Maria Katrina Paras

Article (news)

Squishy Toy Mental Health

<p>The ever-evolving world doesn’t just disrupt our attention and strain our mental state through relentless work and study; our screen time also plays a pivotal role in shaping our cognition. When algorithms feel like an endless void, and we find ourselves scrolling through a sea of content, we begin to experience unwanted <strong>overstimulation</strong>. In response, our<strong> </strong>tactile senses<strong> </strong>find comfort in <strong>squishy, fidgety toys</strong>—<strong>tactile anchors</strong> that lessen our craving for the infinite swipe.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1786510298077pexels-cottonbro-6144305.jpg" style="width:700px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Have you tried squishy toys for your mental health?</span></span></span></div><p>Long before squishy toys dominated the market, stress-relieving tactile tools were better known as sensory fidgets, taking the form of <strong>fidget spinners, stress balls, and bouncy bands. </strong>The most iconic of these was the fidget spinner, created by Catherine Hettinger. It promised to improve children&#x27;s focus in the classroom, boost academic performance, and, most importantly, relieve stress and anxiety.</p><p>While tactile sensory toys&#x27; main target is children, their function is also beneficial to adults, most especially in this new age of media when being glued to our screens is the main adversary. Below, we delve deeper into their benefits and why they help calm our nervous system and reduce mental fatigue.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Cognitive Redirection<br/></strong></div><p>Have you ever felt all the stress from work instantly melt away the moment you squeeze a squishy? It’s not just in your head; there’s real science behind it! Researcher <a href="https://www.shs-conferences.org/articles/shsconf/abs/2025/04/shsconf_messd2025_02027/shsconf_messd2025_02027.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Yuqi Liu</a> highlights that sensory-based interventions help redirect our cognitive attention, dispelling negative thoughts and reframing them in a more balanced, positive light. So the next time a pessimistic mindset takes over, reach for your favorite fidget toy and squeeze the anxiety away!</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1786510732431pexels-yankrukov-8617550.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" style="width:700px" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Tactile Sensory Tools Helping with Cognitive Redirection</span></span></span></div><div><br style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"/></div><div><strong>Tactile Sensory Tools&#x27; Anxiety Relief  </strong></div><p>Because present-moment focus interrupts the cycle of rumination, it effectively alleviates anxiety and breaks the brain&#x27;s negative feedback loop. While these sensory tools aren&#x27;t a one-size-fits-all solution—since coping mechanisms vary from person to person—they still play a valuable role in regulating attention and brain activity. According to <a href="https://www.standrewssukhumvit.com/science-behind-sensory-play/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">St. Andrews International School</a>, activities that provide deep pressure help regulate the nervous system and lower stress, offering an emotional lift whenever anxiety creeps in.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1786510830298pexels-mart-production-7699511.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Squishy Toys Reduces Mental Fatigue</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Squishy Toys&#x27; Benefits in the Long Run</strong></div><p>Our favorite stress relievers aren&#x27;t just great for easing mental fatigue—they are also remarkably practical for long-term brain health. With clear evidence showing they can help rebuild our attention span, frequent use of fidget tools stimulates the prefrontal cortex, the area responsible for focus and social interaction. It’s a win-win: these tools not only reduce daily anxiety, but they also actively support adaptive learning and cognitive performance.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1786510905978pexels-karola-g-7692895.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-rounded" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Fidget toys help with fostering creativity</span></span></span></div><p>The next time you need extra help, artificial intelligence isn&#x27;t the answer; our squishy materials could be the aid to further stretch and strengthen our mental capacity and creativity. Grab a squishy today!</p>

<p>When algorithms feel like an endless void, and we find ourselves scrolling through a sea of content, our tactile senses find comfort in squishy, fidgety toys, redirecting our craving for the infinite swipe</p>

When algorithms feel like an endless void, and we find ourselves scrolling through a sea of content, our tactile senses find comfort in squishy, fidgety toys, redirecting our craving for the infinite swipe

The Squishy: How Gen Z's Unexpected Anxiety Reliever is Good for Mental Health

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The Squishy: How Gen Z's Unexpected Anxiety Reliever is Good for Mental Health

Arci Claveria

Published August 12, 2026 02:00 PM PHT

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Updated August 12, 2026 02:16 PM PHT

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