Behavioral strategies to mitigate restless legs syndrome (RLS)
Behavioral strategies to mitigate restless legs syndrome (RLS)
Strategy
Examples
Avoid aggravating factors, when possible
Insufficient sleep
Poor quality sleep
Untreated sleep apnea
Caffeine
Alcohol
Certain medications*
Do mental alerting activities when you are at rest
Working on a computer
Doing crossword puzzles
Do regular exercise
Walking
Biking
Yoga
When symptoms have already started, try:
Soaking your legs in a warm bath
Leg massage
Pneumatic compression devices
* Common medications that may worsen RLS include most antidepressants, antipsychotic drugs, dopamine-blocking antiemetics (eg, metoclopramide), centrally-acting antihistamines.