Have you been surprised by moving a leg without stopping while sitting? Or while in any meeting, any of the attendees not stop performing this movement?
This gesture is so common that it is part of our daily routine: while we work, study or simply wait for something. However, if you look carefully, you can say a lot of interior.
On many occasions, this movement may seem upset; However, it has an explanation both scientific and psychological and, Frequently, it can be related to stress, anxiety or mental health.
The psychologist Daniella Feterman Arroyo mentions that This type of repetitive or automatic movements can be a way to release accumulated energy, regulate the activation of the nervous system or even manifest an internal concern.
Why do I move a leg while I am sitting?
Feterman indicates that these types of involuntary movements in the body can have different causes, among which are:
- Need to release stress or anxiety
- Need to release energy
- Learned habits
- Neurological component
The psychologist recommends observing the context in which the movement occurs and if it is accompanied by discomfort or difficulty to function normally, since, in those cases, it is necessary to consult with a specialist.
While there is a slight difference between those who use this movement to calm or stay emotionally regulated, in other cases it can reflect anxiety.
“Some people move their legs or balance slightly to concentrate better, especially if they have difficulty paying attention or concentrating (as in the case of ADHD). In other cases, this movement is accompanied by tension, intrusive or repetitive thoughts, or, for some internal discomfort, which may indicate anxiety,” says Feterman.
When a simple movement becomes a problem
According to Feterman, our nervous system seeks a balance and sometimes uses the body as a channel to process emotions or channel energy. “The leg movement, suddenly, can be an unconscious response, but fulfills a function of regulating what is happening inside,” says the expert.
However, as in many psychological issues, this movement can be harmful when it interferes with day to day, relationships or work.
The psychologist indicates that attention should be paid to movement in the following cases:
- If we find it hard to be in spaces where we cannot move
- If the movement is so constant that it exhausts or deconcentrates
- If it is done without being able to stop it, even if you try
“All this could be a sign that the body is asking for another form of emotional regulation. Ideally, I recommend seeking psychological support,” he says.
What does the science of involuntary legs say?
There is a neurological condition known as restless legs syndrome that causes a strong need to move your legs. According to Mayo Clinic, the need to move is due to a sense of discomfort in the legs and usually occurs mainly in the afternoon or at night, when who suffers it is sitting or lying.
This syndrome, also known as Willis-Ekbom’s disease, can begin at any age, but tends to get worse as the years go by.
Among its main symptoms are:
- Feeling of discomfort that begins during the break
- Relief with movement
- Worsening of symptoms in the afternoon
- Involuntary movements on the legs during the night or while sleeping
- Tickle or tingling
- Pulls
- Pulsatile sensation
- Pain
- Itch
- Electric shocks
Unlike leg movement caused by stress, anxiety or as a form of emotional release, this syndrome produces intense and unpleasant sensations on the legs and feet, although rarely it can also affect the arms. In some cases, the symptoms disappear for periods and then reappear.
