Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is more than just a quirky nighttime annoyance—it’s a neurological condition that affects millions of people, disrupting sleep, focus, and overall quality of life. If you’ve ever felt that irresistible urge to move your legs, often paired with a crawling or tingling sensation, you know how exhausting it can be.
In our home, both my husband and I have dealt with RLS for years. It’s been a journey of trial, error, and research to figure out what helps, but we’ve finally found a few things that have made a big difference in our day-to-day lives.
What is Restless Legs Syndrome?
Restless Legs Syndrome—sometimes called Willis-Ekbom Disease—is a condition defined by an uncontrollable urge to move the legs, usually caused by uncomfortable sensations. It tends to worsen at night, making it especially disruptive to sleep.
Common symptoms include:
- Itching, pulling, or crawling sensations in the legs
- An irresistible urge to move
- Symptoms that worsen during rest
- Temporary relief from movement
- Nighttime flare-ups that disrupt sleep
While the exact cause is still uncertain, research shows RLS can be linked to iron deficiency, chronic health conditions, certain medications, and even lifestyle habits.
Discovering Triggers: The Hidden Culprits
One of the biggest breakthroughs in managing RLS is identifying personal triggers. Everyone’s body is different, so what makes symptoms worse for one person may not affect another.
For example:
- Soda was a major trigger for me. Once I cut it out, my symptoms became much easier to manage.
- Ashwagandha tincture, an adaptogen usually known for calming effects, surprisingly made my RLS worse.
👉 Tip: Keep a simple symptom journal. Track your sleep, diet, supplements, and stress levels. Over time, you’ll start to notice patterns that reveal your personal triggers.
What Helped Us: Hyland’s Restful Legs
The biggest game-changer for us has been Restful Legs by Hyland’s, a homeopathic, over-the-counter remedy. It’s formulated with ingredients often used for nerve and muscle discomfort, like Rhus tox, Zincum metallicum, and Lycopodium.
What we love most is that it’s non-habit forming and doesn’t cause drowsiness—making it easier to use at night without feeling groggy the next day. While homeopathic remedies don’t work the same for everyone, we’ve experienced consistent relief.
You can learn more about it on Hyland’s official website.
A Supplement Worth Exploring: Benfotiamine (Vitamin B1)
Another surprising find on our RLS journey was benfotiamine, a highly bioavailable form of vitamin B1. Since vitamin B1 supports nerve health, supplementing with benfotiamine may help reduce RLS symptoms in certain individuals.
We came across EONUTRITION, a UK-based company that not only sells benfotiamine but also shares in-depth research on the link between thiamine deficiency and RLS. Their articles gave us a whole new perspective on the nutritional side of this condition.
You can check out their resources on the EONUTRITION website.
Final Thoughts
Living with Restless Legs Syndrome can feel frustrating and isolating, but there is hope. Relief often comes from a combination of approaches—whether it’s identifying triggers, adjusting lifestyle habits, exploring supplements like benfotiamine, or using natural remedies like Hyland’s Restful Legs.
Take the time to understand your body, experiment with safe options, and connect with others who share their experiences. Sometimes the smallest adjustments can make the biggest difference.
