If you’ve ever found yourself struggling to fall asleep and unable to resist moving your legs, you may have a condition called restless leg syndrome. Here’s what you need to know about this condition, how it affects your sleep, and what you can do about it to sleep better.

What is restless leg syndrome?

Also called Willis-Ekbom disease, Restless Leg Syndrome causes an irresistible urge to move your legs. It can be especially prevalent when you sit for long periods of time.

While moving your limbs makes the unpleasant sensation go away, it’s usually temporary. People who struggle with this syndrome will usually get the urge to move their legs at night.

Can restless legs also occur in arms, hips, shoulders, and back?

Restless leg syndrome happens often in the legs, but the term is a misnomer! It can happen in other parts of your body, too.

However, feeling this syndrome in other limbs is usually a sign that your condition is worsening. Don’t hesitate to see a doctor if you believe your condition is getting worse.

How does restless leg syndrome affect sleep?

If you have restless leg syndrome, it may affect your sleep. The leg movements can keep you awake and cause you to get fewer hours of sleep than you need.

Some people with restless leg syndrome may not lose hours of sleep, but they can still suffer from low-quality sleep. The tossing and turning caused by the syndrome can make it difficult for the body to fully rest. It can also disturb your sleep cycle. Even if you don’t realize it, you may be waking up or only sleeping lightly instead of getting the REM sleep and deep sleep you need.

So what can you do about restless leg syndrome? In addition to consulting with a medical professional, consider taking steps to manage chronic stress and anxiety. Chronic stress can cause your body to increase its level of glutamate, which is a neurotransmitter that causes excitation.

Because of this, chronic anxiety and stress can lead to uncontrolled excitatory reactions like restless leg syndrome.

So, managing your anxiety may not be a cure for restless leg syndrome, but it may help reduce its symptoms. Taking the time to do breathing exercises or listen to a guided meditation before bed may help you relax and sleep better.

Struggle to wind your body and mind down before bed? Try the BetterSleep app to help you get relaxed before bed so you can finally get a restful night of sleep.