Does your body shake when you have anxiety? (+11 Practical solutions)
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The Optimistminds editorial team is made up of psychologists, psychiatrists and mental health professionals. Each article is written by a team member with exposure to and experience in the subject matter. The article then gets reviewed by a more senior editorial member. This is someone with extensive knowledge of the…
In this post, we will be explaining if your body shakes when you have anxiety. We will also be explaining when you need to seek help because of your body-shaking. Lastly, we will check out a few coping techniques that you can use to reduce the shaking caused by anxiety.
Does your body shake when you have anxiety?
Yes, your body shakes when you have anxiety. Many people experience body shaking as a response to triggers that can cause anxiety. At the same time, body shaking as a response to anxiety may not be experienced by all.
Body shaking as a response to anxiety is mainly caused by the ‘fight or flight’ response that the nervous system goes through when the person faces a certain trigger. Since the body understands that some danger is imminent, it switches to this ‘fight or flight’ response.
As part of this ‘fight or flight’ response, cortisol, adrenaline and epinephrine are released into the bloodstream. These hormones in turn increase the heart rate of the person, along with their breathing rate and their blood pressure.
Once this happens, the person’s muscles tighten up in order to take on any dangerous situation. This tightness leads to the shaking of the body along with trembling. While some people may experience shaking of the whole body, others may experience trembling in a certain area.
When to seek help for body-shaking caused by anxiety?
Anxiety can cause a person’s body to shake and tremble. However, only in certain cases and situations external help may be necessary. If you are experiencing body-shaking as a result of your anxiety, you can seek help when the following situations occur.
When the trigger factors become smaller
Trigger factors lead to anxiety which then causes body-shaking and tremors in a person. However, when the trigger factors for your anxiety consistently become smaller and smaller, it may be time to seek help for your anxiety.
When there are no trigger factors at all
When the anxiety is being experienced for a long time, there may be no trigger factors at all. In case your anxiety is coming as a result of no triggers, this may be time to seek professional help for your mental health.
When it interferes with daily chores
Another factor that can denote that it may be time to seek professional help for your body-shaking caused by anxiety is when it interferes with your daily chores. For instance, if you are unable to apply your daily make-up or dress up properly, you may need to consult someone.
When your safety is compromised
Body-shaking caused by anxiety can also sometimes lead to dangerous situations. For example, many people find it hard to cook and cut vegetables when they are going through body-shaking. In this case, it is best that you seek medical treatment for your anxiety.
When the shaking is uncontrollable
Some people naturally find coping strategies and techniques to help with their body-shaking caused by anxiety. They may either find solutions for the body-shaking itself or may use tools to reduce their anxiety levels.
However, when you have tried and tested many coping strategies on your own and are not able to control the frequency of your shaking, you may benefit from professional treatment. This will not only reduce your anxiety levels but even improve your quality of life.
How to cope with body-shaking caused by anxiety?
If you are experiencing a lot of uncontrollable body-shaking as a result of your anxiety, there are many ways through which you can reduce the intensity and frequency of your physiological reactions. In this section we have explored a few coping techniques that you can use.
Practice deep-breathing regularly
The easiest way to cope with body-shaking caused by anxiety is to simply breathe deeply. This is definitely one of the most recommended strategies that can be used by anyone to navigate through their anxiety attack which is leading to shaking and tremors.
In deep breathing, you will be inhaling and exhaling for longer periods of time, making sure that your lungs are almost full and empty respectively. Deep breathing brings a better balance between your O2 and CO2 levels which reduces the ‘fight or flight’ response from your body.
Be aware of your trigger factors
Anxiety, which leads to body shaking, often comes as a result of being exposed to certain trigger factors. By becoming more aware of what your trigger factors are, you will be able to avoid them or at least be better prepared when you face them.
Practice body-scanning
You can also practice body-scanning as a relaxation technique to cope with anxiety that causes body-shaking. Body-scanning allows you to become more aware of each of your body parts and give them the relaxation they need.
Try yoga for anxiety
If you are up for it, you can also try practicing yoga to decrease your anxiety levels. Yoga is not only a superb physical exercise but is also very helpful for your mental health. You can practice yoga on your own and even in a group.
Reach out for support
Experiencing body-tremors as a result of anxiety can be a frightful experience for anyone. One way to reduce your anxiety levels is by reaching out for support in your friends and your family. Having a support system around you helps you since you are not alone in your struggles.
Go for group therapy
You can also try going to group therapy with others who have experienced the same. If you are unable to find a group near you, you can always join an online group. In group sessions, you will be able to find people who empathize with you and you may also learn new solutions.
Consult a mental health professional
It is always best to seek the advice of a mental health professional when your body-shaking due to anxiety is giving you a lot of trouble. While a psychiatrist may give you much needed medication for this, a psychologist may further assess you and help you cope.
Going to a psychotherapist can also help in dealing with your body-shaking caused by anxiety. In therapy, you will find a safe and non-judgmental space to vent your feelings. Your therapist will also guide you to practice new coping strategies and techniques to reduce your anxiety levels.
Practice mindfulness exercises
Mindfulness is another great coping technique that you can use to cope with body-shaking caused by anxiety. Mindfulness directly reduces the feelings of anxiety in your body, which automatically shuts down the ‘fight or flight’ response which easily reduces your body tremors.
Try aromatherapy
You can even try aromatherapy to reduce your anxiety levels, which can help with your body-shaking. Inhaling certain scents like peppermint and lavender is known to help with anxiety and can definitely help when your body is shaking due to anxiety.
Practice proper sleep hygiene
The quality of your sleep also plays a very important role in your anxiety levels. If you have not been able to sleep properly, this can trigger your anxiety which leads to body tremors and shaking. You can practice regular sleep hygiene to improve the quality of your sleep.
Workout regularly
Finally, working out regularly can also help you when you are experiencing a lot of anxiety. Physical exercise not only helps in releasing neurotransmitters which are necessary for reducing anxiety but also makes your body stronger and more flexible.
Conclusion
In this post, we have explained if your body shakes when you have anxiety. We have also explained when you need to seek help because of your body-shaking. Lastly, we have checked out a few coping techniques that you can use to reduce the shaking caused by anxiety.
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Citations
Take Control of Your Anxiety Today: Personalized Counseling with BetterHelp
