Lifestyle and home remedies

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Making simple lifestyle changes can help alleviate symptoms of RLS/WED.

• Try baths and massages. Soaking in a warm bath and massaging your legs can relax your muscles.

• Apply warm or cool packs. Use of heat or cold, or alternating use of the two, may lessen your limb sensations.

• Try relaxation techniques, such as meditation or yoga. Stress can aggravate RLS/WED. Learn to relax, especially before bedtime.

• Establish good sleep hygiene. Fatigue tends to worsen symptoms of RLS/WED, so it's important that you practice good sleep hygiene. Ideally, have a cool, quiet, comfortable sleeping environment; go to bed and rise at the same time daily; and get adequate sleep. Some people with RLS/WED find that going to bed later and rising later in the day helps in getting enough sleep.

• Exercise. Getting moderate, regular exercise may relieve symptoms of RLS/WED, but overdoing it or working out too late in the day may intensify symptoms.

• Avoid caffeine. Sometimes cutting back on caffeine may help restless legs. Try to avoid caffeine-containing products, including chocolate and caffeinated beverages, such as coffee, tea and soft drinks, for a few weeks to see if this helps.
  
• Source: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/restless-legs-syndrome/basics/lifestyle-home-remedies/con-20031101