Fidgeting at your desk? Your body may be trying to tell you something
toggle caption Kiersten Essenpreis for NPR
Ever wonder why you bounce your leg, drum your fingers or click and unclick your pen until your colleagues beg you to stop?
Don't fight the fidget! It may be your body's way of telling you that "for whatever reason, you need movement right now," says Katy Bowman, a biomechanist and the author of the books Rethink Your Position and Movement Matters. So get up, switch positions, stretch or do some physical activity.
Scientific support shows it's good for our health. Fidgeting increases blood flow to our limbs, helps regulate blood sugar and reduces the risk of mortality from prolonged sitting. It can relieve stress and anxiety and improve attention, especially for some people with ADHD or other neurodivergent identities.
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