety can normalize fidgeting and help ease stress.Â
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Before fidget toys, we used to click our pens in the office when we were anxious. Enter the Fidgi Things Pen — a fidget toy made to be discreet. In addition to being a working pen, Fidgi has several fidget features, including a spin disk, a rolling ball, a click switch and a textured grip. With so many features, it earns our spot as the best fidget toy for the workplace.
For those who always want their fidget toy to be close at hand, consider an Alextina Anxiety Ring. What I like about this anxiety ring is how sleek it is; you really can’t tell it’s anything other than a ring, and it isn’t chunky on your finger. You have many design options — some have cutouts or embossed patterns, while others are classic gold or silver bands.
The Appash Fidget Cube is one of my favorite fidget toys for anxiety. With six different sides equipped with unique fidget features, it’s got a lot of variety. The sides include click, glide, flip, breathe, roll and spin features. Three of the buttons on the Appash Fidget Cube make noise, while two are silent.
The Fidgetland Nolah toy is a discreet fidget gadget that’s easy to slip into your pocket. It looks like a bike chain with two interlocking rings that glide over each other when moved. The links that hold it together feature silicone bands that move, which creates a mini treadmill for your fingers. This fidget toy is small, so you can use it anywhere, even while your hand is in your pocket.
The Tangle Therapy Relax Toy is a long, interconnected loop fidget toy. It’s designed to be twisted, reshaped and taken apart. It’s also available in ridged textures, which is great for people who prefer tactile sensations to help them relax. It’s a great option for adults and kids, and it is often recommended for classrooms because it doesn’t make any noise.
While they aren’t limited to only children, the Pop Fidget Toy relieves anxiety with rows of poppable bubbles. Think of it as reusable bubble wrap that never loses the coveted “pop.” The Pop Fidget Toys come in all shapes, sizes and colors, making them the best fidget toy for kids with anxiety. Popular shapes include ice cream cones, fruit and dinosaurs. They also come in small, travel-size fidget toys that can clip to backpacks or belts.
How we chose the best fidget toys
The jury is still out on scientific support for fidget toys reducing anxiety. When choosing the best fidget toys, we considered a few key factors, including the price, construction, durability, and user reviews. Only fidget toys with generally positive reviews were included.Â
Things to consider when buying a fidget toy:
- How often you’ll use it: If you plan to use your fidget toy a lot, you need one that is durable and will stand up to significant use. When shopping, make sure you assess what it’s made from and read reviews on the quality of construction.
- Where you’ll use it: Depending on where you will use it to help relieve anxiety, you may want your fidget toy to be discreet. For instance, if you’re planning to use it at work, you may opt for a ring or necklace that passes for normal jewelry.
- How it feels: The material of your fidget toy is important if you plan to use it to help ease stress. Some options are made from metal, silicone or plastic and offer different textures.
Frequently asked questions
The name is deceiving, but fidget toys aren’t toys in the traditional sense. Fidget toys or gadgets help you focus and relieve stress and anxiety by way of repetitive action. They are typically small, handheld and easily transportable. Oftentimes, they have buttons or clickers that help you dispel nervous energy.Â
Can fidget toys help anxiety?
There is little scientific evidence outside of anecdotal support that fidget toys help with anxiety. Still, it can help some people focus on breathing and lessen anxiety symptoms. Fidget toys can alleviate anxiety by distracting you from negative thoughts and giving you an outlet for nervous energy. Those with OCD are often comforted by repetitive actions to offset obsessive thoughts and anxieties. Fidget toys can provide immediate relief to these symptoms.
What is the best type of fidget toy?
There is a lot of variety in the fidget toy market — from squishy stress balls to stylish necklaces. With such a wide range of options, it’s difficult to crown a specific type of fidget toy as being the best. It will depend on preferences and fidgeting habits. The various types of fidget toys include but are not limited to fidget cubes and puzzles, wearable options like rings and necklaces, silicone poppers and stress balls.
What is the best fidget toy for kids?
Many of the fidget toys on the market are small and, as such, are unsuitable for children. When choosing the best fidget toy for kids, you want to avoid options with small parts they can put in their mouths. Many fidget toys — like pop-its — are soft and easy to clean, making them perfect for kids.Â
Read More:Â 6 Best Teas for Anxiety and Stress for 2022
Source: CNET
