Fidgeting spins out of control

If you have a seemingly uncontrollable urge to bite your nails or tap your foot, the latest Internet craze might be the solution for you to spin out of your fidgeting.

Fidget spinners have taken over the world and everyone from niggling children to people trying to quit smoking are spinning these small, ball-bearing devices that rotate with a flick of your finger.

But why do people fidget?

Ballito based clinical psychologist Nikki Simons said fidgeting is often developed from a young age because it stimulates brain growth.

“Most children fidget in varying degrees due to the fact that their brains obtain stimulation through the senses, primarily through the touch sense.

“Research shows that small exercise such as fidgeting stimulates brain growth, keeps children alert and provides the stimulation the brain needs to activate working memory needed to recall and manipulate information and for paying attention,” said Simons, who believes too much screen time could be a reason for children to become bored more easily.

“Modern day children require more and more stimulation to become engaged in tasks, which could be the result of TV and tablet use that provides too much stimulation with the lights, special effects and sounds.

“This results in children becoming easily bored in activities with lower stimulation such as everyday life.”

She said extreme fidgeting can be a symptom of certain psychiatric disorders such as ADHD.

“Hyperactive type ADHD children have a need to move constantly be it running around or getting up of their chairs often, whereas the inattentive type have significant deficits in working memory. In this case, fidgeting may be a child’s unconscious coping mechanism to help him concentrate.”

Other reasons for fidgeting may be anxiety causing people to feel restless.

“High levels of adrenaline or cortisol results in hyperactivity (a need to move) and can be a way for the body to self calm through movement. Anxious restlessness can be seen in mindless tapping of fingers on a surface, playing incessantly with objects, or tapping legs.”

On the other hand, she said fidgeting can be a sign on boredom, whereby constant movement provides sensory-motor input that tends to wake up the brain through the extra stimulation.

WATCH: 3 Ways To Make A Fidget Spinner Toy!

>>  Expect to find the latest trends in Health, Wellness and Beauty in Ballito.

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