What has nerves got to do with it?

You’re about to take a huge test and you’ve hardly opened the book.
There are 50 seconds left in the second quarter of an IU basketball game and the Hoosiers are down by two.
You just received a letter from your top pick graduate school.
Each situation elicits the same response: nervousness.

This is a universal emotion, but we all have own way of showing it ­— like biting our nails, having sweaty palms, or fidgeting.

Some nervous habits can be more delicious than others. Sophomore Melissa Mashner heads to the kitchen when the nerves hit.

“I am definitely a stress-baker,” Masher says. “It is relaxing, smells delicious, and I can taste-test whenever I like.”

Other students experience more distracting habits. When faced with a huge project or an important upcoming event, graduate student Sarah Foss gets “really negative” and tries to convince herself that the task is really not that important. Then, if the outcomes aren’t good, she doesn’t feel as disappointed.

Senior Becky Boyle  tries to plan her day down to the exact hour when she’s feeling the pressure. Boyle also creates lists and carries them around with her wherever she goes.

Up at 8:45. Research, emails
Run at 9:45. Weights
Shower, read, lunch
IMU at 1:30
Class at 2:30
Lib at 4, groceries, pick up shoes
Home at 6, dinner
STUDY STUDY
Bed B4 12!

Nancy Stockton, director of Counseling and Psychological Services, explains why these quirky, nervous habits occur and why many of us find relief in them.

Having constant physical movement helps people reduce the stressful feeling, she says. However, many people are unconscious of how they react to stress or nerves.

“It’s human nature to fiddle with things, play with our hands, or wiggle a leg,” she says. “It’s connected to the ‘fight or flight’ response.”

Fight or flight refers to a reaction connected to the sympathetic nervous system: People are prone to either take action or run when they feel threatened.

Sophomore Maddison Russell  is an example of this common response. He can’t stop moving when he’s stressed out or dealing with nerves.

“I have to be doing something with my hands, like tapping on something,“ Russell says. “Sometimes, I can’t sleep for hours because I keep moving.”

How to stop them:

“We work with the students to help them realize when they exhibit this behavior,” Stockton says.

If you’re looking to kick the habit, consider keeping track of all the times that you engage in it. This technique tends to reduce the frequency since you start to recognize what causes it, Stockton says.

If you need help:

Most nervous habits are harmless. But if your habit is more destructive and distracting, consider taking advantage of the free counseling sessions through the IU Health Center. Enrolled students are allowed two free visits per semester.