What is the deal with fidget spinners? I was asking myself the same question months ago when the spinner craze first began. The popularity of these little contraptions seemingly spiked overnight. Realistically, it was over the course of a couple weeks; years if you count the fidget spinner's origins dating back to 1993.

But beyond the sudden interest in fidget spinners among kids and adults alike, how does one justify spending the five to 20 dollars on something that isn't scientifically proven to work?

I don't have ADHD or the social pressure of my peers flicking and spinning three-bladed objects around me 24/7. I'm an average 20-year-old in college with a disposition toward tapping my finger, bouncing my leg (a family trait, I'm told), clicking a pen, and finding other methods to distract my body while Mr. Brain gets to work.

I don't have an educated understanding of the psychological effects/benefits behind stress-relief objects, so I won't make a judgment call on the effectiveness of fidget spinners in places like classrooms.

So why did I drop $6 on something with little to no scientific backing, a popularity outside my generation, and arguably no purpose whatsoever? I'll answer a question with a question: Have you tried one?

Believe me, fidget spinners look ridiculous in anyone's hands except your own. I dare you this week to spend an extra two minutes at the next gas station kiosk and just pick one up.

It's surprisingly fun! I genuinely thought the spinning was a gimmick at first. However, after a few minutes of mindless flicking and feeling the physics of one... it just clicks spins.

For three days, I've kept my matte black spinner on/in hand while at work, grocery shopping, watching TV and tried to make an informed decision on how it's beneficial to ME.

Personally, I think an item can only be declared as effective if it satisfies and aptly serves its purpose. In the case of the fidget spinner, it's difficult to look at one and immediately think therapy tool. I don't doubt that the spinning motion (possibly mixed with a little placebo effect) is helpful and even beneficial to certain individuals. On the other hand, I have ultimately come to view the fidget spinner as a beneficial distraction.

Sounds like an oxymoron, I know. But during long sessions of focus or work, it's useful to give your mind a small rest from time to time. You likely already do this yourself but in a few different ways: Going for a quick walk, pushing away from your desk to breathe, checking notifications, standing up to stretch, or perusing the interwebs for anything to take your mind off the task at hand. Breaks like this are essential in allowing our brains to recuperate, problem-solve, and allocate adequate attention to our daily projects.

Fidget spinners may be a complete distraction for some and a focusing mechanism for others. I'm not here to judge. In the case of this college student, I think it's a therapeutic and moderately effective way of allowing the brain to wander while the subconscious churns through daily issues and decisions. Not to mention it's really fun and oddly addicting.

Let me know what your experience has been with fidget spinners in the comments below! Or pick one up yourself and tell me what you think.