{"id":5540,"date":"2023-07-12T03:05:26","date_gmt":"2023-07-11T20:05:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=5540"},"modified":"2023-07-12T03:05:26","modified_gmt":"2023-07-11T20:05:26","slug":"whats-behind-a-bouncing-leg-experts-explain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=5540","title":{"rendered":"What&#8217;s Behind a Bouncing Leg? Experts Explain"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"drop-cap text-big text-gray\"> <span class=\"drop-cap__first text-dropcap \">M<\/span>any habits come and go. Bitter polish rid me of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/how-to-stop-biting-nails\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/how-to-stop-biting-nails\/\">nail biting<\/a>; a teasing grandmother freed me from nervous <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/cracking-your-knuckles-bad-for-you\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/cracking-your-knuckles-bad-for-you\/\">knuckle cracking<\/a>. But there is one that has stuck around for as long as I can remember\u2014I am *always* shaking my leg whenever I\u2019m sitting down. Sometimes it&#8217;s a loose bounce from the knee; other times it&#8217;s more my foot and ankle that are rapidly tapping.<\/div>\n<p>In coffeeshops, on dates, while riding the subway, and throughout work calls, this fidgeting is so omnipresent that I rarely notice it until a friend places a steadying hand on my leg to quiet the tapping. This habit isn\u2019t unique; my dad, brother, and several friends do it, too.<\/p>\n<p>Why do we subconsciously shake our legs? And is there anything that can be done to tame the habit? I spoke to a psychiatrist and a neuroscience expert to hear what they have to say about this common tic.<\/p>\n<h2>Taking stock of my leg shaking<\/h2>\n<p>As I started working on this story, I spent two weeks tracking the when, where, and why of the habit. I\u2019d be waiting for a friend at a cafe and left alone with my mental to-dos for a moment too long\u2026 and my boot would start clicking against the table. Or I\u2019d be on a Zoom call listening to person after person present, knowing that my turn is approaching; with a mix of nerves and anticipation\u2026 tap, tap tap.<\/p>\n<div class=\"related-content \" style=\"\" data-module-init=\"related-content\" data-module-immediate=\"\" v-cloak=\"\">\n<div class=\"related-content__wrapper \" v-cloak=\"\" :class=\"{'is-loaded':isLoaded}\">\n<p> <span class=\"inline pr-6 text-seafoam-dark\">Related Stories<\/span> <\/p>\n<p> <related-content class=\"related-content__links\" parent-article-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/bouncing-leg\/\" current-title=\"Why Can\u2019t I Stop Bouncing My Leg? A Neuroscience Expert and Psychoanalyst Explain the Common Habit\" current-image=\"GettyImages-bouncing-leg.jpg\" v-on:parsely-posts-loaded=\"onPostsLoaded\" start-date=\"2023-01-11\" tag=\"div\" inline-template=\"\" url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/bouncing-leg\/\" secret=\"w5ztterVB03LGZJLfXS0hf3EvQBuFFIWew9hmVQxthU\" apikey=\"wellandgood.com\" limit=\"3\"> <\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"related-content__card mb-[10px] sm:mb-[20px]\" :class=\"{'related-content__card--full':posts.length === 1}\" v-for=\"(post, key) in posts\"> <a v-on:click.prevent=\"trackLinkGA($event, key)\" :href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/bouncing-leg\/post.url\" data-url-source=\"related-content\" class=\"related-content__link\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"\"> <\/p>\n<div class=\"related-content__card--image bg-tan\" :style=\"{ backgroundImage: 'url(' + post.image_url + ')' }\"> <img :src=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/bouncing-leg\/post.image_url\" :alt=\"post.title\"\/> <\/div>\n<p> <\/a>  <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> <\/related-content> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>I first wondered if there were any external factors that impacted my bouncing leg. But I found that the habit doesn\u2019t discriminate based on location, time of day, whether or not I have company, or what shoes I\u2019m wearing. (I send my condolences to anyone that\u2019s been around me during my vintage tap shoe loafer phase.)<\/p>\n<p>However, I did find a trend in how I was feeling. I was typically bored; tired; feeling anxious, stressed, or insecure; in physical pain; or excited.<\/p>\n<h2>What causes leg bouncing, according to science?<\/h2>\n<p>There can be a number of reasons why we end up bouncing our legs without thinking about it. Getting to the source can be the key to calming the shake.<\/p>\n<h3>Stress and anxiety<\/h3>\n<p>Anxiety disorders affect more than 31 percent of the U.S. population, according to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nimh.nih.gov\/health\/statistics\/any-anxiety-disorder\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.nimh.nih.gov\/health\/statistics\/any-anxiety-disorder\">National Institutes of Health<\/a>. The increased cortisol levels mean a higher heart rate and a compensatory need to move or \u201clet it out.\u201d That\u2019s because movement increases blood flow and can release tension that is being stored in muscles, making tapping a good coping mechanism.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn fact, doctors encourage exercise, because it regulates anxiety and mood [and] leg shaking is, in a certain sense, a form of exercise,\u201d explains <a href=\"https:\/\/jhfamilypsychiatry.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/jhfamilypsychiatry.com\/\">Cheryl Collins, MD, <\/a>a top psychiatrist and psychoanalyst. &#8220;One way of thinking about it is as a mini HIIT.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>As psychologist <a href=\"https:\/\/www.levelupsych.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.levelupsych.com\/\">Serenity Serseci\u00f3n, PhD,<\/a> previously told Well+Good, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/fidget-toys-for-adults\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/fidget-toys-for-adults\/\">fidgeting<\/a> &#8220;has a similar but smaller effect to exercise when it is not possible, such as in a work situation.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><em>Another way to de-stress? Through a mindful stretch session:\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"iframe-container\">\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"12 Minute De-Stress Stretch | Good Stretch | Well+Good\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/XWHLPt1r8ic?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h3>An attempt to concentrate<\/h3>\n<p>According to a 2015 <a href=\"https:\/\/clicks.trx-hub.com\/xid\/leafgroup_ca5e0_wellgood?q=https%3A%2F%2Fgo.skimresources.com%3Fid%3D104860X1561639%26xs%3D1%26xcust%3DSTMSHL-1089783%26url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Flink.springer.com%252Farticle%252F10.1007%252Fs10802-015-0011-1&amp;p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wellandgood.com%2Fbouncing-leg%2F&amp;event_type=click\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1007\/s10802-015-0011-1\">study<\/a>, \u201cresearch in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) suggests that repetitive movements improve concentration and attention.\u201d This same effect could account for the increased incidents of leg shaking while working from home. Dr. Collins explains that the stimulus can help quiet restless or hyperactive parts of the brain and even help with focus, especially when dealing with a \u201cnegative stimulus\u201d such as boredom or distraction.<\/p>\n<h3>Too much caffeine<\/h3>\n<p>Another contributing factor could be your soda or coffee intake. \u201cThe consumption of stimulants, such as caffeine, has the potential to intensify the rate and occurrence of leg shaking,\u201d both because it is a neurological stimulant and because increased caffeine intake is often linked to fatigue or exhaustion\u2014factors that exacerbate restlessness, brain fog, trouble focusing, and anxiety, notes <a href=\"https:\/\/www.betterhelp.com\/advice\/general\/why-do-people-shake-their-legs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.betterhelp.com\/advice\/general\/why-do-people-shake-their-legs\/\">Better Help<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>A need for physical release<\/h3>\n<p>Recently, I\u2019ve been nursing a hip and spine injury that has forced me to take a step back from running\u2014formerly, an integral part of my morning routine that rid me of a lot of pent-up energy. Without it, that energy has had nowhere to go and neuroscience expert and founder of BrainTap, <a href=\"https:\/\/braintap.com\/about-us\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/braintap.com\/about-us\/\">Patrick Porter, PhD<\/a>, explains that I\u2019ve likely been using my leg bouncing as \u201ca subconscious means of physical release.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>When it\u2019s something more serious<\/h2>\n<p>Not all leg shaking is equal. It is important to distinguish between \u201csimple leg shaking or fidgeting\u2014a sign of nervousness, stress, or boredom\u2014and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/restless-leg-syndrome-exercises\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/restless-leg-syndrome-exercises\/\">restless leg syndrome<\/a>, a recognized neurological disorder characterized by a strong, often irresistible urge to move one&#8217;s legs,\u201d says Dr. Porter. \u201cIf leg shaking is accompanied by discomfort or pain\u2026it is essential to seek health advice.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Should you tame the habit?<\/h2>\n<p>With a niggling sense of insecurity, I asked three friends their thoughts on how my leg shaking habit impacts them. Two laughed and said something to the effect of, you\u2019ve always done it, but we literally <em>all<\/em> do it. One joked about how her new job was going to make one leg 10 times stronger than the other because she taps all day. The third noted that, despite not being entirely conscious of it, the tapping sound and corresponding movement in the corner of her eye \u201cactually does add a bit of stress\u2026I don\u2019t think I realized until you mentioned it, but it kind of feels like we\u2019re in a rush. Like we\u2019re late for something.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Dr. Porter acknowledges that \u201cleg shaking might be perceived as a sign of nervousness or impatience by others, which can lead to miscommunication or misunderstanding in social or professional situations,\u201d he says. \u201cIn quiet or shared spaces, this repetitive movement can be distracting or annoying to others.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>There is no obvious danger that comes with leg shaking (as long as it\u2019s not accompanied by pain), and the movement can often feel helpful. But it is sometimes distracting, can take a toll on your productivity, and can cause a sense of restlessness or contagious agitation in the people around you.<\/p>\n<p>If it bothers you, Dr. Porter suggests \u201crecognizing when you&#8217;re shaking your leg and understanding the triggers\u201d to help manage the habit. He recommends getting regular exercise, limiting caffeine intake, practicing healthy sleep habits, changing your posture, and using stress management techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, yoga, or <a href=\"https:\/\/braintap.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/braintap.com\/\">BrainTap<\/a>. You can also address the nervous emotions that could be a trigger with a professional therapist. Similarly, substituting the habit with another movement-based behavior like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/fidget-toys-for-adults\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/fidget-toys-for-adults\/\">squeezing a stress ball<\/a> could also provide relief, notes Dr. Porter.<\/p>\n<p>The more I think about it, I realize that my leg shaking has been a way that I\u2019ve exercised control in situations where I feel that I lack it. For me, being conscious of the habit and writing down feelings that have triggered the tapping have been helpful in limiting its frequency. But unlike nail biting and knuckle cracking, I think my leg shaking will stick with me for a while.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div data-type=\"_mgwidget\" data-widget-id=\"1675549\">\r\n<\/div>\r\n<script>(function(w,q){w[q]=w[q]||[];w[q].push([\"_mgc.load\"])})(window,\"_mgq\");\r\n<\/script>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Many habits come and go. Bitter polish rid me of nail biting; a teasing grandmother freed me from nervous knuckle cracking. But there is one that has stuck around for as long as I can remember\u2014I am *always* shaking my leg whenever I\u2019m sitting down. Sometimes it&#8217;s a loose bounce from the knee; other times &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":5542,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5540","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5540","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5540"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5540\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5542"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5540"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5540"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5540"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}