India, Aug. 2 -- Ten years ago, stress balls dangled from bags. Today, tiny keyboard switches hang from keychains. They do not connect to laptops or type emails; they simply produce a rhythmic "thock" when pressed, and have become the internet's latest sensory obsession. Once limited to mechanical keyboards, keycaps have moved from desks to pockets and backpacks. Tapped during meetings, commutes or study breaks, they are marketed as portable stress relievers and focus tools.

Priyanka Tripathi, a counsellor and clinical hypnotherapist, says their appeal lies in instant sensory feedback. "People are constantly looking for quick ways to feel calmer and stay focused. They are affordable, portable and offer an immediate sensory experience," s...