You’re home after a long day. All you want to do is chill out. But for some reason, you feel restless and fidgety. That nagging feeling of agitation or the inability to settle feels frustrating, especially when all you want is peace. Restlessness makes you feel like you always need to move, think, or both.
You’re probably asking yourself - why can’t I sit still and relax? We’ll take a closer look at what causes restlessness. Sometimes medical conditions cause the inability to sit still. Other times, lifestyle factors keep your body wired. Either way, it’s frustrating when you can’t calm down.
By identifying the causes of restlessness, you’ll also learn ways to retrain your nervous system, create healthy wind-down rituals, and support your mind and body. Even better? One of the best ways to relax after a stressful day is with natural aids like Stress Tabs.
Get the support you need to find your inner zen through our thoughtfully created blend of kanna, theobromine, and L-theanine. Place a tab on your tongue and feel relief fast!
Why Can't I Sit Still and Relax?
The question of why can’t I sit still and relax often points to your nervous system. That said, it’s important to remember restless feelings are also a part of life. Maybe you’re going through changes or have extra stress at work.
The most common symptoms of restlessness include:
- Fidgeting
- Racing thoughts
- Trouble sleeping
- Irritability
- Difficulty concentrating
- Muscle tension
- An urge to move
If these restless or agitating feelings are common or interfere with your daily life, it’s worth looking into what causes restlessness. They might be a sign of something else, like a medical or health condition.
These intense feelings can also be a sign that it’s time to change up your daily routine. Learning what causes restlessness doesn’t always come down to a medical condition.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
ADHD is one of the most common causes of restlessness. People with ADHD often experience an inner drive to move, fidget, or keep busy. You may feel the need to pace when you just want to relax.
Anxiety or Depression
Anxiety keeps your body on high alert. You feel a constant state of alertness or worry. Depression can bring agitation. If you have one or both, it can be hard to sit still. If you find yourself wondering why can’t I sit still and relax, these conditions could be influencing your nervous system.
Medication Side Effects
Some medicines may be your answer to what causes restlessness. Some prescriptions list restlessness as a side effect. The most common drugs that can cause jitters include prescriptions for mood disorders, asthma, and thyroid conditions.
Talk to your doctor if you think your medicine is making you restless. There may be alternatives with fewer side effects.
Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)
Do you ever feel like you need to constantly move your legs? Have you ever had crawling, tingling, or burning sensations in your legs? RLS is a neurological disorder that causes uncomfortable sensations in the legs. Symptoms get worse at night. Many people with RLS have trouble sleeping, too.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder often creates restless energy during manic phases. Manic phases can be positive or negative. Either way, sitting down and relaxing can feel unnatural during these times.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
OCD creates patterns and urges. These rituals make it hard to pause or relax because they take priority. OCD also causes intrusive thoughts for some people that can make them feel anxious or stressed. These symptoms don’t exactly create an ideal environment for chilling out.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD often keeps your nervous system on edge. The constant feeling of being on high alert can be what causes restlessness. People with PTSD can feel stuck in the "fight, flight, or freeze" response. These heightened senses create constant tension.
Thyroid Imbalance or Hormonal Shifts
Excess hormones overstimulate the nervous system. Hyperthyroidism, menopause, or other hormonal changes can throw a wrench in your body’s rhythm. Jitteriness and restlessness are common for people when hormones are out of whack.
What Causes Restlessness Besides Medical Conditions?
Not all causes of restlessness come from medical conditions. That feeling of not being able to sit still can stem from your everyday habits. Sometimes you might be doing things throughout the day that cause restlessness without even realizing it.
The Effects of Stress
Stress is one of the most common causes of restlessness. Stress makes it hard to calm down because the body stays in fight-or-flight mode. Everyone gets stressed out. Stress becomes a problem when it impacts your day-to-day life.
Feeling the pressure at work? There are a few things you can do to help you relax after a stressful day at work. For more strategies, check out our guide on how to relax before a presentation.
Emotional Discomfort with Downtime
Emotional discomfort with downtime means feeling uneasy or guilty when you stop being busy. You finish work, sit on the couch, and immediately feel like you should fold laundry or check messages. That “I can’t relax” feeling is emotional discomfort with downtime.
Your Environment Is Too Stimulating or Disruptive
Sometimes the reason you can’t relax is because of your surroundings. Things like a noisy TV, constant text messages, or even bright lights can lead to sensory overload. Together, all of it can keep your brain on high alert. Even when you sit down, your senses stay busy.
You’re Wired From Caffeine, Poor Sleep, or Late-Day Stimuli
Too much caffeine is one of the most common causes of restlessness. Chugging a coffee to get through the day will only make restlessness worse. Coffee and energy drinks give you the jitters.
Poor sleep also makes it hard to sit still and relax. Your body feels both tired and wired at the same time. On top of that, late-night screen time or exposure to blue light keeps your brain alert long after you want to wind down.
If you rely on caffeine to function and still wonder, why can't I sit still and relax, that might be your answer. Consider switching to something more natural. We designed our Energy Tabs to boost your energy and focus without the jitters. Place a tab on your tongue, let it dissolve, and feel the effects in 5-10 minutes.
How Can You Find a Sense of Calm?
Why can't I sit still and relax? Instead of asking yourself, let’s look at ways you can improve your situation. It’s not easy to feel like you can’t calm down. Small changes can help. Here are a few of our favorite ways to move from restless to relaxed.
Find Peace With Our Stress Tabs
If you're looking for something that works and helps you calm down fast, we've got something that can help. Unwind with our Stress Tabs. We packed each tab with ingredients known to help you relax.
- Kanna: creates a calm, warm feeling in your chest
- Theobromine: mood-lifting compound found in chocolate
- L-Theanine: promotes clear-headed relaxation
Re-Train Your Nervous System With Intentional Slowing
When the thought, why can’t I sit still and relax, comes up, it helps to remember that rest takes practice, just like any other skill.
Intentional slowing means teaching your body how to relax again by practicing small actions that tell it to calm down. Once you know what causes restlessness, try out these simple practices to re-train your nervous system.
- Take deep breaths
- Stretch your arms, shoulders, or legs
- Going for a short walk
- Drink warm tea
- Sit quietly and notice your surroundings without rushing
The more you practice these habits, the easier it becomes for your body to shift out of restlessness. Over time, your nervous system learns that it’s safe to pause, and sitting still feels more natural.
Build a Better Wind-Down Ritual
It’s not easy to feel restless during the day and not sleep at night. A wind-down ritual helps you shift from day to night. Turn off your screens and do something calm like reading or taking a warm bath. Keep the routine the same each night so your body learns to expect rest at that time. Add Sleep Tabs to your ritual. These tabs bring together natural sleep aids into one simple formula.
Reframe Rest as Productive
Are you the kind of person who feels guilty when you sit down to relax? It happens to a lot of people. If you see rest as wasted time, try changing things up. Instead of looking at taking a break as being ‘lazy’ or ‘unproductive,’ think of it as an investment in your health. Rest gives you the energy you need for the next day.
Get Professional Help/Diagnosis if Needed
Speak to your doctor if your restlessness is impacting your day-to-day life or if you feel like you need help. The first thing you can do is book an appointment with a professional. Whether the cause is medical or psychological, they can help guide you toward the right treatment.
Parting Thoughts on the Causes of Restlessness
Knowing what causes restlessness is the first step toward change. The most common causes include stress, poor sleep, or medical conditions.
You can support your body with better daily routines. You can also explore natural aids like saffron vs ashwagandha. If you’re curious about calming supplements, read about the best time to take L-theanine and check our L-theanine dosage guide.
Restlessness is physically and mentally exhausting. We created our Stress Tabs to help you calm down quickly. Get all the benefits of kanna, theobromine, and other natural ingredients in a single supplement.
Leave the restlessness at the door and say hello to your inner zen.