Click, spin, roll, glide, switch, and soothe. These are six different ways a fidget cube can help to reduce stress, relieve anxiety, and increase focus and attention. But, it’s health benefits doesn’t stop there. Fidget cubes are also proving to be effective at helping people with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactive disorder), autism, and OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder), to keep their mind and energy under control. Its widespread application and entertainment value has not only become popular with children but, for adults too! According to Amazon.com reviews, here’s what some of the verified customers are saying:

What Exactly Are Fidget Cubes?

Similar to the equally popular fidget spinners, and fidget pens, a fidget cube is essentially a small palm-sized handheld device with six sides. Each side of which features a different type of sensory mechanism. For instance, for the more common six-sided fidget cube, it includes a Switch (lightswitch), a Glide (joystick controller), a Spin (rotating disc dial), Clickers (buttons which make the sound of a click), Rollers (tactile gears and a clickable ball and socket), and a Breathe (modeled after worry stones). While each side features a different type of fidgeting mechanism the purpose of the fidget cube remains the same. That is, to provide a discreet way of occupying one’s hands and other senses help relieve stress, reduce anxiety, alleviate nervousness, and stay focused.

If, for example, you want to better control your nervousness but you find it difficult to keep your fingers still, no matter how hard you try, then, a fidget cube might just be the answer for you. These versatile cubes, which have come out of nowhere, has something to practically satisfy every type of fidgeter. It doesn’t matter whether you are a spinner, a roller, a clicker or a flicker.

Who Invented The Fidget Cube?

The fidget cube is the brainchild of two brilliant brothers, Matthew and Mark McLachlan. After coming up with the idea, the McLachlan brothers went on to set up the Colorado-based Antsy Labs. Shortly thereafter, putting into production their first fidget cube. When it first debuted on Kickstarter in 2016, the brothers were surprised that it was an instant hit. When the brothers launched their campaign on Kickstarter, they pledged $15,000 to help bring it to life. What they got was $6,465,690 from 154,926 backers making it one of the most successful campaigns in Kickstarter’s history. Mark and Matthew could not believe that their simple product, designed to help people focus by offering simple tactile features, would resonate with so many people all over the world.

Why Are Fidget Cubes So Popular?

Simple! It addressed a need a majority of the population had by providing a practical and sustainable solution. A solution, packed into a palm-sized device people can pocket and take with them anywhere for less than $25. Since entering the market, fidget cubes have received positive coverage as-well-as extensive criticism from the media. Both of which has catapulted the craze for America’s hottest toy category.

According to Forbes contributor James Plafke, the popularity of this product can also be attributed to its effectiveness and great reception from users. A large percentage of users report that it “helps to boost day-to-day productivity by providing an innocuous outlet for nervous and bored energy.” Additionally, American parents have also embraced the fidget cube as a way of increasing their kids’ engagement and concentration level.

The popularity of fidget cubes is projected to increase over the next five years because of its widespread application and appeal to school students, parents, and professionals in the corporate world who are quickly accepting it as an important and indispensable productivity tool. So popular in fact that Forbes.com have termed the fidget cube as the “must-have office tool” for companies focused on improving productivity.

Who Are Fidget Cubes For?

Fidget cubes are a versatile product that has proven to be extremely handy for a large section of the population. Particularly those who (1) suffer from severe stress, anxiety, and nervousness, or (2) who have difficulty with focus and concentration, or (3) are prone to compulsive habits. If you think you fall into one of these categories, here’s how fidget cubes can help benefit your cause.

I suffer from severe stress, anxiety, and/or nervousness.

• When stressed, nervous or anxious it is almost impossible to consciously stop yourself from fidgeting. In such times you might bite your nails, tap your feet, or click the pen that is in your hand. A fidget cube can help keep you from focusing on your nerves or the cause of anxiety and instead enable you to focus solely on the primary task making you more productive.

I have difficulty with focus and concentration.

• Developing children face a variety of issues that make paying attention an uphill task. In addition to this, behavioral disorders such as ADHD and mental conditions such as autism are extreme situations in which people have difficulty with focus and attention. If you want to improve your focus and concentration, fidget cubes can help provide an outlet for the negative energy that makes focus a challenge. Plus, as it looks like a toy, most children typically respond to it positively.

I’m prone to compulsive habits.

• If this sounds like you, you’re not alone. A significant percentage of the population are prone or addicted to compulsive habits such as nail biting, tapping, or other such rituals that describe those with an obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Some of which can turn out to cause self-harm. Nail biting, for instance, can get so bad that people have chewed off the entire nail surface creating a painful injury. To counter such compulsive and potentially harmful habits the fidget cube has been a Godsend for such people because they are able to keep their fingers, and their biting, under control. The good news is, over time, the bait dies off naturally without any effort on your part.

Do Fidget Cubes Really Work?

These devices are touted as effective in resolving a wide range of issues that many of us deal with on a daily basis. Are they, however, effective or are these just mere claims?

How Fidget Cubes Help to Relieve Stress and Anxiety

Anxiety and chronic stress are disorders that cannot be simply wished away. A comprehensive treatment is best and undoubtedly the only option for completely eradicating these conditions. For an immediate and temporary solution, however, fidget cubes have proven to be highly effective at quickly relieving stress and reducing anxiety. As stress and anxiety tend to affect specific body parts especially the hands and fingers by causing restlessness, tingling, cramping and shaking, fidget cubes have seemingly become a “good-fit” solution. Before the fidget cube, coping mechanisms such as picking, nail biting, fiddling with jewelry or other types of objects in our pockets would be the choice of distraction and comfort seeking. Now, the appeasing effects of a fidget cube toy simply facilitate the need to fidget and the process of fidgeting by acting as a calming mechanism.

How Fidget Cubes Help to Improve Focus and Concentration

According to an article published in 2015 in The Atlantic, Julie Beck points out that a pair of determined researchers at the Polytechnic Institute of New York University ascertained that “minor distractions such as playing with a fidget widget can help boost productivity by simply giving the mind a break.” The researchers found that these “playful secondary actions” apparently makes it easier to pay attention and “support primary serious tasks.”. According to these researchers, what makes this device more effective is that it is user-friendly and soothing to the hand. This means that, while playing with the toy in your hand, you are able to concentrate on user-friendly tasks without focusing on what is going on in your hands.

Difficulty to focus for both children and adults is primarily because they are easily distracted. These focus-enhancing toys help to gain sensory-motor inputs. A form of brain stimulation which enables increased focus on the task at hand. It might take a little while to get used to playing with but, just as with learning to drive a car, once you’re accustomed to it, it becomes second nature.

How Fidget Cubes Help with Autism, ADHD, and Dyslexia

According to a post on Additude, Roland Rotz, and Sarah Wright point out that extensive research shows that physical activity, even a little foot tapping, gum chewing, or playing with your fingers can help boost the levels of our neurotransmitters (dopamine and norepinephrine) in the brain. Chemicals of which play a key role in sharpening focus and increasing attention. These studies suggest that a subtle fidget can come in handy in fighting boredom, blocking out distractions, and increasing productivity. Since most sensory processing disorders are a result of neurotransmitter dysfunction, fidget cubes can be extremely helpful.

Since most sensory processing disorders are a result of neurotransmitter dysfunction, fidget cubes can be extremely helpful. Experts agree that for physical activity to be effective it has to be deliberate. And, fidget cubes mechanisms certainly require deliberate actions. These ‘tools’, however, don’t impose a distraction from your primary task. A ‘useful distraction’, if you like, for people with ADHD, dyslexia, and autism. Dr. Rachel Andrew tells Ellen Scott for Metro UK that the fidget cube can help people with ADHD or ASD by providing either “sensory stimulation or distraction” which as a result can help to improve focus and concentration. Research is still inconclusive as to the validity of how effective. This suggests there is a need for more evidence to ascertain just how effective fidget cubes are in managing sensory processing disorders.

How Fidget Cubes Help to Improve Relaxation

Nothing is more frustrating than being unable to stay calm and relaxed when you desperately need to be. It can not only affect productivity at work but also make you socially awkward and unable to communicate effectively. Some signs that you are not relaxed include; sweating profusely, fidgeting and even stammering. In these types of situations and scenarios, these devices come in handy in helping you get rid of all the negative energy without exerting too much effort. By keeping your hands busy playing with the fidget cube, you are able to relax and stay calm even when in fear or under pressure.

The Best Fidget Cubes You Can Buy

While Antsy Labs deserve credit for inventing the fidget cube, their fulfilling system has worked out so well. Their Kickstarter page shows more than 31,500 comments. Most of which are customers complaining about still not receiving their fidget cube. This is after already waiting months with little to no response from Antsy Labs or their fulfillment center. If, however, you’re in the market for a fidget cube of your own, the good news is Antsy Labs aren’t the only one’s producing the fidget cubes. Since entering the market, many other labels have produced their own fidget cube, some of which are as good or better quality with a much lower price tag.

After scouring the internet and retail stores, it’s clear the demand for fidget cubes is very high. They can range in price anywhere between $5–$35 depending on where you get it and the quality of it. Here are what I think are the best and cheapest fidget cubes you can get right now. These are the only fidget cubes that received a high volume of authentic and positive customer ratings and reviews.

❑ FabQuality Cube 6 Sides

❑ Trianium Fidget Cube

❑ FabQuality Cube 12 Sides

Bottom-line

Although it initially seemed simple, Mark and Matthew McLachlan invented an effective and highly functional product. Fidget cubes are making waves and receiving extensive acceptance worldwide. A big reason for this is because of the scientific evidence that proves it can help address a wide spectrum of issues. Matters that hinder us from being at our best and performing at our optimum level. Are your hands constantly moving? Are you addicted to biting and picking on your nails? Or is your child facing debilitating concentration issues? If so, maybe a fidget cube might be the answer. At least for now. The secret is to choose one that you are comfortable with and feels good in your hand. Who knows, you might just find that a fidget cube maybe the comforting device you never knew you needed.

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