Hi, I'm a person who suffers from anxiety and I've noticed that whenever I'm feeling really anxious or overwhelmed, I have a tendency to rock back and forth. I'm curious about why this happens and if other people with anxiety experience the same thing.
I've tried looking up the answer online, but all I can find is information about rocking as a form of self-soothing for individuals with autism or other developmental disorders. While I do find that rocking helps me feel a little calmer, I don't have any developmental disorders and I'm wondering if there's a different explanation for why I and other people with anxiety might rock.
Has anyone else with anxiety experienced this? Does anyone know if there's a scientific explanation for why it happens? I appreciate any insights or information that you can share.

Hi there, as someone who has struggled with anxiety for years, I can definitely relate to the experience of rocking back and forth. It's almost like a form of self-soothing that I revert to whenever I'm feeling overwhelmed.
In my experience, it feels almost like a subconscious response - I don't even realize I'm doing it until someone points it out. But once I start rocking, I find that it can be really calming and grounding. The repetitive motion provides a sense of steadiness that can help to quiet the racing thoughts that often come with anxiety.
I've also found that rocking can be helpful when I'm dealing with physical symptoms of anxiety, like trembling or an elevated heart rate. The motion can help to regulate my breathing and heart rate, which can in turn help to alleviate some of the physical discomfort associated with anxiety.
Of course, as others have mentioned, rocking isn't a cure-all for anxiety. It's just one strategy among many that can be helpful in managing symptoms. But for me, it's been a useful tool in my overall toolkit for coping with anxiety.