Walking is a good activity if you are dealing with restless legs. As long as you keep moving, you won’t be bothered.
Hiking is also possible for many people. You don’t have to be extremely sporty for it.
I have always been an athlete myself. I like to exercise for at least an hour of moderate intensity every day. If I can’t exercise, walking is a good alternative for me.
I suspect that walking may even be more beneficial for restless legs than exercise. A few walks spread throughout the day would be best. This prevents you from sitting too long in a row.
What is walking
Walking is a moderate form of exercise. Most people don’t see it as a sport. It has similar benefits.
In the past I gave sports lessons for about 7 years. So I do know a thing or two about the subject.
If you had to define sports, an important element of this is that your heart rate goes up. Regularly increased heart rate through exercise helps to keep the heart and lungs healthy.
Walking also raises your heart rate. However, you remain in the lower values. This is also known as the fat burning zone. With a higher heart rate, you burn more carbohydrates.
Walking is therefore a somewhat quieter activity. You can still enjoy your surroundings and you won’t get out of breath. Walking is almost meditative for many people.
You can think of walking as a kind of dynamic meditation. As a result, it works well against stress. You can breathe easy while walking. You let things go for a while. Body and mind come together.
Restless legs
A few years ago I read an article about a young Frisian woman who went hiking for a few weeks. I think she was in her early twenties and had suffered from RLS at a young age.
Her goal was, among other things, to draw attention to our nasty condition, which is relatively unknown to many people. I think she succeeded in that. In any case, I found it inspiring to read her story.
On the way, she noticed to her surprise that she had hardly any complaints. Sleeping was better now that she walked all day. Beautiful, of course, although she also immediately realized that she couldn’t always do it this way.
Apart from walking during the day, many fellow sufferers will regularly walk around at night if they cannot stay in bed because of their restless legs. Some may even go outside for that.
I suspect most stay indoors though. Depending on the size of your house, your tour will be shorter or longer.
In terms of distance, you get the most benefit from walking in relation to RLS if you go during the day. Aside from the health benefits it will give you anyway, you will benefit from it for your legs in the evening and at night. Walking relieves your complaints.
You will also fall asleep more easily if you have had enough exercise during the day.
