Once seen as a sign of inattention – and sometimes rudeness – fidgeting is now recognised as something that can help with focus. If you’re feeling fidgety, try our guide to create your own fidget toy.
You’re sitting in class, listening to your teacher explain a topic. You’re interested and fully focused on what they’re saying, but then you glance down and realise you’ve been twirling your pen, tapping your fingers, or jiggling your knee without thinking.
Fidgeting has a bad reputation. You might have been told not to do it at school or had teachers or parents tell you to sit still and pay attention. Some people see it as a sign of rudeness or lack of concentration.
But it’s a normal thing to do. Bodies are built to be active, so small movements are a way of releasing some of that energy when you’re sitting still for hours on end. In fact, fidgeting can often be positive.
Feeling fidgety? Try our DIY spinner and bracelet below…
PAPER TABLETOP SPINNER
1 Fold an A4 sheet of paper in half and cut along the fold so you have two pieces of A5 paper.
2 Now, fold each of these sheets in half lengthways, making two rectangles.
3 Fold down the top right-hand corner of each piece of paper so that the folded edge lines up with the bottom of the rectangle. Fold up the bottom left-hand corner of each piece of paper so that the edge lines up with the top of the rectangle.
4 Lay one piece of paper over the other, in a star shape.
5 Fold one of the flaps from the bottom piece of paper into the centre of the star.
6 Fold in the other flaps so you’re left with a square.
7 Fold the square in half along a diagonal line so you get a triangle.
8 Hold the corners at the base and push them towards each other to pinch both sides, so the top forms the shape of a cross.
9 Release so you’re left with a spinnable square. Decorate your tabletop spinner with coloured pens, then give it a spin.
BEAD BRACELET
- Measure a piece of pipe cleaner to comfortably fit your wrist and make a small loop at one end. (Strong string or a reusable chain could work too.)
- Next, thread on some beads. Choose whatever colours, shapes, and designs you like. Don’t pack them on too tightly – you want enough space to be able to spin them.
- Make a loop at the other end of the pipe cleaner and attach it to your wrist by hooking the two ends together.
- Spin your beads whenever you need something to fidget with.
WORDS: CAROLINE BUTTERWICK.
ILLUSTRATIONS: MICHELLE URRA
This article was originally published under the title The Fidget Fix in Issue 45 – Lead the Way. You can get this issue here to enjoy more mindful inspiration.
