Chandigarh, September 13: When anxiety creeps in, many people notice their bodies refuse to sit still. Feet start tapping under the table. Knees bounce as if powered by hidden springs. Some describe a sensation of “ants crawling in the legs,” an uncontrollable urge to move. For others, it becomes pacing around the room, shifting positions constantly, or jiggling a leg during long conversations.
This phenomenon — commonly reported by people living with anxiety — isn’t random. It is rooted in the body’s biology and psychology, a physical echo of what’s happening in the brain.
Anxiety activates the sympathetic nervous system, often called the fight-or-flight response. When the brain perceives a threat, even an imagined or exaggerated one, it floods the bloodstream with adrenaline and other stress hormones. Heart rate rises, breathing quickens, and muscles tighten in preparation for action.
“Your body is literally getting ready to run or fight,” explains Dr. Neha Sharma, a psychiatrist based in Delhi. “That extra tension often builds up in the legs because they are the largest muscle groups and the ones you would use to flee.”
The restless shaking of legs, therefore, can be understood as a release valve for all that pent-up readiness. Moving, even in small repetitive ways, temporarily discharges some of the physiological arousal.
But the story isn’t only physical. Psychologists note that restless leg movements during anxiety can also serve as a coping mechanism. The repetitive motion provides a kind of self-soothing, helping the mind regulate under stress.
“It’s similar to how some people bite their nails or fidget with a pen,” says clinical psychologist Radhika Nair. “The body channels nervous energy into movement, and that gives the brain a little sense of control in an overwhelming moment.”
For some, leg shaking becomes habitual. The brain begins to associate the movement with momentary relief, reinforcing the pattern even when the anxiety is mild. Over time, this creates what psychologists call a “feedback loop” — the more anxious one feels, the more the legs move; the more the legs move, the more the body interprets the situation as high-alert.
Differentiating from Restless Legs Syndrome
It’s important to distinguish anxiety-related restlessness from Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), a neurological disorder where people experience uncomfortable sensations in their legs, usually at night, and feel compelled to move them. While anxiety can mimic some of these symptoms, RLS has different underlying causes, often related to dopamine pathways and iron levels in the brain.
In anxiety, the leg shaking typically happens during periods of stress or anticipation — before an exam, during a difficult meeting, or while waiting for important news. In RLS, the restlessness tends to peak at rest, especially when trying to sleep.
The presence of restless legs during anxiety also reflects how deeply intertwined the mind and body are. Anxiety is not “just in the head.” It ripples through muscles, nerves, hormones, and even posture. A person with bouncing legs is not simply fidgeting; their body is physically manifesting the invisible weight of worry.
Doctors suggest that awareness is the first step to managing it. Breathing exercises, stretching, short walks, or grounding techniques can help redirect the restless energy in healthier ways. In more severe cases, therapy or medication may be needed to calm the underlying anxiety.
Ultimately, those jittery legs tell a story: the body is trying to cope with too much internal pressure. As Dr. Sharma notes, “Restless legs during anxiety are not a sign of weakness or lack of control. They are your nervous system’s way of saying it’s on guard. The key is to listen to that signal and work with it rather than against it.”
So next time someone is shaking a leg under the table, it may not just be impatience. It could be the quiet language of anxiety — the body’s restless attempt to find calm.
