Fidget spinners are trendy but, in just over 100 pages, Heather Fishel gives us 101 ways to boost our creativity and decrease stress with other fidgeting tools. The book covers touching, tasting, and sound fidgets so there’s as much of a variety in the area of the brain you are fidgeting with as the fidgets themselves.
With 101 ways, you can be sure there is something for everyone. I would like to share my top seven favorite fidget ways that I’m doing now or would like to try in the future.
1. Make a mind map
Put the main idea you need to map in the center and then draw branches with keywords. Add some color, doodles, and decorations.
2. Keep a random thought notepad
My random thought notepad helps me stay on task at work. Instead of Googling or going off on an Amazon shopping spree when a new idea hits my brain, I write it on my random thought pad to get it out and push it away ’til later.
3. Switch up your font to something weird
This is probably not the fidget you want to use for a professional paper, but when you’re drafting it, go to town. Pick a strange font to put the keywords or phrases in so they stand out. Times New Roman can bore your eyes and make it hard to remember what you type, so mix it up with some adventurous font.
4. Taste a bit of mint
This seems more like a tool to make you more alert than fidget, but I like mint so it makes the list. The book suggests biting on a sprig of mint or chewing gum for a quick boost of energy.
5. Play with a Rubik’s Cube
My son has a Rubik’s Cube and he loves it for fidgeting. You can’t go wrong with something that has that click sound and moving parts. He accidentally got one side all white one day. Pretty impressive for when you’re not paying attention.
6. Grab a Slinky
Just typing the word “Slinky” makes me feel a bit calmer. There’s nothing like the feel of a metal Slinky between your hands as it slinks back and forth and your own speed. I prefer the full-sized metal ones over the cheap plastic, but I’ll play with what’s available.
7. Click, move, and touch worry beads
I bought some Buddhist prayer beads on Amazon to wear when I get anxious. I think the wooden ones with a non-elastic base are superior to the glass or metal beads. Wraps Wearables makes earbuds that double as a bracelet that pulls double duty. Counting the beads during a panic attack can help bring you back to a logical state of mind and put you in a meditative state.
Fidget!: 101 Ways to Boost Your Creativity and Decrease Your Stress by Heather Fishel is available now at your local bookseller.
Do you have a favorite way to fidget? Let me know in the comments. I’m always looking for new tools to add to my arsenal.
Disclaimer: GeekMom received a sample of this title.
