How FOCAL Helps

SCIENCE & RESEARCH

Grounded in neuroscience,
driven by design

We took our 10+ years of product design experience and created neuroscience-driven objects that help you reduce stress & burnout.

View the Collection

THE THEORY

Three neuroscientific principles behind this project

FOCAL is rooted in well-established principles of cognitive science that will help you optimize stress management and prevent burnout.

Attention needs guidance

Principle n.1

Simple Explanation

40 sec read

Stress creates a cognitive feedback loop that is difficult to break through willpower alone. Neuroscience suggests that attempting to mentally "turn off" anxiety often amplifies it, due to a phenomenon known as ironic processing. To de-escalate, the brain must be attracted by outward-attention, and slow, rhythmic visual stimuli can interrupt the internal cycle of stress.

Key Takeaway

We cannot force attention but we can guide it.

Try it yourself

10 sec test

Try it yourself

10 sec test

Clear your mind completely. Now, try not to visualize a pink elephant. The image appears instantly, doesn't it? This proves that attention cannot be suppressed, it must be redirected.

Senses before thoughts

Principle n.2

Simple Explanation

35 sec read

The nervous system responds faster to sensory input than to thought. Rhythmic touch, movement, or patterns send a direct "safety" signal, bypassing the anxious mind and activating the body's natural calm response. This is why we instinctively fidget with objects when we feel stressed or anxious.

Key Takeaway

Use sensory stimulation to regulate stress.

Try it yourself

30 sec test

Try it yourself

30 sec test

You can neuro-hack yourself to calm by touching or rubbing objects with distinct textures (a pen grip, a sleeve, a ceramic cup) for as little as 30 seconds. Notice how you start to feel more relaxed.

Repetition rewires the brain

Principle n.3

Simple Explanation

45 sec read

Your brain physically changes based on what you do repeatedly. This is known as neuroplasticity. By consistently pairing a specific sensory anchor (a tiny action) with a moment of calm or focus, you forge a new neural pathway. Over time, the brain learns the shortcut: the simple physical action instantly triggers the associated mental state. It's muscle memory for your mind.

Key Takeaway

Small, repeated actions build strong neural pathways.

Try it yourself

10 sec test

Try it yourself

10 sec test

Picture a blue round tin of butter cookies. You open the lid. What's inside? If you said "sewing supplies," you have just proven neuroplasticity. The label says "cookies", but repeated experience has rewired your brain's expectation.

THE PRACTICE

How do our stress-relief tools embody these principles?

They combine:

Hypnotic flowing motion to guide the attention away from stress.
Satisfying stimulation to ground yourself in the present moment.
Physical form to encourage a repeatable pattern.

THE MECHANISM

FOCAL objects are not meant to replace meditation, therapy, or rest. They are designed to offer small, accessible moments of calm throughout your day.

Simple. Physical. Repeatable.

HOW TO USE THEM

The most effective way to use our calming devices

When you start feeling anxious or stressed, try to follow this simple method:

Cognitive Reset

STEP 1

Interrupt repetitive thinking and rumination by redirecting attention.

Sensory Reset

STEP 2

Touch, observe and play with them to anchor your mind in the present.

Breathing Reset

STEP 3

Notice how your breathing rhythm has changed, it's a powerful signal of safety for your nervous system.

Cognitive Reset

STEP 1

Interrupt repetitive thinking and rumination by redirecting attention.

Sensory Reset

STEP 2

Touch, observe and play with them to anchor your mind in the present.

Breathing Reset

STEP 3

Notice how your breathing rhythm has changed, it's a powerful signal of safety for your nervous system.

Why they work

Why physical
objects work
so well

The power of a physical anchor.

Our mind often forgets and what starts as focus can quickly become mental fog.

Through hypnotic movement and optical flow, these instruments:

pull attention effortlessly
don’t require excessive willpower
invite interaction instead of instruction

They become a permanent visual reminder to take the pause you usually forget.

29%

Increased Retention

Compared to passive breaks

30s

Vagus Nerve Activation

2X Faster than breathing meditations

54%

Anxiety Reduction

Physical relief compared to static stillness

31%

Cortisol Reduction

Results comparable to a warm shower

30s

Vagus Nerve Activation

2X Faster than breathing meditations

54%

Anxiety Reduction

Physical relief compared to static stillness

31%

Cortisol Reduction

Results comparable to a warm shower

Design is

in our Dna

Focal creations are precisely machined out of aerospace-grade aluminium and stainless steel. Years of testing guarantee they're perfectly balanced, crafted to perfection, and made to last.

LEADING ORGANIZATIONS TRUST FOCAL

“Our creative team loved these last year. Something playful and engaging, yet aesthetic by itself even as a desk ornament. They’ve become a signature element in the studio, and clients constantly notice them when they come over.”

Adrien P. – Creative Director

At BetterUp Inc.

“We needed a thoughtful, premium gift for clients, something that wouldn’t feel generic. These ended up being perfect. Clients loved them, tried them right away and gasped, and even asked where they could purchase additional ones for their offices.”

Sophia M. – PR Director

At INVENSITY GmbH

“I ordered 100 units as a year-end gift for the engineering floor. They looked like cool desk toys, but I did not expect our guys to actually use them every day. It became an instant hit in the office and a small ritual during breaks. Best team gift we’ve done so far.”

Daniel R. – Engineering Manager

At Matterport LLC

“"I keep one on my desk for deep work sessions. There is something incredibly satisfying about the weight and motion that helps clarify my thoughts. It’s far more sophisticated than a standard fidget tool—it feels like a precision instrument.””

Elias T. – CTO

At Horizon Labs

“As designers, we are incredibly picky about what sits on our desks. The build quality here is exceptional. Heavy, cold to the touch, and perfectly machined. Everyone who walks into my office picks it up immediately.””

Elena K. – Architect

At Omni Studio

““We bought these for our strategy offsite, and they were the highlight of the event. Usually, corporate gifts end up in a drawer, but these are on everyone’s desks months later. It provides a perfect tangible disconnect during long Zoom marathons.””

James L. – VP of Strategy

At Beacon Strategy Group