![]() Some studies suggest that another benefit of fidgeting might come from weight management.Ī 2019 study involving 40 preschool children looked at how posture changes from fidgeting over 150 minutes could affect their overall energy expenditure.⁶ ⁷ĭuring the observation period, all children followed a set timetable (e.g., TV, art, playing with toys). Fidgeting may help with healthy energy expenditure Interestingly, the men who exhibited more fidgeting behaviors during the test reported less overall stress. In a 2018 study on the effect of displacement behavior on stress in men, participants were placed in a stressful situation where they did some mental sums in front of strangers.⁵ The researchers found that the participants with more pre-test anxiety showed more displacement behaviors (for example, scratching or lip touching, which can also be considered fidgeting) during the math test. Other experts suggest that we may fidget to cope with stress. The researchers concluded that doodling helps to keep people's minds from wandering during boring tasks.⁴ Stress relief They were then given a surprise memory test, and the results showed that those who had doodled during the phone message recalled 29% more information than those who did not doodle. The participants listened to a boring phone message while either doodling or not doodling. For example, a 2009 study found that doodling may benefit memory and focus. In other words, fidgeting can help to strike the perfect balance between boredom and sensory overload.³Īdditionally, fidgeting may help to release excess energy, which can otherwise be a distraction. One theory is that fidgeting provides low-level stimulation that helps to keep the brain active without overwhelming it. Instead of being a symptom of inattentiveness, it could be an unconscious way of coping with anxiety, boredom, or lapses in concentration. However, newer research suggests that fidgeting may have a deeper purpose. ![]() ![]() ![]() While there may be an element of bias in these findings, as the data is based on self-reports, the analysis demonstrated that spontaneous mind wandering predicted fidgeting behavior.² The researchers measured spontaneous and deliberate mind wandering (daydreaming) and fidgeting behavior through self-report measures. These behaviors often seem purposeless, and a 2013 self-report study validated this idea by suggesting that they are usually symptoms of distraction. To find out whether fidget toys have any relevance in therapeutic settings, we need to understand why people fidget in the first place.Īt some point in your life, you've probably been tapping your foot, jiggling your leg, or mindlessly clicking your pen. Keep reading to discover whether fidget toys work to help manage symptoms of ASD. All of this might sound reasonable, but is there any scientific evidence supporting the use of fidget toys in therapeutic settings? ![]()
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