Relieving the symptoms of Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)
Once restless legs starts, I recommend you intervene early. Don’t lie there for hours battling with your legs.
Exercise
Exercise can at least help a bit with your restless legs. Walking around the room can help. Personally, I find more vigorous exercise helpful. I do squats. Three sets of ten squats seem to help. Squats are easy to do in the comfort of your own room.
Magnesium bath
Dissolving magnesium sulfate (Epsom salts) in a warm bath is a popular remedy. The warmth of the water combined with the magnesium may help soothe the legs.
Stretching
Focus on the calves and hamstrings. A simple "wall stretch" (stepping one foot back and pressing the heel into the floor) can provide quick relief.
Leg massage
Firmly massaging the calves or using a foam roller can help desensitize the nerves and improve circulation.
Sex
I must highlight that this section has no research behind it. This is just my own experience (n=1). I find that sex or masturbation really helps with the acute symptoms of RLS. Sex is involved with the release of a cocktail of neurotransmitters one of which is an increase in dopamine. Low dopamine is a factor leading to RLS (see Causes of restless legs syndrome – Dopamine). It may be that dopamine released during sex counteracts the intrinsic low dopamine.
Mental stimulation
Engaging your brain in a complex puzzle may add as a distraction to the sensation in the legs.
