I used to toss and turn every night trying to find a position that made my legs feel less jumpy — until I accidentally discovered something surprisingly simple: putting a pillow under my knees. It sounds too basic to matter, but for me, it changed everything.
👣 Why This Works for Restless Legs
When you place a soft pillow under your knees while lying on your back, it slightly elevates your legs and shifts the angle of your hips and lower back. This:
Relieves pressure on your lower spine
Encourages better circulation
Reduces leg tension and nerve compression
For some people with RLS, this small shift helps calm that inner buzzing feeling — or at least makes it more bearable.
💤 My Simple Setup
Here’s exactly how I do it:
I use a soft but slightly firm standard pillow — not too high.
I place it horizontally under both knees while lying on my back.
If I’m on my side, I tuck it between my knees instead.
Some nights, I double up and use one under my knees and one under my feet. Other nights, just a single one does the trick.
✨ Why It Helps Me Mentally Too
It’s not just physical relief — it’s the ritual of doing something intentional before bed.
It tells my body: we’re preparing to rest.
It slows me down.
It gives me one small thing to control — which matters on the nights when RLS feels completely out of control.
Sometimes, it’s not about curing the feeling. It’s about making the moment feel a little safer.
💡 Try It Tonight
You don’t need anything fancy. Just grab a pillow, adjust, and notice.
It might not erase your symptoms, but it might soften the edge — and that’s a win in my book.
Let me know if it helps you too.
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