Glitz meets wellness in one of summer 2022’s most unexpected jewelry trends, anxiety rings. These pieces are touted by sellers as ways to manage anxiety discreetly and effectively, since they have moving parts that pleasantly turn and twist, enabling the wearer to play with them without attracting too much attention to the fact that they’re, you know, playing with them. We’ve noticed these fidget spinners for grown-ups on TikTok, but are they really suitable as calming tools?
Anxiety Rings Are the New Fidget Spinners. We Asked a Psychologist If They Really Work
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Published Jun 17, 2022
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Etsy
They can be, according to Dr. Monica Vermani, clinical psychologist and author of A Deeper Wellness: Conquering Stress, Mood, Anxiety and Traumas. “The key to lowering anxiety through any device, be it a piece of jewelry, or a fidget toy is the intention of the user,” she tells us. “When we associate an object with positive coping and soothing, it becomes just that. We’ve [likely] heard the phrase, What you focus on expands. When we turn to comfort food for comfort, it works. When we focus on using a ring, a bracelet, a gemstone or a fidget spinner… that device calms us,” she says.
“People with anxiety disorders (generalized anxiety disorders, social anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, social phobia) or attention issues (attention deficit disorder/attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder) who find it challenging to sit still may fidget when they are feeling anxious, restless, impatient or nervous. Fidget toys— including anxiety rings—give these movements an outlet and a focus. They can help calm a person’s nerves, counter and relieve stress through self-soothing, and serve as a distraction in an environment or situation where they are over-stimulated.”
That’s the case with one early adopter of the anxiety ring trend, Manhattan-based marketing executive Jon Paul Buchmeyer. “As a champion debater in high school and college, I developed a habit of spinning my pen in one hand as a way to alleviate pressure. But when I got to the real world, I needed a less distracting substitute for spinning a pen in high-pressure meetings,” he says. “On a trip to Bali touring the John Hardy design shop, I discovered the designer's spinning pinky ring and fell in love. That ring got me through some particularly stressful times.” We’ve tracked down that John Hardy design, as well as some other popular anxiety rings, for you to admire and possibly even fiddle with during your next anxiety event.
Madewell
1. Madewell Roller Ring
Three gold-plated brass bands rotate over one another while you wear them.
Amazon
2. 366 Days Cubic Zirconia Anxiety Ring
A simple line of CZ makes this the eternity ring for the White Claw generation.
John Hardy
3. John Hardy Reticulated Rotating Band Ring
A central band of flame-sculpted sterling silver rotates in this luxurious men’s keepsake that we’re tempted to wear on our thumb.
Amazon
4. Alextina Anxiety Ring
In stainless steel, this glitter-finish ring has an outer rim that spins. It’s available in a dozen colors and patterns.
Amazon
5. Boho Magic Sterling Silver Spinner Ring
A chunky band of silver spins smoothly around the ring’s slender side panels.
Etsy
6. Favor Jewelry Bead Stacking Ring
A collection of yellow gold-filled and sterling silver beads spin on this delicate ring that looks and feels even better in multiples.
