4 Tips for Easing Your Restless Leg Syndrome Symptoms

Last updated 8 months ago

Restless leg syndrome is a neurological disorder that causes unpleasant sensations in the legs and the desire to constantly move them. RLS is one of the most irritating sleep disorders; it can create a state of confusion between your body and your mind, disrupting your sleep cycle. Thankfully, there are several lifestyle changes you can make to diminish your restless leg syndrome symptoms.

Make healthy choices: Limiting alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine intake has been shown to alleviate RLS symptoms. Focus on eliminating one vice at a time for successful cessation; if you find yourself unable to quit one or all of these substances, at least abstain from indulging in the hours prior to bedtime.
Stay awake: If you have restless leg syndrome, avoid daytime napping. The more tired you are at bedtime, the more likely you are to fall asleep symptom-free. Sticking to a regular sleep schedule also helps develop proper sleeping patterns and avoid irritating RLS symptoms.
Create a calming space: Establishing your bedroom as a place purely for sleep will help your body rest and ease RLS symptoms. Remove any distracting elements from your bedroom, including televisions, radios, and other electronics. Paint your bedroom a calming color, and use soothing candles to encourage relaxation.
Use your muscles: Exercising earlier in the day can prevent RLS symptoms from prevailing at night. Always remember to stretch your legs, even if you don’t exercise, to prevent the muscle-twitching sensations of RLS. Massaging the legs is also beneficial, whether done by a professional, a partner, or yourself.

For more treatment tips for combatting restless leg syndrome, contact Comfort Sleep of Monmouth County, New Jersey. We provide complete testing, diagnosis, and treatment of all sleep disorders and are one of the few recognized independent sleep centers to hold ambulatory care licensure with the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services. To schedule an appointment, call (732) 455-3030 or visit our website for more information.