Fidgeting: The Science-Backed Superpower for Event Attendees

As event attendees, we've all been there – long sessions trying to absorb information while battling the urge to drift into a daydream. But what if we told you that there's a quirky habit that might just be the key to unlocking your concentration superpower? That habit? Fidgeting.

Let’s explore how the creative practice of fidgeting has been proven to enhance cognitive engagement to keep you focused, engaged, and absorbing content like a pro.

The Science Behind Fidgeting

A once-dismissed behavior, fidgeting, has recently been identified as a valuable concentration tool. According to ADDitude Magazine, fidgeting is often associated with individuals who have ADHD, and these individuals might naturally fidget as an often subconscious way to stimulate their brains, helping them to concentrate. This association sparked researchers' interest in exploring how fidgeting could also benefit concentration for neurotypical people.

Many regard fidgeting as a sign of restlessness, but recent research has recognized its potential benefits for concentration and content absorption. The National Center for Biotechnology Information conducted research demonstrating that fidgeting can enhance cognitive performance by increasing alertness and improving information retention, making it a valuable tool in settings where learning and concentration are crucial.

Fast Company also reports that fidgeting can help reduce stress while increasing focus. Subtle movements like tapping a foot or playing with a small object in your hands activates parts of the brain that might otherwise be dormant when you’re attempting to focus on a single task for an extended period of time; this stimulation can help maintain a state of alertness, allowing you to maintain focus.

Other theories into how fidgeting keeps the mind engaged while still allowing for concentration include:

• Increasing the production of neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine, which boost attention and focus.
• Acting as a self-soothing mechanism to reduce anxiety or stress, clearing the way for better concentration
• The idea that movement can be linked to better memory and learning. The act of fidgeting might help anchor information, making it easier to recall later.

How Fidgeting Ties into Your Event Experience

While it might seem unrelated at first glance, fidgeting plays a surprisingly significant role in enhancing your overall event experience. Let's delve into how these subtle movements can positively impact your concentration and retention.

1. Optimized Concentration: Embracing fidgeting as a concentration aid, as highlighted in the research, can help you remain engaged during lectures and presentations without drifting off or becoming distracted by your phone.

2. Content Absorption: CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) suggests that fidgeting can improve your ability to absorb information. Whether you're jotting down notes, tapping your fingers, or discreetly using a fidget device, these movements can keep your brain in active mode, enhancing focus and facilitating better retention of the presented material.

3. Stress Management: Events can be overwhelming, especially for introverted, socially anxious or other neurodiverse individuals. Fidgeting serves as a natural stress reliever, helping to alleviate anxiety and making networking interactions easier.

4. Active Engagement: When attending panel discussions or interactive sessions, subtle fidgeting can help you remain actively engaged by providing a sensory outlet, allowing your mind to process information without becoming overwhelmed or distracted.

Embrace Your Inner Fidgeter

While fidgeting might seem like a mere quirk to some, its potential benefits are undeniable. It's true that not everyone will experience the same advantages, but the mounting evidence cannot be ignored. In the bustling realm of events, where distractions are many, and attention is gold, fidgeting emerges not as a mere habit but as a strategic tool. It's more than just a sign of restlessness; it's a testament to the brain's desire to optimize its performance.

So, the next time you're at an event, don't suppress that urge to tap your pen or squeeze that stress ball. Welcome your inner fidgeter. By doing so, you might just find that your focus sharpens, your understanding deepens, and your overall event experience becomes richer and more memorable.

Cited sources:

https://www.popsci.com/story/science/fidget-explainer/

https://www.additudemag.com/focus-factors/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3776418/

https://chadd.org/attention-article/harness-fidgeting-to-improve-focus/

https://www.fastcompany.com/3044026/the-science-of-why-we-fidget-while-we-work