How to Stop Legs from Shaking

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Dealing with shaking legs can be annoying and frustrating. Fortunately, you may be able to get your legs to stop shaking if you address the cause. If your legs shake due to low blood sugar, anxiety, or nervousness, lifestyle changes that calm you down can help. Similarly, if restless leg syndrome (RLS) may be to blame, controlling your blood sugar, relaxing your muscles and treating your symptoms may stop the shaking. Finally, leg shaking during exercise can be calmed by staying hydrated and getting enough rest. However, if you don't know the cause of your leg shaking, it's best to consult your doctor.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Calming Anxiety with Lifestyle Changes

PDF download Download Article
  1. Slowly inhale through your nose for a count of 5, feeling your stomach expand. Then, exhale slowly to a count of 5, letting your stomach deflate. Repeat for 5 breaths or until you start to feel relaxed. [1]
    • If you can, close your eyes while you breathe deeply.
    • You can do this breathing exercise every time you feel stressed, overwhelmed, or fidgety.

    Tip: Breathing deeply can help you feel calm because it creates the same sensation in your body as you get when you're naturally relaxed.

  2. You can keep your knees together or spread them apart, depending on what’s comfortable to you. Sitting this way can help you prevent your leg from shaking. Additionally, it sends the message to your body that you are relaxed. [2]
    • If one leg tends to shake more than the other, make it the bottom leg by crossing the non-shaking leg over it at the ankle.
    Advertisement
  3. This means avoiding coffee, some teas, soda, and chocolate. Unfortunately, caffeine can make your leg shaking worse because it can trigger restlessness, anxiety, and jitters. It’s best to just skip it if you have trouble with shaking legs. [3]
    • You can still have your favorite beverages! Just look for decaffeinated options of your favorite coffee, tea, or soda.
  4. Low blood sugar can make you cranky, which is why many people get upset when they’re hungry. [4] If you’re prone to feeling anxious or nervous, low blood sugar may make it harder to deal with these emotions, and cause you to experience more symptoms, such as shaking legs.
    • For example, you might eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with the option of 2 snacks if you feel hungry.
    • If you aren't feeling hungry, you might eat a protein bar or smoothie for breakfast, a broth-based soup for lunch, and a grilled cheese sandwich for dinner. For snacks, grab a handful or small pack of nuts or string cheese.
    • If you know you’re about to do something that makes you anxious, such as a client meeting, eat beforehand.
  5. Manage your stress levels to help you feel less anxious. Everyone experiences stress in their lives, but too much stress can leave you feeling anxious and nervous all of the time. Fortunately, stress management techniques can help you calm down and relax. Here are some great ways to reduce your stress: [5]
    • Meditate for 5-10 minutes a day.
    • Go for a walk in nature.
    • Do something creative, like draw or sing.
    • Engage in your hobbies.
    • Discuss your feelings with a friend.
    • Write in your journal.
    • Play with your pet.
    • Color in an adult coloring book.
  6. It’s normal to need extra help with coping with your anxiety, so don’t hesitate to work with a mental health professional. They can help you talk through your issues and learn new ways to cope with the anxiety you feel. [6] Over time, this can help you relieve the nervousness that’s causing your shaking legs.
    • Ask your doctor for a referral to a mental health professional or search for one online.
    • Your insurance may cover your sessions with a counselor, but it's best to find out if you have coverage before you go. Check your coverage by going online or reading your benefits materials. As another option, you can check with the counselor directly to see if they take your insurance, as well as what will be covered.
    7. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Dealing with Restless Leg Syndrome

PDF download Download Article
  1. Although soaking is your best option, a shower can also help. Warm water can soothe and relax your muscles, making them less likely to shake. [7] Spend at least 20 minutes in the water to give yourself time to feel the effects.
    • If you bathe right before bed, you may be able to go to sleep more easily.
    • For added relaxation, add a calming scent like lavender or eucalyptus to the water. You can use essential oils or scented bath salts.
  2. Give yourself a leg massage to relax your muscles. Apply lotion or a few drops of massage oil onto your skin. Then, use your palms to apply even pressure to your muscles, starting at your foot and working your way up to your knee and then to your thigh. Rub your legs, making slow, circular movements over your skin. [8]
    • Although the lotion or massage oil is optional, it will make it much easier to massage yourself without irritating your skin.
    • If you have a partner, they may be willing to massage your legs for you.
  3. Choose an activity that’s relaxing to you, then do it for at least 30 minutes before bed. This will help you calm your mind and get ready for sleep, which may help you avoid leg twitches. If you consistently do your relaxing activity before bed, your body will start to anticipate going to sleep, making it easier to do so. [9]
    • For instance, you might read, doodle, listen to podcasts, color, do a crossword puzzle, listen to calming music, or crochet.
    • Make sure the activity you choose is calming to you. For example, some people might get too into a book to quit reading. If that’s the case for you, it may be best to pick a different activity.
  4. Sometimes taking a short walk can get your leg to stop shaking, so get out of bed if you feel it happen. Walk to your kitchen or bathroom, then get back into the bed. In many cases, moving the muscles will be enough to get them to stop shaking. [10]
    • Although this might not always work, it may help you avoid lying in bed with your leg continuously shaking.
  5. Being more active helps work the muscles that shake. Additionally, it can help you be more relaxed. If you’re consistent in your workouts, you’ll likely experience less leg shaking. [11]
    • For example, you might walk, jog, swim, take a gym class, follow along with a DVD or streaming workout, or use a cardio machine. Choose a workout that’s fun for you so it’s easier for you to stick to it.

    Warning: Exercising right before bed may make it harder to fall asleep, so make sure you’re exercising at least 1 hour before bed. [12]

  6. Make sure you’re eating a balanced diet that includes foods like dark leafy greens, fortified cereals, and beans. These foods are high in minerals and vitamins that can help alleviate your RLS symptoms. [13]
    • If don’t get your daily doses of iron, folate, or magnesium through your diet, talk to your doctor to see if you can start taking over-the-counter supplements. [14]
  7. Unfortunately, sitting for long periods of time can trigger RLS. However, sometimes you can't avoid sitting for a long time, such as when you’re at work or on a plane. To help you avoid shaking, get up and walk around for a couple of minutes every hour. This will help you release the tension in your muscles. [15]
    • Even walking in place can help you feel better.
  8. If your RLS is really bothering you, medications can help you find relief. Your doctor will help you figure out the best treatment for you. For example, your doctor may prescribe one of the following: [16]
    • Medicines that boost dopamine, like ropinirole, rotigotine, and pramipexole
    • Medications that alter your calcium channels, such as gabapentin enacarbil, and pregabalin
    • Opioids that can help with pain, like codeine, oxycodone, methadone, or hydrocodone
    • Muscle relaxers or sleep medications, such as clonazepam
    9. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Relieving Shaking Legs During Exercise

PDF download Download Article
  1. When your body gets dehydrated, you may have an electrolyte imbalance, which can cause muscle twitching. If you're dehydrated during your workout, leg shaking is a common effect. Fortunately, it’s easy to stop the shaking by drinking a sports drink. [17]
    • It’s best to increase your fluids before a workout, especially if you plan to push yourself. Drink 17 to 20 fl oz (0.47 to 0.59 L) of fluids in the 2-3 hours before your workout so you’re properly hydrated. [18]
    • Make sure you're drinking more water throughout the day, as well.
  2. Your muscles may shake if you’re working them too hard or doing an exercise you’ve never tried before. You don’t have to stop your workout, but it’s best to slow down the intensity so you can focus on your form. That way, you can progress in your workout but will avoid accidental injury. [19]
    • If you can, have someone spot you when you're doing a new exercise to ensure your form is correct. As another option, film yourself doing the exercise so you can check your form.

    Warning: If your muscles are shaking during a workout, it’s likely that you will not be using proper form for whatever exercise you’re doing. This means you can easily injure yourself. By slowing down, you can make sure your form is correct.

  3. While you likely want to boost your fitness level fast, overworking your body can be harmful in the long run. One consequence of working out too much is sore muscles, along with your arms and legs feeling heavy. The easy fix for this is giving yourself at least 1 day of rest each week, depending on the intensity of your workouts. [20]
    • As another option, alternate the days you work specific muscle groups so that they don't get overworked. For example, you might work your legs on Monday and Wednesday, your arms on Tuesday and Thursday, and your abs on Friday and Sunday.
  4. Your body repairs itself during sleep, which includes repairing and rebuilding your muscles. [21] If you aren’t sleeping enough, your muscles might not get enough time to fully recover from your prior day’s workout. This can result in shaking legs. However, sleeping more can help you stop your legs from shaking during future workouts.
    • Follow a sleep routine to help you go to sleep easier. This can include getting ready for bed, doing a relaxing activity right before bed, and turning off screens.
    • Turn down your thermostat to make your bedroom cool, which will help you go to sleep more easily. Similarly, choose comfortable bedding.
    5. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • Although shaking your legs might be embarrassing sometimes, it helps you burn more calories, so it does have its benefits.
        Thanks
        Helpful 7 Not Helpful 1
      • Some medications and some chronic disorders, such as hypertension, can also cause leg tremors.
        Thanks
        Helpful 3 Not Helpful 1
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Stop Hand Tremors: Causes & Treatment Options
      How to
      Stop Shaking
      How to
      Cure Bell's Palsy Facial Nerve Disorders
      How to
      Test for Parkinson's Disease
      How to
      Stop Having Tics
      How to
      Get Rid of a Long‐Term Nose or Mouth Twitch
      How to
      Stop Twitching in Your Sleep
      How to
      Tell the Difference Between Tourette's Syndrome and Transient Tic Disorder
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/self-help/guides-tools-and-activities/breathing-exercises-for-stress/
      2. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201206/the-ultimate-guide-body-language
      3. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/caffeine.html
      4. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/about/low-blood-sugar-hypoglycemia.html
      5. ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/stress-management.htm
      6. ↑ https://www.apa.org/topics/anxiety/disorders
      7. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/a_to_z/restless-legs-syndrome-a-to-z
      8. ↑ https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/restless-legs-syndrome
      9. ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/sleep/restless-leg-syndrome-rls.htm
      1. ↑ https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Restless-Legs-Syndrome-Fact-Sheet
      2. ↑ https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/restless-legs-syndrome
      3. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/does-exercising-at-night-affect-sleep
      4. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-to-eat-if-you-have-restless-legs-syndrome
      5. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17604457
      6. ↑ https://myhealth.alberta.ca/health/AfterCareInformation/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=uh4694&
      7. ↑ https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/restless-legs-syndrome
      8. ↑ https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/blog/muscle-twitching
      9. ↑ https://familydoctor.org/athletes-the-importance-of-good-hydration/
      10. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-get-back-to-exercising-after-a-long-break
      11. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000807.htm
      12. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/heart-disease/about/sleep-and-heart-health.html

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 105,636 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement