Chances are, most of us will have found ourselves impatiently pacing around or nervously fidgeting in certain situations, such as waiting for a train or awaiting the start of an exam.
To understand more about these common but often mystifying behaviors, The Focus spoke with Silja Litvin, a psychologist and founder of the mental health platform PsycApps, who revealed that there are several reasons why people engage in physical movement when they may be feeling nervous or impatient.
Release of Energy
The first reason why someone may feel compelled to move in certain circumstances is to release energy.
“Nervousness and impatience can lead to a buildup of excess energy in the body,” explains Silja. “Pacing or fidgeting may serve as a way to release this energy and alleviate feelings of restlessness.”
Stress Reduction
Moving can also help in anxiety or stress-inducing situations according to Silja Litvin.
“Physical movement has been shown to decrease levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, in the body,” the psychologist says. “Pacing or fidgeting may therefore be a subconscious attempt to reduce stress and calm nerves.”
Distraction
If you’re waiting for a train and find yourself repeatedly checking the arrival time, pacing along the platform could help to take your mind off the wait – although fellow passengers may think you’re a little strange for doing so.
“Engaging in repetitive movements can provide a temporary distraction from the source of anxiety or impatience,” Litvin explains. “Focusing on the physical act of pacing or fidgeting may help individuals temporarily shift their attention away from their worries.”
Regulation of Emotions
The fourth and final reason why we find ourselves moving in certain situations is that it can help to regulate emotions.
“Research suggests that physical movement can help regulate emotions by activating certain brain regions associated with mood regulation,” the psychologist reveals. “Pacing or fidgeting may therefore be a natural coping mechanism for managing intense emotions such as nervousness or impatience.”
To sum up, the psychologist, who is an honorary Research Associate at UCL in London and a Ph.D. candidate says: “While pacing or fidgeting may seem like simple behaviors, they serve important psychological functions in helping individuals cope with and manage feelings of nervousness or impatience.”
