For the fidgety brain

The toy recently surfaced on the Internet and we had top YouTubers reviewing it and now it seems to have become a universal stressbuster. A fidget spinner is a toy that is marketed as relieving stress. It consists of a bearing in the centre of a multi-lobed flat structure made from metal or plastic. 

The toy has been advertised as helping people who have trouble with focusing or fidgeting (such as those with ADHD, autism, or anxiety) by acting as a release mechanism for nervous energy or psychological stress. 

Experts are divided, with some supporting this claim and others disputing its scientific basis, arguing that the toy may be distracting. S Krishnan, an IT employee bought the toy when he saw his timeline filled with posts about this fidget spinner. 

“I was curious to find out what it exactly was. When I checked online, it ranged between Rs 150 – 1,000 – with the price varying as per the design. It seemed interesting and I bought one for Rs 300. I carry with me everywhere as it easily fits into my pocket. Whenever, I am bored, I play with it,” he muses. 

Meanwhile, Twenty-eight-year-old Aamir Ahmed Khan, jokes, “Occasionally, I get fidgety and tend to punch things around me - desks, cupboards and walls. Not to sound like a psychopath, but I end up finger tapping or table drumming a lot. My girlfriend decided it’s best I get a spinner instead of giving myself arthritis or breaking furniture around me.” 

On the other hand, Pradeep Kumar, founder of a Chennai-based start-up says it could be a great gifting option. “It calms me down when too many things are happening around and I think it is a cool and very thoughtful gift to give.” 

“The fact that it is a stress-buster and it helps people with ADHD is not medically proven. However, some people who get restless use it to concentrate, which is a short-term solution,” says S Jayshri, a counsellor. However, there are others who think it’s phoney. Twenty-seven-year old Kaushik Sundar, a dancer stumbled upon a YouTube video of a reviewer playing with the toy. 

“I paid Rs 650 for it and bought it online. Though it was a lot of fun initially, after two months it meant nothing. I think it’s just a sham.”