Stimming/stimulatory behaviour

I'm a bit confused about the differences between stimming,  tics, and habits. Some definitions suggest tics are involuntary, compulsive, and usually preceded by physical discomfort. But then, if stimming behaviour is done for comfort, and is often done without a person noticing they're doing, then surely the two are similar? I have several 'habits' so to speak, that could be seen as either. I clear my throat repetitively, or try to do it silently if in public, often clench my fingers, clicking my wrists and fingers, and have a habit of rubbing the skin on my face. I bite my tongue almost constantly, especially when stressed. As a kid I used to be pulled up for picking my skin or pulling faces.

I used to have a shawl when I was a kid which was basically my teddy, and I'd always do a movement with it which involved looping a frond of it over my finger and making it snag against hang nails by moving it back and forth. I still really like that feeling and do the same movement with any blankets or suitable clothing that's at hand now as a comfort.

I am not sure which category some of these things fall in to.

I thought stims were originally thought to be behavior that an autistic person did to feel something when absence of feeling was making them uncomfortable. Almost having to prove to themselves that they were conscious and real. This was then extended to movements which brought comfort when over-stimulated by their environment and people around them.

Tics, I believe are actions done almost involuntarily, and don't necessarily bring comfort.

My constant foot flicking is tiring, especially by the end of the day. I am coming to see it as something I need to control in order to relax more. I get way too tense about most things.

I didn't realise i did until lately, i tend tomove my feet up and down in bed the right one mostly while i'm thinking. I have for a long time had to rub heat rub into my shins due to tightness, i'd read about stims lately and thought na i don't do that until i caught myself out 2 week back with tight mucles in the shins, that explains it..

I wiggle my foot almost constantly when sitting down. I think it is a sign of stress in me, not at all comforting, but eventually tiring. I try to stop and relax, but it is hard to do.

When I am with people and feeling stressed, I rub and pinch my left upper arm with my right hand, or rub my right thigh with my hand. That does bring relief when I am not coping, and when I am happy, I don't need to. I also rub my right thumb on my  thumb on my index and middle finger, in circles, which helps me think.

I used to rub my chin, but some bloke I knew slightly, asked me if I had just had a shave, one night in the pub. I was embarrassed, and stopped doing it.

I never thought I had particular stims, but then I do love my rocking chairs and am a terrible nose picker, and constantly fidget. And I have a thing for soft paintbrushes that I like to stroke my face with. 

Since childhood I have done this weird little thing where if I can't sleep I lie on my front and rock from side to side (really nothing sexual, it just loosens the spine!) One time I forgot where I was and did it when I had 'company' and the guy was most perplexed at my strange behaviour. I explained how relaxing it was, so he had a go. From then on he was a convert, and we would both be doing it 

Hi, do a search of the posts - lots of stimming info there.