3 ways fidgeting may actually benefit your health

The Washington Post · Cheyenne Buckingham · 2026-11-06 10:00 UTC

While fidgeting isn’t a replacement for exercise, small muscle movements throughout the day may help in a few small, albeit temporary, ways.

Do you bounce your knee while tackling an arduous task, tap your foot while answering emails or drum your fingers on a notepad during a meeting? These everyday behaviors are often perceived as signs of restlessness. But what if seemingly trivial movements — known as fidgeting — could actually benefit your health?

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3 ways fidgeting may actually benefit your health

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