Why Do People Experience Leg Shaking? Causes And Treatments

Medically reviewed by April Justice
Updated March 10, 2024by BetterHelp Editorial Team

Many people sometimes find themselves unconsciously moving or shaking their legs while sitting in a chair or at a desk or table. It may be nothing more than a bad habit, but that’s not always the case! Many things can cause leg shaking, from boredom to anxiety to neurological conditions. 

Here’s what to look out for and some ideas for how you can stop shaking your legs.

Getty/AnnaStills
Are you shaking your legs and don't know why?

Why do people shake their legs?

Some of the causes of leg shaking are nothing to worry about, while others may require the care of a doctor. Here are some of the things that may be causing your legs to shake and why.

Boredom

Boredom can be your body's way of telling you that you aren't getting enough stimulation. Bouncing or shaking your legs can provide just enough stimulus to distract you from whatever boring situation you find yourself in and relieve some of the tension of sitting still.

Concentration

Some people may unconsciously shake their legs while concentrating or trying to take in information while studying, writing, or working at a computer.

It's not completely clear why some people use repetitive movements when in a state of concentration, though some believe that the movement may help restless parts of the brain by giving them enough stimulus to keep from interrupting the concentrated state of mind. Research suggests that children with ADHD use repetitive motions in this manner.

Nervous Energy And Anxiety

If you feel nervous about a meeting but need to appear composed and confident, your legs might shake as an outlet while the rest of your body appears professionally poised. Sometimes, leg shaking is also used as an acceptable outlet for anxiety. Screaming or melting down is usually socially unacceptable in a hospital waiting room, business meeting, or courtroom, but quietly moving your legs is not, thus making it a more subtle way to release anxiety. 

It’s not entirely understood why repetitive movements like leg shaking help in these situations, but experts believe that You may shake your legs unintentionally as your body seeks to balance your emotions, especially if you happen to be neurodivergent. Some research suggests that adults with autism use repetitive motion to help manage uncertainty and anxiety in the same way.

Getty/AnnaStills

Medical conditions

In some cases, repetitive leg movements can be a symptom of an underlying medical condition, like nerve or brain damage, or thyroid issues. For example, people with restless leg syndrome (RLS) feel an uncontrollable urge to move their legs to alleviate crawling, itching, aching, or other unpleasant feelings. Uncontrollable tremors or tics can also be a symptom of Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis, nervous system disorders that impair a person's ability to consciously control their limbs and extremities.

Other causes of shaking

If shaking your legs is an uncontrollable habit interfering with your quality of life, it may be time to check in with your doctor or healthcare provider. Numerous medical conditions can cause leg shakes. Some are quite serious and related to brain function, so seeking the correct treatment is critical.

If you have other symptoms, such as restlessness, trouble sleeping, leg wounds, or unexplained weight loss, seek help from a healthcare provider immediately. These symptoms, as well as muscle spasms, unusual tingling sensations, permanent trembling, or loss of key bodily functions, could indicate a medical emergency.

How to stop shaking your legs

If an underlying medical condition isn’t the cause of your leg shaking, you can try a few things to stop the unwanted movement.

Try a different type of stimulation

If you routinely find yourself moving your legs because you're bored, try incorporating new stimuli. Taking notes, doodling on a sheet of paper, chewing gum, or having a mint can help, and there is a myriad of small fidget toys available you can play with that can help you stay calm and still. If you're really stuck, a good old thumb-twiddling session can be a subtle way to release some energy or tension.

Address your emotions

If you shake your legs when you're anxious, ask yourself what you are anxious about so you can begin to train your body to act differently next time. Sometimes, identifying your triggers can be difficult and time-consuming. Working with a qualified counselor or therapist can help. 

Make sure you're getting enough sleep

If you're not getting enough sleep, your body will naturally have less energy and motivation, leading to frustration, anxiety, and leg shaking. Try getting an extra hour or two of sleep and see how you feel. It could stop your trembling leg.

Try yoga or meditation

Relaxation techniques like yoga and meditation can help prevent repetitive movements by reducing stress and anxiety. Consider a brief 20-minute session to start off your day.

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Are you shaking your legs and don't know why?

Therapy can help

If your tremors seem to be caused by anxiety or another mental health disorder you cannot control, consider talking to a therapist. The trained, licensed online counselors at BetterHelp can help you address your concerns and develop a plan to manage your anxiety and other emotions that may impact your leg shaking.

Online therapy at BetterHelp has many benefits. If you’re experiencing leg shaking due to anxiety, the thought of finding a qualified therapist on your own and then meeting face-to-face may be overwhelming. With online therapy, you can quickly match with a therapist and begin sessions from the comfort of home.

Plus, online therapy is just as effective as in-person treatment, with one study showing that people in online counseling not only had a significant improvement in depression and anxiety scores at 12 weeks but that these results were also sustained for at least six months.

Counselor reviews

"Gillian was very helpful in helping me work through my anxiety and gave me a bunch of great tips and techniques to help manage stress."

"Ari has been great. I like his logical approach to things and he has been able to teach me tangible things I can use every day to manage my anxiety. He gives me the time to speak about what is bothering me and never passes any judgment. Instead, through his wisdom, he can show me different perspectives and approach them with me very gently. I really appreciate this. I would highly recommend him to anyone ready to get the help they need."

Takeaway

You should never feel embarrassed or ashamed about something you can't control. If anxiety contributes to your leg shaking, working with an online therapist can help you get to the root of the problem and/or find alternative coping mechanisms.
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