Anxiety rings, worry rings and fidget rings - are they TikTok’s latest viral trend or do they actually work?
Anxiety rings, fidget jewellery and ADHD jewellery are the latest and viral trend on Tiktok, Instagram and Facebook.
Do they work? We’ve listed the pros and cons of the fidget rings here.
What is an anxiety ring and a fidget ring?
A fidget spinner was all the rage a few years ago. They’re still very popular for children and also adults. However, when you have a big work presentation or other professional setting where you need to use the fidget spinner, it looks a little bit awkward. This is where an anxiety ring or a fidget ring comes in. It is subtle and discreet. No one will even notice that your fidgeting with your ring because you can do it on one hand.
An anxiety ring is a ring that you can spin or fidget with. There are so many on the market - they claim to help you focus, reduce your anxiety and provide a sense of calm. Anxiety rings are made with stainless steel, copper, brass, sterling silver, and even plastic.
Anxiety rings, meditation rings, fidget rings, spinner rings, calming ring, spinning anxiety rings, spinning rings, calm rings, sensory rings, worry rings, anti-anxiety rings and spinner fidget rings are designed to spin or move around subtly so that it helps to provide sensory input and used as a tool to deregulate and empower yourself.
There is research that stimming or repetitive behaviours, such fidgeting, provide a sense of deregulation and a sensory tool to calm and reduce stress and anxiety.
What happens when we feel anxious and how would an anxiety ring help?
When you’re feeling anxious, your brain releases a surge of chemicals that makes you go into fight or flight mode. When your brain is unable to manage the anxiety, this fight or flight mode leads to behaviours such as biting your nails, clicking your pens or displaying the more serious behaviours such as dizziness or anxiety attacks.
There is no scientific research (at least that we’re aware of) where anxiety rings work, but if it is something that distracts you from whatever it is that is making you anxious, then why not try it right?
Are anxiety rings good for ADHD?
An anxiety ring may be useful for someone who has for example ADHD, where they’re constantly shaking their leg or having to fidget or provide a physical outlet to keep hands busy or provide a focal point for the mind to focus. This highlights the issue of all of the undiagnosed women who fell through the gaps at school and grew up into high functioning adults who developed coping strategies to manage their anxiety and possibly other mental health disorder rather than go to the root of the problem.
This is why Subtly Anxious. Empower yourself. Embrace your thoughts.® concept means that the rings are used as a tool to empower yourself. The next step is to not ignore your thoughts but embrace them. Using an anxiety ring without going to the root cause of the anxiety will not fix your anxiety.
Find out more and recognise what is going on in your mind and what can help your anxiety.
What makes Subtly Anxious® fidget rings different to others?
Subtly Anxious® rings are only made from s925 sterling silver. There are so many cheaper metals out there but our rings are engraved with "SUBTLY ANXIOUS" on the inner band so that you know that you are paying for quality. They may look exactly the same but the difference is what they’re made of. Many anxiety and fidget rings claim to be 'high quality' but do not always specify what metal they are made of. In some case, they claim to be made of 'high quality copper,' 'high quality stainless steel' or 'high quality brass.'
Anxiety rings and fidget jewellery are not medical devices nor are they a sole solution to wellness, mindfulness, stress relief, anxiety, ADHD, OCD or other neurodiversity. There may be other underlying issues to cause your anxiety or other mental health disorder and it is important that you address this by seeking professional advice including therapy.
This is why we have developed the regularly updated anxiety resource page. We’ll also list some of the best medicine you can get -
- Therapy - therapy sessions will often help you to recognise your anxiety triggers and develop healthier ways to manage your anxiety. Therapy is so much more accessible these days. Sometimes your work may even offer 5-6 sessions for free and clinics are now taking sessions online so you can access anywhere around the world.
- Exercise - this one as mentioned earlier, releases endorphins and will reduce the stress and anxiety felt.
- Support from others - whether it be your friends, your family or your partner, ensure you have the best support network around you.
- Healthy eating habits - this can improve your mood and energy levels, particularly where you may feel sluggish.
- Medication - there are so many options for medication these days.
- Grounding and deep breathing exercise - which help release anxiety and any stored trauma.
- Sleep - this one is self explanatory however it is good to remind ourselves that we, as adults need 7 - 9 hours of sleep.
- Caffeine - relevant to the one about sleep - we already don’t get enough sleep. It is recommended you have caffeine at least 8 hours before going to bed.