Many of us suffer from anxiety and it can affect us in all sorts of different ways. Whether it’s a fear of socialising or an intense worry about the future, we all search for ways to relieve our stress! For a long time, research has suggested that distracting the mind with an activity can create a calm headspace, reducing feelings of anxiety in stressful situations. These sorts of activities can include colouring in, doing a crossword or fiddling with something in our hands (just look at stress balls and fidget spinners). The anxiety ring was born out of this idea whereby parts of the ring can move and provide a fidget for someone feeling anxious. The hope is that, by encompassing the mind in a simple activity, the mind is less focused on the anxiety and in turn the negative feelings will reduce.

What is an anxiety ring? 

 Anxiety rings can come in many different forms, such as spinning bands or a rolling bead. This picture of our beautiful Camille ring is an example of a spinning band anxiety ring. The idea is that a part of the ring can be moved or fiddled with in some way using your thumb or other hand. Through fidgeting with the ring, the mind becomes distracted from the anxious thoughts, allowing space for calmness. 

Do anxiety rings work?

 There is evidence to support the idea that using an anxiety ring to distract the mind can reduce anxious feelings. Many people suffering with anxiety find that having a fidget or distraction helps keep them calm when feelings of anxiety arise. Having something to fidget with can also reduce self-damaging behaviours such as nail biting or skin pulling. However, everyone has a different experience when it comes to anxiety and therefore it is simply down to the individual as to whether a fidget ring would help them or not. 

In terms of a bigger picture, anxiety rings may not cure your anxiety and shouldn’t be a replacement for professional help such as medication or therapy. However, they may well help in a moment of stress – you don’t know unless you try!