Have you ever found yourself sitting at your desk, shaking your leg without even realizing it? Or has someone pointed out that you’ve been bouncing your leg up and down during a meeting or conversation?
While leg shaking may seem like a harmless habit, it can be distracting and disruptive to both yourself and those around you. In this article, we will explore the five potential culprits of leg shaking and provide tips to help you stop it.
Why Do I Shake My Leg When Sitting?
Leg shaking is a common habit that many people engage in without even realizing it. It’s often a subconscious movement that can be triggered by a variety of factors, such as boredom, nervousness, or caffeine intake.
Some people may even have a medical condition that causes them to shake their legs. Whatever the reason may be, leg shaking can be annoying and distracting to both yourself and others.
1. Anxiety
One of the most common causes of leg shaking is anxiety. When you’re anxious, your sympathetic nervous system gets stimulated, triggering an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and overall psychological arousal.
This can cause you to feel restless and want to move, leading to leg shaking. According to John Winkelman, MD, PhD, the chief of the Sleep Disorders Clinical Research Program at Massachusetts General Hospital, anxiety-related leg shaking is particularly common among young people.
If you find yourself shaking your leg due to anxiety, there are several things you can do to manage it. One helpful technique is deep breathing exercises, which can calm your nerves and reduce anxiety.
You can also try mindfulness meditation or yoga practice, both of which can help you relax and stay focused. If you’re struggling with severe anxiety or feel like it’s affecting your daily life, consider seeking professional help from a therapist or counselor.
2. Caffeine
Another potential culprit of leg shaking is caffeine. If you consume a lot of caffeine throughout the day, it can make you feel jittery and restless. This can lead to leg shaking as your body tries to release some of the excess energy.
Caffeine is a stimulant that can also worsen anxiety symptoms, making leg shaking even more common in those who are already prone to anxiety.
To reduce caffeine-related leg shaking, try cutting back on your caffeine intake or switching to decaf coffee or tea. You may also want to avoid consuming caffeine later in the day so that it doesn’t interfere with your sleep.
It’s important to note that if you’re used to consuming large amounts of caffeine regularly, reducing your intake too quickly can lead to withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, and irritability. It’s best to gradually decrease your intake over time to avoid these side effects.
3. Restless Leg Syndrome
In some cases, leg shaking may be a symptom of restless leg syndrome (RLS), a neurological disorder that causes uncomfortable sensations in the legs and an irresistible urge to move them.
RLS can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, iron deficiency, and certain medications. People with RLS often describe their leg shaking as a crawling, itching, or tingling sensation that is only relieved by movement.
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, RLS occurs in about seven to 10 percent of the US population.
If you suspect that your leg shaking may be related to RLS, it’s important to talk to your doctor. They can perform a physical examination and recommend appropriate treatment options, which may include lifestyle changes, medication, or other therapies.
4. Medication
If you’ve recently started taking a new medication or have increased your alcohol or nicotine usage and noticed a tremor in your legs, it may be time to cut back and/or talk to your healthcare provider.
This is referred to as a drug-induced tremor, according to the National Library of Medicine’s, Medline Plus. Some common drugs that can cause tremors include the following, per Medline Plus:
- Cancer medicines such as thalidomide and cytarabine
- Seizure medicines such as valproic acid (Depakote) and sodium valproate (Depakene)
- Asthma medicines such as theophylline and albuterol
- Immune-suppressing medicines such as cyclosporine and tacrolimus
- Mood stabilizers such as lithium carbonate
- Stimulants such as caffeine and amphetamines
- Antidepressant drugs such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclics
- Certain antibiotics
- Steroids
- Alcohol
- Nicotine
5. Certain Conditions
Finally, leg shaking may be a symptom of an underlying medical condition. Some conditions that can cause leg shaking include Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and peripheral neuropathy.
If you’re experiencing leg shaking along with other symptoms such as tremors, muscle weakness, or numbness, it’s important to see a doctor for a proper diagnosis.
If your leg tremors are accompanied by trouble moving or walking, change in handwriting, and trouble sleeping (all early signs of Parkinson’s, per the Parkinson’s Foundation) — or fatigue, numbness, tingling, or blurry vision (common symptoms of MS, per the Mayo Clinic) — talk to your doctor.
ADHD is another common condition that can be associated with leg shaking, among other things (e.g. impulsiveness, trouble multitasking, frequent mood swings, per the Mayo Clinic).
In the context of ADHD, these types of leg tremors are referred to as stimming, or the unconscious repetition of certain sounds or movements as a form of self-stimulatory behavior, according to the Attention Deficit Disorder Association.
If you think your leg shaking could be a symptom of ADHD, talk to a healthcare provider who will ideally be able to diagnose you and suggest the best course of action.
The Bottom Line
Leg shaking may seem like a harmless habit, but it can be distracting and disruptive to both yourself and those around you. If you find yourself shaking your leg frequently, it’s important to identify the potential culprits and take steps to stop it.
Whether it’s reducing caffeine intake, practicing relaxation techniques, or seeking medical treatment for an underlying condition, there are many strategies that can help you manage leg shaking and improve your overall well-being.
