Psychologist Says if You Can Never Sit Still During Phone Conversations, You Likely Have These 9 Traits

Phone calls are something of a dying art. You can blame texting, email, social media messengers and generational preferences. But one psychologist says phone calls absolutely still have their place in communication with friends, colleagues and family members.

“Texting and voice notes are great because there’s no pressure to reply right away,” explains  Dr. Brittney Pearson, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist with Thriveworks. “However, a phone call offers a level of intimacy and presence that a screen just can’t replicate.”

Walking while you talk—whether the call is for work or to connect with a friend—is one way to get more movement into your day. That’s healthy. Yet, some people can never sit still during phone conversations. Is that habit a problem? The answer is nuanced. But Dr. Pearson says it’s a good idea to consider how our habits can clue us in to traits we have.

“Habits are the specific behaviors we learn and consciously repeat, whereas traits are the biological ‘settings’ we are born with,” she reports. “In most cases, our traits drive our habits.”

For instance, people with certain characteristics might pace around during phone calls to manage their emotions. Which traits? Dr. Pearson answers those questions and provides nine traits you may have if you can never sit still during phone conversations. She also discusses how to remain still during calls.

Related: Psychologist Reveals That People Who Write Out To-Do Lists by Hand Share These 7 Unique Traits

Is It ‘Normal’ Not To Sit Still During Phone Calls?

“Normal” is such a relative term. Not being able to sit still during phone calls can indicate many things, including neurodivergence, mental health concerns or harmless personality traits.

“Restlessness often points to specific clinical concerns,” Dr. Pearson explains. “These behaviors may stem from under-stimulation related to ADHD, or they could be a symptom of anxiety. Additionally, restlessness can manifest as psychomotor agitation—a condition frequently associated with manic episodes or depression.”

She adds that habits, like an inability to sit still during phone conversations, can mirror our traits. But your first guess may not be the correct one.

“For instance, pacing during a call could indicate neuroticism, but it could just as easily signal high extraversion,” she shares.

Dr. Pearson also says it’s crucial to consider the environment in which you’re taking a call.

“High-stress settings can trigger habits like pacing or fidgeting in almost anyone,” she points out. “In these cases, the behavior reflects the situation rather than the person’s inherent character.”

Also, some habits are more fleeting than others and may stem from temporary psychological states.

“Someone experiencing burnout might compulsively doomscroll, even if they are naturally extroverted and active,” she says.

Related: Psychologist Says Overthinking at Night Is Closely Linked to These 9 Traits

9 Common Traits of People Who Can Never Sit Still During Phone Calls, Psychologist Says

1. High neuroticism

Dr. Pearson shares that phone calls can be super stressful for people with high neuroticism, a trait characterized by a tendency to experience negative emotions, like anger and self-doubt.

“The individual often feels intense internal pressure to ‘perform,’ and constant movement helps release that built-up anxious energy,” she says.

2. Highly-efficient

Highly conscientious people are often the “optimizers” of the world. Walking and talking at the same time comes naturally to them, and they thrive when they can habit stack.

“Individuals high in conscientiousness often view moving during a call as an efficient use of time,” Dr. Pearson reports. “In this context, movement satisfies an internal drive for constant productivity and output.”

3. Excellent problem-solvers

Highly conscientious people are also often expert problem-solvers—and therefore may move during calls.

“High conscientiousness is also linked to goal-directed behavior,” Dr. Pearson explains. “In this framework, moving during a call reflects active, purposeful engagement in the discussion.”

4. Low impulse control

On the flip side, people may not sit still during phone conversations if they have low conscientiousness or poor impulse control.

“If an individual struggles with impulse control, their threshold for inhibitory control is low,” Dr. Pearson explains. “Movement serves as a healthy release of internal tension; for these individuals, physical action is released rather than suppressed.”

5. Sensing-perceiving

For the uninitiated: “Those with a sensing-perceiving preference often process information through physical action,” Dr. Pearson says.

She shares that moving while chatting can improve focus and engagement rather than distract people who identify with this personality type.

6. Extraversion

Dr. Pearson notes that extroverts—sometimes spelled extraverts—frequently crave sensory feedback.

“Pacing or walking during a call provides the sensory input necessary to maintain focus during the conversation,” she explains.

Related: 9 Subtle Signs That You Might Be an Ambivert, According to Psychologists

7. Highly agreeable

Dr. Pearson notes that highly agreeable people can use pacing as a “displacement activity” while chatting on the phone.

“This occurs when an individual feels anxious about how they are being perceived,” she notes. “It is important to note that in this specific context, pacing reflects situational concern for others rather than an inherently anxious personality.”

8. External processors

Dr. Pearson shares that external processors like to think out loud and use other strategies to process information, such as movement.

“For these individuals, both speech and movement are outward expressions of their internal thought patterns,” she says.

9. Active-minded

Dr. Pearson shares that people who prefer to move during phone calls crave novelty and may adore creative pursuits. There’s a lot going on in their minds, but movement serves a surprising purpose for them.

“For them, movement can act as a grounding activity that keeps their mind from wandering, allowing them to remain focused on the task at hand,” she explains.

Related: Psychologist Says the Most ‘Magnetic’ People in a Room Actually Do These 9 Things

How To Sit Still During Phone Calls: 3 Tactics To Try

1. Incorporate mindfulness

Dr. Pearson says mindfulness aims to anchor yourself—brain included—in the present.

“It encourages meaningful observation without immediate reaction,” she states. “Using this practice, an individual observes the urge to move as a sensation rather than automatically acting on it.”

2. Scale down movements

Dr. Pearson says that external processors can scale back large movements into “micromovements,” or small, intentional movements, like posture shifts.

“‘Micro-movements’ can satisfy the physical urge to move while keeping it contained,” she advises. “This can be achieved by using a fidget device or simply pressing your feet together.”

3. Use relaxation techniques

Dr. Pearson shares that muscle tension often drives restlessness.

“Two effective ways to reduce it are progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) and box breathing,” she explains. “PMR involves systematically tensing and then releasing different muscle groups throughout the body to physically let go of stress.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Pearson notes that box breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, setting off a relaxation response.

“To practice, follow a simple four-second cycle: inhale for four seconds, hold for four, exhale for four and hold for four before the next breath,” she suggests.

Related: Psychologist Says if You Instantly Forget Someone’s Name After Meeting Them, You Likely Have These 9 Traits

Final Takeaways

Habits, like moving during phone conversations, can clue us into our traits, mental well-being and even brain type. Here’s what to know.

• There are many reasons why you might not sit still during phone calls. People with ADHD or high stress may not sit still during phone conversations. Sometimes, this habit is fleeting, such as when you are currently experiencing a stressful season of life. Other times, the habit is more consistent throughout your life.
• People who can’t sit still during phone calls often share common traits. For instance, they’re often highly efficient, have poor impulse control and need to process information externally.
• You can work on the habit. If you think the habit of moving during phone calls is holding you back, you can learn to sit more still. “Practical ways to promote stillness while maintaining engagement in a phone conversation,” Dr. Pearson explains. “These strategies include relaxation exercises such as progressive muscle relaxation and box breathing, scaling down movements, and mindfulness practices.”

Up Next:

Related: Psychologist Says if You Clean While You Cook, You Likely Have These 7 Traits

Source:

• Dr. Brittney Pearson, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist with Thriveworks.