Anxious

[Mojogone]

I seem to keep shaking my legs when watching tv or just sitting.. my wife keeps telling me to keep still. It's difficult I don't realise I am doing it, does anyone have the same problem

[Agora1]

Mojogone, it is a very common issue with anxiety. Our over sensitized nervous system is always working overtime even when sitting and trying to relax. Having someone tell you to sit still doesn't work but just draws more focus in what you are doing subconsciously.

Your legs shaking while watching tv is just a way for the body to release some of that

extra adrenaline in you.

I'm glad to welcome you to our support group. You are definitely not alone my friend xx

[Mojogone in reply to Agora1]

Hiya

Thank you for your reply.. yes when my wife has a go at me is frustrating, I tend to move to another room.. I do try to stop , but very difficult, glad I am not on my own. xx

[Doggie123-UK]

I have been doing it for years, told many times to stop but cannot seem to do so, always used the excuse that I was exercising my legs by doing it, have to consciously stop then find I am doing it again without noticing

[GJRWS]

Yep been doing it for years and always getting told off by my family but can't help it as I'm unaware!!!! I have noticed it does get worse if I am particularly anxious about something.

[blueorganic1021]

I am constantly catching myself doing things like this all the time! Everything from shaking my legs, to tapping my fingers, twirling my pen, bouncing my feet, chewing on my pen lid, and even lightly rocking or swaying back and forth.

You are absolutely correct, most often when I do happen to notice it, I had no idea I was doing it until that moment. It almost feels like an automatic reflex for me sometimes, that simply can’t be controlled.

Definitely when someone else makes me aware of it, the urge to do it seems even greater, and my ability to control it decreases significantly. The more anxious I am feeling, the more I am subconsciously compelled to find ways to release this nervous tension, even though I am completely unaware of it at least a good 80% of the time.

I think this may be one of the many reasons why daily physical activity and exercise are proven to decrease anxiety. By setting aside that time every day to decompress and to release tension and frustration, we help train our body and our mind to release that extra energy at a more appropriate time. Daily exercise is also beneficial for a whole host of other reasons, the main one being improved sleep, which can make a huge difference in anxiety.

Overall however, I think that anyone with mild to moderate anxiety will potentially still have issues with this nervous energy, as there is no one specific treatment, that I am aware of, that just stops it completely.

So basically I’m right there with ya, bouncing my feet as I type this. 😜