Many habits come and go, but you might find one habit particularly persistent: shaking your leg whenever you’re sitting down. Sometimes, you might bounce loosely from the knee. Other times, your foot and ankle might be doing most of the rapid tapping.
In coffee shops, on dates, while riding the subway, and throughout work calls, this fidgeting might be so constant that you rarely notice it until a friend or partner places a steadying hand on your leg to quiet the tapping. You might notice that others in your family do it, too. So, why do you subconsciously shake your legs? And is there anything that can be done to reduce it?
What Causes Leg Bouncing?
Several factors can affect why we end up bouncing our legs without thinking about it. Getting to the source can be the key to calming the shake.
Stress and Anxiety
“In fact, doctors encourage exercise because it regulates anxiety, and mood [and] leg shaking is, in a certain sense, a form of exercise,” explains Cheryl Collins, MD, a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst based in Jackson, Wyoming. “One way of thinking about it is as a mini HIIT [high-intensity interval training].”
Serenity Serseción, PhD, a psychologist based in San Jose, California, suggests that fidgeting “has a similar but smaller effect to exercise when it is not possible, such as in a work situation.”
An Attempt to Concentrate
That said, Dr. Collins explains that this same effect may account for the increased incidents of leg shaking while you’re sitting at a desk. The stimulus can help quiet restless or hyperactive parts of the brain and help with focus, especially when dealing with a “negative stimulus” such as boredom or distraction.
Too Much Caffeine
A Need for Physical Release
Anything from injury to tiredness to simply being too busy can serve as a barrier to getting regular exercise. However, this can lead to a whole heap of pent-up energy.
Without physical activity, that energy has nowhere to go. Patrick Porter, PhD, a neuropsychology researcher and founder of BrainTap, explains that leg bouncing likely serves as “a subconscious means of physical release.”
When to See a Doctor About Leg Bouncing
Not all leg shaking is equal. “It’s vital to distinguish between simple leg shaking or fidgeting — a sign of nervousness, stress, or boredom — and restless legs syndrome, a recognized neurological disorder characterized by a strong, often irresistible urge to move one’s legs,” says Dr. Porter. “If discomfort or pain accompanies leg shaking, seek clinical advice from a healthcare professional.”
Do You Need to Do Anything About Leg Shaking?
Leg bouncing or shaking on its own doesn’t pose any real health problems, but you might find it stresses you or other people out or affects communication.
Porter acknowledges that “leg 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,” he says. “In quiet or shared spaces, this repetitive movement can be distracting or annoying to others.”
There is no apparent danger that comes with leg shaking (as long as pain doesn’t accompany it), and the movement can often provide relief. But it is sometimes distracting, can take a toll on your productivity, and can cause a sense of restlessness or agitation in the people around you.
If it bothers you, Porter suggests “recognizing when you’re shaking your leg and understanding the triggers” to help manage the habit. He recommends the following:
- Getting regular exercise
- Limiting caffeine intake
- Practicing healthy sleep habits
- Changing your posture
- Using stress management techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, or yoga
- Discussing underlying causes of anxiety with a mental health professional
- Replacing the habit with another movement-based behavior
The Takeaway
- Leg bouncing can often relate to anxiety, stress, or a buildup of physical energy and might serve a similar purpose to exercise while sitting.
- Although seen as a coping mechanism, excessive leg shaking coupled with pain or significant disruption to daily life might mean you’d benefit from talking to a healthcare professional.
- Cutting down on caffeine intake, incorporating regular exercise, and engaging in relaxation practices like meditation can help manage this habit.
- If leg bouncing begins to affect your social or professional interactions, identify your possible triggers and explore having open conversations for better management.
