The Neurology Of Fidgeting and an Overactive Nervous System

Have you always thought fidgeting was wasting time or something other people do that drives you crazy? Think again.

Those restless legs, tapping fingers, or spinning pens might just be your brain’s secret weapon—a low-key productivity hack hiding in plain sight. Let’s dive into the good and the bad behind the science of fidgeting.

What Exactly Is Fidgeting?

Fidgeting is more than random, twitchy behavior. Scientists define it as repetitive, non-goal-directed movements. Think foot-tapping, hair-twirling, or doodling in the margins of your notebook. It’s not the same as medical conditions like Parkinson’s or stimming behaviors associated with autism. Fidgeting, as it turns out, is universal—and purposeful.

In fact, studies show fidgeting falls in a rhythm: movements happen in the 1 to 20 Hz range. That means your fidgety tapping might not just be a nervous tick—it’s your brain setting a beat, tuning itself to stay alert and engaged.

Is Fidgeting Good or Bad?

Here’s the thing: fidgeting isn’t inherently bad or good. It’s context-dependent. If your bouncing knee is distracting your colleagues during a meeting, maybe reign it in. But if you’re trying to focus on a demanding task, that same bouncing knee could be the secret sauce to keeping your brain sharp.

Researchers like Julie Schweitzer at UC Davis have found that fidgeting during challenging tasks—especially for those with ADHD—can serve as a self-regulation tool, helping maintain attention and alertness.

Fidgeting isn’t just for the ADHD crowd, though. Ever caught doodling during a long call or twiddling a pencil while solving a tough problem? Congratulations, you’re using fidgeting as a cognitive enhancer, helping your brain stay in the game.

What Does Fidgeting Do to the Brain?

Neuroscientist Anne Churchland’s research on fidgeting mice revealed something fascinating: their seemingly random movements activated brain cells unrelated to the muscles being used. In humans, fidgeting has been linked to increased blood flow in the prefrontal cortex—the area responsible for attention and decision-making—especially during mentally challenging tasks.

This doesn’t mean fidgeting is some miracle cure for brain fog, but it does suggest that your foot-tapping habit could be your brain’s way of staying alert and focused. It’s like the neural equivalent of warming up the engine before a race.

Fidgeting and an Overactive Nervous System

Here’s something you might not know: fidgeting, like nervously bouncing your legs or constantly shifting in your seat, could be a sign of an overactive nervous system. Often, we’re not even aware we’re doing it. Your nervous system might be stuck in a loop of heightened activity, and that restless energy is its way of managing the overload. 

Many clients who have gone through our applied neurology coaching—and were frequent fidgeters—found that their fidgeting significantly calmed down over time. They became more aware of these habits and realized that the behavior was often a sign of being stuck in a fight-or-flight state.

As they developed greater self-awareness of their fidgeting, they were able to assess areas of their lives where stress had gone unnoticed and get back into their neuro drills to regain control and decrease their stress. 

Stress and the Nervous System

Stress plays a significant role in overloading the nervous system. When your body is in a state of heightened arousal—thanks to prolonged stress or anxiety—it can lead to a feedback loop where the brain is constantly signaling the need for movement as a form of self-regulation. Fidgeting can be an unconscious response to this, a way of burning off nervous energy to help calm the system down.

Reducing stress through targeted techniques can help quiet this overactive loop. Applied neurology, like the strategies offered at Next Level Neuro, provides tools to down-regulate the nervous system. By teaching individuals how to intentionally engage the parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) system, these techniques help calm the body and reduce the unconscious need for fidgeting as a coping mechanism.

Sensory Inputs and Feedback Loops

The brain is constantly processing sensory inputs from the environment. For those with heightened sensitivity, these inputs can become overwhelming, triggering a cycle of over-responsiveness and physical restlessness. This is where fidgeting often kicks in: as a self-soothing response to manage sensory overload.

Through applied neurology, individuals can learn how to better regulate their sensory systems. Techniques such as grounding exercises, visual drills, or proprioceptive activities can help recalibrate these inputs, allowing the brain to process information more effectively and reduce the reliance on fidgeting for relief.

Dopamine Irregularities

Dopamine, the neurotransmitter involved in reward and movement, plays a crucial role in fidgeting. Irregular dopamine signaling can cause the brain’s motor control systems to act up, leading to repetitive movements like fidgeting. While dopamine helps with focus and motivation, too much or too little can create imbalances that manifest as nervous energy.

Next Level Neuro’s applied neurology techniques aim to address these imbalances by focusing on neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to adapt and reorganize. Through targeted applied neurology drills and exercises, individuals can stimulate the brain’s dopamine pathways in healthier ways, helping to restore balance and reduce involuntary movements.

Brain Areas Involved in Fidgeting

Fidgeting stems from complex interactions between the brain’s motor control centers, including the basal ganglia, prefrontal cortex, and cerebellum. When these areas are overactive or dysregulated, they can trigger the repetitive movements associated with fidgeting.

Applied neurology leverages these insights to create exercises that specifically target these brain regions. For example, balancing drills or controlled breathing exercises can help engage the cerebellum and prefrontal cortex, promoting better motor regulation and reducing the need for unconscious movements.

The Next Level Neuro Approach

Recognizing these signs is the first step toward understanding how your body is communicating with you. Programs like the Applied Neurology Mentorship with Next Level Neuro can help you identify these patterns and learn strategies to calm your nervous system. Our mentorships focus on practical, science-backed tools to bring your nervous system back to balance, reducing the need for those unconscious, fidgety movements.

So, is fidgeting good or bad? The answer is: that it depends.

If it’s helping you stay focused and engaged during cognitively demanding tasks, fidget away! But if your tapping fingers are driving everyone in the room nuts, maybe find a less intrusive outlet.

 Fidgeting isn’t just a quirky habit; it’s a reflection of your brain’s attempt to optimize its performance. From boosting attention to burning calories, signaling an overactive nervous system, or managing sensory overload, those small movements pack a surprising punch.

 To get more on the Next Level Neuro Mentorship click here.