Do you stay still

[Witterquick]

I don't observe people so I have to ask. Do people actually stay still? For how long at a time if you do? I ask because some part of my body is always moving every waking moment. I'm sure I'm not alone but I'm just curious, are most people like this or do most people stay still and for how long?

I can't imagine being in one position for longer than a minute or not moving my legs or fingers at all. Sometimes, I wish I could be this restful and cozy up in a position to read and be comfortable not moving for hours. But I'm always uncomfortable. *sigh*

 

[Amaris]

I can stay still for extended periods of time (other than autonomous actions by the body of course). The longest I have ever stood without moving was a couple of Halloweens back, when I dressed as an alien and stood in my Aunt's front yard. As the children would walk by, they'd take a look at me and, thinking I was one of those statues you can buy to put in your front yard, would start laughing and poking my costume, saying what a dumb statue, and then I would reach out and touch them on the shoulder with my long, alien fingers and they'd scream and run away. Sometimes I would spend an hour in between kids visiting that night (in her neighborhood, Beggar's night lasted from 5 PM to 10 PM) standing stock still, but man it was worth it.

J.

 

[sidious618]

I shift aroud like a maniac. I toss around at least five times before being able to fall asleep.

 

[Snaploud]

I think it's less a matter of staying perfectly still and more a matter of not paying attention to the small movements. Do you find that you often have trouble concentrating?

 

[AstroSmurf]

Nope. I am never still. I am always moving in some way or another. I am either bouncing my leg or twiddling my fingers or walking in circles. I usually watch tv making laps around the coffee table. I am not even still when I sleep! My mother has always said I was like a runaway buzz-saw, even in the womb.

 

[trampledamage]

I can stay very still, but mr trampledamage is always tapping something, even when he's asleep. Don't know whether this was caused by him being a drummer or he's a drummer because of it!

 

[Mallory]

Generally speaking I have no problem remaining still, especially if I'm sleeping.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I can stand still even when I'm moving.

 

[jamestyler]

I can't seem to manage it. I have a lot of little aches and pains that seem to flair up when I stay in one position for more than a minute or two. I can never get comfortable enough whether sitting, standing or laying down.

 

[Zulu Romeo]

Biochemically, physiologically, physically, mentally, positionally, psychologically, socially, practically, occupationally, sociologically, geographically - I'm always moving.

 

[Jadzia]

One finger one thumb one arm one leg one nod of the head, stand up sit down, turn around, sit down, stand up sit down keep moving. One finger one thumb one arm one leg one nod of the head, stand up sit down, turn around, sit down, stand up sit down keep moving. One finger one thumb one arm one leg one nod of the head, stand up sit down, turn around, sit down, stand up sit down keep moving. We'll all be merry and bright.

 

[Zulu Romeo]

^ Always with the party games and songs...

 

[Jadzia]

This song was our morning routine in assembly at infant school. I suspect our headteacher was trying to wear us out. Who else does sings this song with three stand up sit downs in one line? That's nine per verse. And makes two more verses than the song normally has.

By the time we got to All Things Bright And Beautiful, we were all out of breath.

 

[Zulu Romeo]

I remember that song in school too. We never got around to the three stand-ups, it was always "Stand Up! Turn Around! Sit Down!" and then the song was over. (I guess that explains the physical state of us Scottish-bred kids... poor stamina. )

 

[iguana_tonante]

In general terms, I have no problem staying still. Depends on my mood, tho: when I'm nervous or stressed, I tend to get restless. Pretty common, I think.

 

[Danoz]

Nope. I am never still. I am always moving in some way or another. I am either bouncing my leg or twiddling my fingers or walking in circles. I usually watch tv making laps around the coffee table. I am not even still when I sleep! My mother has always said I was like a runaway buzz-saw, even in the womb.

Basically this.

 

[auntiehill]

I can be relatively still for quite awhile. My job requires me to sit and read for hours on end, so I have to manage it.

 

[Holdfast]

I find it useful to be able to switch my manner depending on the setting. Sometimes stillness and poise is called for; sometimes exaggerated animation and hand-gesturing is helpful. I've learned to switch between them fairly easily though obviously the setting makes it easier to adopt one or the other. For instance, slipping into the latter is more natural in social settings and the former in quieter, professional settings.

But being able to switch them around can actually be really useful in eliciting different responses/reactions in different settings.

 

[JuanBolio]

Unless I have a compelling reason to be still, I tend to fidget around a lot. I toss and turn in my sleep constantly.

If I'm hunting or stalking someone, though, I can be still and silent as the night air.

 

[RJDiogenes]

For a lazy bum, I do move around a lot; I never really notice unless I make one of my ill-fated attempts to meditate and only last about thirty seconds.