Although fidgeting might seem more like a nervous habit than a weight loss strategy, it can actually help you trim away the pounds. Fidgeting uses more energy than idleness does, burning more calories over time and resulting in slimmer figures for those who don’t sit still. The amount of calories fidgeting consumes depends on what type of fidgeting you do and how consistently you fidget; the more you move around, the more you burn.

People who never seem to stop moving – they pace while they’re on the phone or jiggle their feet while watching TV – burn more calories in a day, according to researchers at the Mayo Clinic. The phenomenon is called none exercise activity thermogenisis (NEAT) who knew?