Anxiety is an emotion when dealing with daily problems and stress. There are the most common mental health conditions that can affect people. Thus, people with anxiety are having a difficult day. For these people to feel at ease, they must seek treatments and management to reduce the severity of the mental health condition. One of the anxiety management and therapy is the stress relief toys.
Specialized toys for stress
There are available specialized toys for stress known as fidget toys. Fidgeting looks like the following:
- Tapping the fingers
- Bouncing the knees
- Twirling the hair
These small movements can be common to people with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) or anxiety. It has been thought of as a coping mechanism for the body, promoting stimulant release and increasing focus for people with attention disorders.
Fidget toys are helpful. It is designed to increase focus while relieving other or more distracting habits. Fidget toys make the hand something to get busy with. With this, the mind effectively redirects the attention and if needed, relaxes.
Types of fidget toys
Typically, fidget toys are handheld stuff designed to help users focus and reduce stress. The toys can improve learning ability. Although there is not enough evidence supporting the benefits of fidget toys, recommended by researchers. Fidget toys come in many forms, such as:
- Fidget spinners. It is made from metal or plastic, a 3-pronged tool fitted in the hand and meant to be spun. It is helpful for people struggling with hand fidgeting.
- Fidget cubes
- Rubber band balls
- Stress balls. It varies in size, shape, and materials, aiding in expelling energy and calming the nerves. The toy signals relaxation, strengthen muscles and relieve arthritis, in the hands and wrists. It promotes progressive muscle relaxation through the way the stress balls are played on the hands, by squeezing the motion of the ball or clenching the fist and releasing. Some stress balls are designed with special features:
- Added scent
- Resistance options
Some have positive affirmations written to provide extra relief and motivation.
How does it help anxiety?
People with anxiety may make small movements or fidget when feeling restless, anxious, nervous, and impatient. Fidget toys give these movements a connection to help calm the nerves of the people, relieve stress, and serve as a distraction in overstimulating environment. The stress relief toy can pull the user away from particular stressful situations and thoughts and provides temporary relief.
Fidgets can give people a place to divert their attention and mental worries. The rhythmic sensation of the motion is self-soothing, such as shaking the leg or tapping the feet. Some toys used by adults provide time for a break. But, in some cases with kids, certain toys become a distraction, like the fidget spinners.a
