Why does a person move their leg when sitting, according to psychology?

It's common to see people constantly moving one leg while sitting. Although it may seem like a nervous habit or an unimportant gesture, this type of movement has multiple psychological and medical explanations. In fact, it could be a reflection of an emotional state or even a sign of an underlying medical condition.

When someone constantly shakes their leg while sitting, it's usually involuntary. This type of behavior is associated with moments of anxiety or emotional tension, but it can also be linked to other causes, such as acquired habits or neurological disorders.

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In English, this action is called fidgeting, which refers to those nervous or restless movements that often occur without the person noticing. The reasons can be diverse:

1. A way to release tension

One of the most common reasons is that moving your leg acts as an outlet for accumulated stress. Without realizing it, your body looks for ways to channel anxiety through physical movement.

2. Repetitive habit or nervous tic

At other times, this gesture becomes an automatic response to boredom or lack of stimulation. Over time, it becomes a habit that's difficult to break.

3. Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)

Medically, this movement may be related to RLS, a disorder that causes a painful or uncomfortable feeling in the legs, resulting in a constant need to move them, especially while resting.

4. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

In people with ADHD, repetitive movements are often observed as a way to manage excess energy or improve concentration during tasks that require prolonged sitting.

5. Circulation problems

Staying in one position for long periods of time can cause numbness in the extremities. Moving the legs helps keep blood circulating, which may also explain this behavior.

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Although in most cases it doesn't pose a serious risk, if leg movement becomes persistent to the point of interfering with sleep or daily activities or causing discomfort, it's best to see a professional for a full evaluation.

For its part, psychology has observed certain personality patterns in those who tend to move their legs frequently:

• Tendency toward insecurity, especially in pressure-generating contexts.
• Constant thoughts or excessive worry that activate the nervous system even during moments of rest.
• Frustration or emotional tension, which is released through small repetitive movements.
• Persistent childhood manias that persist into adulthood and manifest almost automatically.

With information from Sumédico.

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