consciously or subconsciously, we all have certain repetitive movements that soothe us and keep us relaxed. If you rub your feet together before you fall asleep, you are not alone. It is called “cricketing” and it is more common than you think.
The term “cricketing” stems from the characteristic rubbing of feet done by crickets to produce a chirping sound. While there are several reasons for rubbing your feet together to fall asleep, the most common reason is to self-soothe, reduce anxiety and promote relaxation.
Whether you rub your feet together to self-soothe or for other reasons, we have summarized the common reason for cricketing in the section below.
Cricketing helps to Stimulate Acupressure Points in the feet
There are several nerve endings and acupressure points in the sole of the feet and stimulating these points can produce a relaxing effect that helps calm the central nervous system. This is also why having your feet massaged has that relaxing effect that we love so much.
An acupuncture expert explained that rubbing your feet before going to sleep helps relieve tension and also improves blood circulation thus putting you in good condition before bed.
Furthermore, rubbing your feet has similar effects to hand warming as they both activate your neurological system in the same way.
Hand warming (which can be achieved by placing your hands over a heat source, rubbing your palms together, or blowing into them) has a biofeedback which according to research helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system which results in cardiovascular relaxation and other stress hormone benefits.
In the same way, rubbing your feet together builds warmth and promotes parasympathetic dominance for relaxation.
Rubbing The Feet Together Can Create A Feeling Of Companionship
Rubbing the feet together can create an effect of close contact on the skin and this can subconsciously help us relax. In this way, cricketing stimulates the release of body endorphins, the body's natural "feel-good" hormones.
Endorphins are neurotransmitters that help to alleviate pain, create pleasurable sensations, and improve your sense of well-being. By engaging in self-soothing behaviors like rubbing your feet together, endorphin response can be activated, thereby reducing anxiety and improving overall mood.
Rubbing Your Feet Together May Be A Pointer To A Medical Condition
If you feel a tingling or burning sensation in your feet before you sleep and the only way to alleviate this symptom is by rubbing your feet together, this could be a pointer to a medical condition called “restless legs syndrome.”
Restless legs syndrome is a neurological sensory disorder characterized by uncontrollable agitation in moving the lower limbs, which can affect both the legs and, in less common cases, the arms and other members of the body. In general, this disorder occurs at rest, especially at night, and causes tingling, chills, and burning in the affected limbs, in addition to the need to move their legs to alleviate the symptoms.
This syndrome may not allow you to get a proper night's rest and we advise that you should consult your doctor to find the cause.
Another medical condition that causes rubbing of feet before falling asleep is ‘Periodic Limb Movement Disorder.’
Periodic Limb Movement Disorder is an uncommon sleep disorder in which repetitive limb movements often occur as an individual falls asleep and can lead to difficulty falling asleep. Usually, these movements happen in the lower limbs and occur early in sleep.
Symptoms include involuntary body movements that may occur every five to 90 seconds or more, may be repetitive, or vary in severity. This condition can also lead to decreased sleep quality, leading to daytime fatigue and mood changes.
If you experience any of these symptoms while sleeping, it is advisable you consult your doctor for expert care.
It may be Habitual
Of course, it is expected that we look for reasons to rub our feet together to fall asleep. However, this might just be our normal way of sleeping, and not a medical condition or physiological phenomenon.
There's a good chance that if you've always fallen asleep this way, you won't be able to fall asleep any other way just like a child who can't sleep without their favorite cuddle toy.
If you got used to doing this while growing up or picked it up at some point, you don't have anything to worry about.
Who is most likely to rub their feet together before sleeping?
While there are normal people who tend to rub their feet together before they sleep, there are people who are more likely to perform this act. Examples of people who are more likely to rub their feet together before they sleep include people with:
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Dyslexia
- Autism
- Down syndrome
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
The group of people listed above tends to perform this act because they are prone to some sensory processing problems that are relieved by cricketing.
Is Rubbing Your Feet Together Harmful?
Rubbing your feet together before sleeping is not a harmful practice at all. Most people find it to be soothing, comforting and self-regulatory. Also, it is not always a sign that you have a medical disorder or any form of problem.
However, if you notice that it’s a new act you’ve picked up, you can try to assess the situation. Assessing the situation involves noting the time of the day you tend to do it and the circumstances surrounding the onset of the behavior. This is because it can be due to stress and anxiety.
Therefore, so far it is not a response to pain or some uncontrollable urge, you shouldn’t be worried. If it is due to the aforementioned factors, you might want to see a physician. If you notice it’s due to stress, you might need to stay in your bed longer than usual (Just get enough rest!).
Can Rubbing My Feet Together Relieve Anxiety?
As earlier mentioned, rubbing your feet together has been found to be a comforting and soothing behavior. Also, it has also been found to be adopted by people with anxiety.
Rubbing your feet together helps to reduce anxiety by distracting you from anxiety-inducing thoughts. This is because rubbing your legs together can help stimulate different nerve endings. Also, it has been found to stimulate the release of endorphins (the feel-good hormone).
Will Rubbing My Feet Make Me Sleep Better
Because of the soothing feeling gained from this habit, rubbing your feet can make you sleep faster and better. This is very beneficial for people who take too much time before falling asleep.
Also, rubbing your feet together is a form of massage and can help relax your body. Therefore, you can adopt this method if you have trouble sleeping. It is not 100% guaranteed to work all the time but it is worth a try.
If you have trouble sleeping, you might want to try other sleep-enhancing practices or see a physician. Let’s go on to discuss other sleep-enhancing methods.
Other Sleep Enhancing Methods Or Behavior
Some people rub their legs together before they sleep to help relax and fall asleep quicker. However, this method doesn’t work for everybody. But, there are other methods to relax your body and fall asleep quicker which include:
- Acupressure Massage:
Acupressure is a form of massage that is used to relieve muscle tension. It involves using your fingers to press on specific points on your body to allow relaxation. It is advisable to massage these points repeatedly when you lie in bed to induce sleep faster and get better sleep quality.
Acupressure points include:
- A main (The groove behind your earlobe)
- The heart meridian (The hollow on the outermost part of the wrist crease)
- Ren Mai (the center of the chest)
- Between your eyebrows (Yin Tang)
- Meditation and Mindfulness:
Practicing meditation and mindfulness before going to bed has been proven to help you sleep better. It is a way of getting rid of anxiety, worry and relieving stress after a long day. It also has a lot of other benefits when practiced regularly.
This practice will help you sleep faster and it also helps improve your quality of sleep in the long run.
- Breathing Exercises:
This is a well-known relaxation technique which can help you sleep faster and naturally. You can practice this by repeating a breathing pattern or by taking deep breaths at regular intervals. It also helps to relieve stress and anxiety.
One common form is the 4-7-8 method. This means you breathe in for 4 seconds, hold your breath for 7 seconds, and breathe out for 8 seconds.
- Taking a Hot Bath:
Taking a hot bath is also an effective method to enhance your sleep. It is also a relaxing and soothing exercise. Therefore, it helps you sleep faster and better.
- Use a Comfortable Bed:
An old and uncomfortable bed can make it very difficult for you to sleep at night even after trying various methods. Therefore, it is advisable to always invest in a comfortable bed. If your bed is old and uncomfortable, you can shop for a new bed at Egohome.
- Aromatherapy:
This involves the use of nice and soothing scents to induce sleep and relaxation. Lavender oil is a popular example of a substance used in aromatherapy to induce sleep.
- Listening to Calm Music Before Bed:
Listening to calm music is also a well-known method that can help you fall asleep quickly. This practice has existed for a long time even before the advent of digital audio players. You can set a sleep timer of 30 minutes on your audio player and then go on to relax on your bed.
- Reading a Book Before Bed:
Reading a book can also be a relaxing exercise before going to bed. Books recommended to read before bed should include those with funny or interesting stories, either fiction or nonfiction. Doing this exercise can help to distract you from those things that can cause anxiety or stress.
Other sleep-enhancing methods include:
- Having a consistent sleeping time
- Exercising during the day
- Avoid caffeine
Takeaway
If you are not in the habit of rubbing your feet to fall asleep, a foot massage before bedtime can have a similar effect and can help you relax. However, why pay for a foot massage when you can do it yourself?
Beyond this, sleeping on a quality mattress can greatly affect your sleep quality. Shop our catalog of quality mattresses to enjoy comfort and luxury.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)?
Is It Beneficial To Massage Your Feet Before Bed?
Yes. Practicing a foot massage before sleeping has many health benefits. Massaging your feet before going to sleep helps release tension in your feet after a long day out and relieves stress. It has also been shown to improve blood circulation, reduce blood pressure, and help with certain pathologies as explained by plantar reflexology.
