Anxiety is very prevalent in Indigenous communities due to various factors. It is manifested physically in a plethora of ways:
- Movement
- Shaking
- Tapping
- Deconcentration
- Panic
- Silence
- Shyness
- Avoiding eye contact
- Not knowing what to do with your hands
Fidgets allow the body to use up its energy and calm down. Anxiety often involves the looping of thoughts— if an activity is done continuously instead, the mind does not have to continue its cycle. Fidgets help to reduce that anxiety— keeping the body occupied so the mind can rest. For many, fight or flight occurs even when one is not in danger. To be stagnant might make some feel vulnerable; like the canoe, if we keep floating along we are consistently going somewhere. When one does not have control of their environment, situation, or in this case, a presentation, having something they can control can be euphoric. For many, movement means safety due to the nature of having control.
Finding your roots:
Movement and sounds can be grounding— like placing our feet on the earth and taking a breath, movement can allow our bodies to find comfort in a space. Fidgeting often causes sound, although this can be bothersome, a light tapping sound, the sound of keyboard keys, or the clicking of a pen can allow for comfort, much like the sound of the wind, the waves, or the rain.
Anxious Minds, Anxious Bodies
The restless mind makes the body move— when one cannot find structure in their thoughts, one often searches for a physical manifestation of that structure. A structure can simply be a drawing, a doodle, or writing on a piece of paper. When anxious thoughts arise, it can be difficult to focus on anything else, therefore, having something to manifest that anxiety physically allows your mind to rest.
Concentration by Deconcentrating — Action vs Thought
For some individuals, having to focus on only one thing can cause a lot of stress. These individuals often require a second activity to make their experiences more enjoyable. The concept of concentration by deconcentrating is something that can be used when reading, writing, or learning something new on an instrument. By doing two or three things at once, you allow your brain to not hyper-focus one thing but rather to naturally act.
Drawing Distracts You From Unwanted Thoughts
Art can be relaxing; it is a way to express yourself and be creative. It does not have boundaries— said simply, you can colour outside the lines without consequence or worry of reprimand.
Things that can be used to fidget:
- Fidget spinner
- Fidget blocks
- Colouring books
- Pens/markers/crayons/pencils and paper
- Slinkies
- Beadwork kits
- Hand sewing project
- Mr. Tangle
- Rings/necklaces/jewelry
- Pen caps
- Bobby pins
- Elastics
- Tape
- Magnets
- Playdough