The hand spinner, also known as fidget spinner, is a small device, usually made of plastic, metal or ceramic, that can be rotated between the fingers.
Although it seems a very simple concept, this small object helps improve the concentration of people with attention deficit, hyperactivity, excessive anxiety and even improve the life of autistic, also decreasing anxiety.
How it helps to improve concentration
Over the course of several years, the human brain has been adapting and evolving to focus on a task, while using some of the attention to assess the surrounding environment for possible dangers. This is the same capacity that allows you to drive, keeping your attention on the road, but never forget to assess if there is danger from the sides, such as a person crossing or a car passing the red light, for example.
So when you're in the office working or at home studying, the brain still can not focus on just one task, constantly evaluating the environment for possible dangers. When using this type of device, the attention that would be given to the environment is focused only on the movement of the hand spinner . When this happens, the brain, which does not have to spend as much attention on an object as it would spend in the environment, is freer to focus on the important task.
Who should use the spinner
The hand spinner is meant to help people with attention deficit hyperactivity or excess anxiety, focus on a task and release some of the stress accumulated during the work or study day, for example.
Generally, these people end up developing other strategies to maintain attention, but that can annoy those who are around, such as:
- Keep tightening the pen;
- Tap repeatedly with your fingers on the table;
- To nail the nails;
- Swing your legs.
In addition, because it requires elaborate hand movement and looks like a game, it can also help children with autism develop their dexterity and fine motor skills.
Benefits of playing with the spinner
While observing or feeling the device running, it is possible to keep the brain focused on another activity, increasing productivity and combating some of the lack of attention brought about by psychological changes such as hyperactivity, attention deficit syndrome or autism, for example. In addition, by turning the hand spinner, the brain can also release some of the stress it is feeling, a simple solution for people who often suffer with anxiety.
To use, just hold the center of the hand spinner with the thumb and other finger of the hand and then make it rotate using one of the free fingers. This movement, in addition to causing a pleasant tactile sensation, also seems to help maintain concentration during various day-to-day activities.
The hand spinner has in its center small metal balls that act as bearings, allowing the sides of the objects to rotate almost freely without friction. That way, there are some fidget spinners that, depending on the type of material, can be running up to 6 minutes in a row.
This type of device can be bought in malls, toy stores and even the internet, for example.
