Restlessness & Restless Legs Spiritual Meaning

What is the spiritual meaning of restlessness? Also, what is the spiritual meaning of restless leg syndrome?

Introduction

Restless behavior can take different forms, including pacing, fidgeting, sundowning, and agitation.

Symptoms

Common symptoms include:

• insomnia;
• hyperactivity;
• distractibility;
• tremors;
• impulsivity;
• anxiety;
• problems with focusing or managing time;
• tapping of feet or hands;
• agitation;
• palpitations;
• unpleasant sensations in the arms or legs when lying down.

Causes

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Partial obstruction of the upper airway is the most common form of sleep apnea.

If you’re feeling restless at night, OSA may be to blame.

Also, untreated sleep apnea can limit the flow of oxygen to your organs and may even cause irregular heart palpitations.

Note – it is more likely to have obstructive sleep apnea if you’re overweight or obese.

Medications

Certain medications have a potent stimulant effect and may cause restlessness.

Examples include:

• levothyroxine (used to treat thyroid hormone deficiency);
• older antihistamines, like diphenhydramine (Benadryl);
• tramadol (an opioid pain medication that is used to help relieve moderate to moderately severe pain; sold under the brand name Ultram among others);
• lithium (used for mental illnesses, including depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia);
• antinausea drugs, like prochlorperazine (Compro) or metoclopramide (Reglan);
• tricyclic antidepressants, like amoxapine (Asendin) or amitriptyline (Elavil);
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), like – sertraline (Zoloft), fluoxetine (Prozac), or escitalopram (Lexapro);
• antipsychotic drugs, like olanzapine (Zyprexa) or haloperidol (Haldol).

Note – stopping the use of certain sedative medications, like – benzodiazepines, may cause restlessness.

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Hyperactivity

Hyperactivity is a state of being abnormally or unusually active.

Most of us can become hyperactive due to some medical conditions or due to the usage of stimulants too.

Restless Leg Syndrome

It is one of the conditions you could suffer from if you are constantly restless. 

Restless legs syndrome is a condition of the nervous system that causes an irresistible urge to move the legs.

RLS may affect as many as one in 10 people in the United States. Also, the condition occurs in both females and males, but females are more likely to have it than males.  

Usually, in RLS, individuals move their legs because they feel a tingling in the legs, which reduces when moved.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

It is an anxiety disorder characterized by excessive and often irrational worry, which is an apprehensive expectation about activities or events.

Anxiety disorders affect over 40 million adults in the US. In addition, an estimated 32 percent of United States adults experience any anxiety disorder at some time during their lives.

Moreover, anxiety disorders cost the United States economy around $43 billion a year.

Individuals who suffer from generalized anxiety disorder experience signs and symptoms, which include being easily fatigued, restlessness, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and difficulty sleeping.

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Supplements

Excessive caffeine (found in coffee, chocolate, energy drinks, some medicines, sodas, weight loss supplements, and some teas) intake is one of the most common causes of restlessness.

Other causes of restlessness include:

• uremia (kidney failure causing the build-up of toxins within the body);
• Sjögren’s syndrome;
• rheumatoid arthritis;
• damage to the spinal nerves;
• Lyme disease (caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi);
• amyloidosis (a group of diseases in which abnormal protein builds up in tissue);
• severe kidney disease (especially if dialysis is required);
• vitamin B-12 deficiency;
• magnesium deficiency.

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Spiritual Meaning of Restlessness

Restlessness is an indication of excessive tension. It can be caused by the existence of excessive ambition and/or an acute desire for perfection. Another common cause of restlessness is a permanent concern.

The mistake is that you pay too much attention to the rational part of your mind for too long.

Find your balance by becoming aware of what is happening inside you and by following your intuition.

Let things run smoothly without judging them. This will weaken the tension and create space for peace, love, and joy.

Restless Leg Syndrome – Spiritual Meaning

Restless Leg Syndrome may be reflective of a deeper spiritual disconnection or internal conflict. This could mean that the physical discomfort and restlessness are manifestations of unresolved emotional or spiritual issues.

In some spiritual circles, RLS is associated with Kundalini awakening, a concept in yogic philosophy. Kundalini refers to a form of divine energy believed to be located at the base of the spine. When awakened, this energy is said to rise along the spine, leading to spiritual enlightenment. The ‘tremor’ or ‘zapping’ sensations sometimes associated with RLS are thought to be a result of these energy fluctuations.

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Affirmations

 ”I acknowledge that the only constant in life is change and I am prepared for it.”

”I know what I value and place my energy there instead of on restlessness.

”I love myself deeply and unconditionally.”

”I choose to fill my mind with positive, nurturing, and healing thoughts.”

”Every breath I inhale calms me, and every breath I exhale takes away tension.”

”All is well in my world, and I am safe.”

”At this moment, I choose to release the past and look forward to the good that awaits me.”

”I’m in charge of my breathing, and I can slow it down.”

Images credit – Shutterstock & Getty Images

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Resources

https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Restless
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/neurology_neurosurgery/centers_clinics/restless