What is the Best Distraction for RLS?

The first question I should ask at the beginning of this blog is whether distraction helps with restless legs at all. On peer forums I regularly read the advice to start puzzles as a distraction. Is this really our only option?

I came across this topic through a fellow sufferer. This fellow sufferer said that he once noticed while watching an exciting film that he did not suffer from RLS at all. He wondered if there were more people who had experienced this as well.

He suggested that it might be because the tension of the film made him create more adrenaline. In that case, the adrenaline would act as a painkiller, a kind of natural fighter against discomfort.

In a personal message to me he also suggested that it might be an interesting topic for a blog. I agreed.

Kinds of distraction

There are different types of distraction. Essentially, you can call anything a distraction that keeps you from thinking about your restless legs.

The above-mentioned fellow sufferer indicated that he experiences symptoms of RLS throughout the day. He is especially bothered by it when he takes a break. The latter is very typical for this condition.

However, not everyone has complaints during the day. As long as you keep moving physically, the nuisance is usually limited for most people. Many people’s legs play up in the evenings or during the night’s sleep.

I think it is therefore good to distinguish between the distraction you look for during rest moments during the day and the distraction in preparation for or while sleeping.

Effects of distraction

It is probably recognizable for many people that in the event of physical or mental discomfort, it is good to move your senses every now and then and to seek distraction. Being busy with your problems all the time doesn’t make anyone happy.

Constantly looking for distractions also doesn’t seem like a solution to me. Looking in the middle of this will probably be best.

People are not all the same. With movies, for example, one will prefer an exciting movie. The other may be more into a funny or romantic movie. As a distraction, these different films can each have a beneficial effect in their own right.

One of the benefits of doing things you enjoy is that you can immerse yourself in it for a while. I think that’s an important characteristic of distraction. You forget for a moment what else is going on with you.

Neurotransmitters

During activities, your body produces certain substances. These substances are called neurotransmitters. They have an effect on how you feel.

A few examples of neurotransmitters are endorphins, serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin and adrenaline.

An exciting film, for example, may provide extra adrenaline. A laughter movie might give you a shot of endorphins, and a romantic movie will release oxytocin (the “cuddle hormone”).

This story reminds me of another fellow sufferer who posted a message a while ago that sexual discharge helped him against his complaints. That sounds quite plausible to me. An orgasm ensures that certain neurotransmitters are released. It is well known that they can act as a natural pain reliever.

The body is a special system. It is capable of generating substances itself. You don’t need medication for this. I do believe it is worth investigating if you can influence this physical system favorably.

Tension and relaxation

When you talk about distraction, I think it’s also about finding the right balance between tension and relaxation.

Restless legs are almost always stressful. This stress manifests itself in physical and mental tension. I think that stress greatly exacerbates RLS in many people.

Doing something about that stress is therefore not such a bad idea.

You can think of relaxation exercises or yoga. Some, however, have a lot of regular exercise. Still others do a crossword puzzle or have fun with friends.

There is no one best way to reduce tension and stress. Several roads lead to Rome.

Distraction before bedtime

However, with the best distraction shortly before going to sleep, I would not immediately opt for something that produces more adrenaline. Adrenaline actually wakes you up extra. That is not so conducive if you want to fall asleep.

For the same reason, you will read in the sleeping tips that intensive exercise in the evenings is not recommended. It is better to do this earlier in the day. A typical evening person might be able to shift something during those times. However, I would say the earlier the better.

If you still want to watch an exciting movie in the evening, then take enough time to let the built-up adrenaline lower. When it’s time to go to sleep, you’re not happy when you’re bouncing in your bed because of that adrenaline.

I personally benefit most from as little input as possible in the last few hours before bedtime. Everything that I have to think about, I leave out as much as possible from that moment on. I turn off the computer and the phone. All I do is read a bit and do some yoga or relaxation exercises.

If I don’t stick to this, I quickly notice that I’m way too awake when I want to go to sleep. With a bit of luck I don’t fall asleep until my legs start to play up. At such a moment I am worse off.

1 thought on “What is the Best Distraction for RLS?”

  1. Hoi, heel herkenbaar dat afleiding helpt! Als ik naar een film kijk of maar een voorstelling ga die ik heel interessant vind, dan heb ik geen last.. echter als ik ergens mijn interesse verlies, dan zit ik soms te stuiteren in mijn stoel. Ik merk ook dat de mate van mentale moeheid van invloed hierop is; hoe moeier hoe eerder ik last heb..

    Reply

Leave a Comment