Skill 2: Shake It Off

Posted on by Ellen

Ever notice how a dog shakes itself off after a scare, or how a deer trembles after escaping a predator? Animals instinctively release tension through shaking, allowing their bodies to reset and return to calm. Humans have the same built-in mechanism—but too often we suppress it. Learning to let the body shake can be a powerful way to reduce stress, regulate emotions, and restore balance.

Shaking when stressed is a natural way for the body to release tension and excess stress hormones, helping calm the nervous system, regulate emotions, release stored trauma, and promote relaxation and mental balance. Shaking, trembling, or “neurogenic tremoring” when stressed isn’t just a random reaction—our bodies have a built-in stress-release mechanism. This is often referred to as tremoring therapy or stress-release shaking, studied in somatic and trauma therapies (like TRE – Trauma Release Exercises).

Here are the mental health benefits:

1. Reduces Acute Stress

  • Shaking is a natural way for the body to discharge excess adrenaline and cortisol accumulated during stress.
  • Helps the nervous system move from sympathetic (fight/flight) activation toward parasympathetic (rest/digest) recovery.

2. Regulates Emotions

  • Physical shaking can reduce emotional overwhelm, anxiety, and panic because the body physically processes tension rather than keeping it trapped.
  • Can make intense emotions feel more manageable and less triggering.

3. Releases Trauma-Related Tension

  • For people with past trauma, shaking can release stored muscular tension or hyperarousal in the body.
  • Supports somatic healing by helping the body “reset” after a traumatic or stressful experience.

4. Enhances Mind-Body Awareness

  • Noticing shaking can increase interoceptive awareness (awareness of bodily sensations), which improves emotional regulation.
  • Encourages mindfulness of stress signals before they escalate into more severe anxiety or emotional dysregulation.

5. Improves Sleep and Relaxation

  • After shaking out stress, the body often experiences deep relaxation, making it easier to sleep and reducing ongoing tension.

Remember:

  • Shaking is a healthy, natural response to stress—it’s your nervous system’s way of resetting itself.
  • Suppressing it can prolong stress, while allowing it in safe environments can support emotional and mental balance.

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