Sometimes our bodies tremble when we are on the move, this can interfere with our activities. Tremors or “shaking” are most noticeable when they occur in the hands or feet. There are various reasons that cause the body to tremble. Body shaking may be because you feel nervous, hungry, consuming too much caffeine, or because of the influence of a health condition. In some cases, a few lifestyle changes can help, but in others, you may need medical attention. Read on to learn how to stop tremors.
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Method 1 of 2: Relaxation to Stop Tremors
Step 1. Take a deep breath
Excessive levels of adrenaline can make the body tremble. Tremors may be most noticeable when they occur in the hands and feet. If your body is shaking because you feel scared or nervous, the best thing to do is to practice deep breathing techniques. Deep breathing stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, the nervous system associated with sleep and feelings of relaxation. By doing some deep breathing, you will become more relaxed.
- Take a deep breath through your nose and hold it for a few seconds. Then, exhale through the mouth.
- Do this deep breathing a few times to help you relax more. If you can, do it while leaning or lying down to be more effective.
Step 2. Take a yoga or meditation class
Stress and anxiety may be the cause of your tremors or they may be making the condition worse. Relaxation techniques such as yoga and meditation can help stop tremors by reducing stress and anxiety levels. Try taking a yoga or meditation class for beginners to see how it works for your tremors.
Step 3. Try a body massage
Research has shown that massage can reduce shaking symptoms in people who have essential tremor, a condition that causes the hands, feet, and head to shake constantly. In that study, the intensity of the shaking movements of the studied individuals decreased immediately after the massage. Whether your limbs are shaking from stress and anxiety or from essential tremors, you can reduce them by getting regular massages. Try massaging your body to see if this will stop the shaking you are experiencing.
Step 4. Get enough sleep
Lack of sleep can cause shaking hands and feet or make it worse if you have essential tremor. Make sure you get an adequate amount of sleep each night. Teenagers need 8.5 to 9.5 hours of sleep each night, while adults need 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night.
Method 2 of 2: Changing Your Lifestyle
Step 1. Think about the amount of food you eat
Low blood sugar levels can cause shaking hands and feet, especially if you have diabetes. If your body is shaking and you feel that the cause is low sugar levels, immediately consume foods or drinks that contain sugar. Low blood sugar levels need to be treated immediately to avoid more serious complications such as confusion, fainting, or seizures.
- Eat a solid candy, drink fruit juice, or chew a glucose tablet to increase blood sugar.
- You should also eat snacks such as sandwiches or crackers if your next meal is still more than 30 minutes away.
Step 2. Think about the amount of caffeine you consume
Excessive consumption of caffeinated beverages such as coffee, cola soft drinks, energy drinks, and teas can cause tremors. The limit for caffeine consumption which is categorized as safe is 400 milligrams maximum for adults and 100 milligrams maximum for teenagers. Children are not allowed to consume caffeine at all. Because everyone is different, you can experience tremors from consuming even small amounts of caffeine.
- To stop tremors triggered by caffeine, limit or stop caffeine completely if you have a caffeine sensitivity.
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Some ways you can try to limit caffeine consumption include:
- Drink decaffeinated (decaffeinated) coffee or half-decaffeinated coffee in the morning.
- Drink caffeine-free cola soft drinks.
- Do not drink caffeinated drinks after noon.
- Replace coffee with tea.
Step 3. Find out if the tremor is triggered by nicotine
Smoking can cause shaking hands because nicotine is a stimulant. If you are a smoker, tremors in your hands may be caused by the smoking habit. Quitting nicotine "consumption" can also trigger tremors, so even if you've recently quit smoking, you may still feel the effects. The good news is that the effects or symptoms that arise from cessation of nicotine consumption reach their peak after approximately two days and then gradually disappear.
Step 4. Think about the number of alcoholic drinks you consume each day
Some people feel that drinking alcohol can relieve tremors, but as the effects of alcohol wear off, the tremor symptoms reappear. Regular consumption of excessive alcohol can even make tremors worse. If you experience tremors easily, limit or avoid alcoholic beverages to help stop them.
Step 5. Think about the lifestyle changes you have recently made
Have you recently quit smoking or taking sedatives? If so, tremors may arise from these “stopping symptoms.” If you have a long-standing dependence on alcohol and sedative drugs, you should seek medical attention when trying to stop taking them. During the process of discontinuation or detoxification, some people experience seizures, fever, and hallucinations. These serious complications can even lead to death.
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience tremors while detoxing from alcohol or sedatives
Step 6. Ask your doctor about the side effects of the medications you are taking
Different types of medicines have side effects that cause hands, arms, and/or head to shake. This side effect is called "drug-induced tremor". From cancer drugs to antidepressants to antibiotics, drug-induced tremor can be a side effect. If you experience tremors and think there is a possibility that this is a side effect of the medicines you are taking, talk to your doctor about options that can be done to manage it.
- Your doctor may advise you to try another type of medication, change your medication dose, or add another medication to help control tremors.
- Do not stop taking the drug before discussing it with your doctor first.
Step 7. Have your doctor perform tests to identify the cause of the tremor
There are several serious health conditions that can cause tremors including Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, brain damage, and hyperthyroidism. If you experience other symptoms that accompany your tremor or if you can't figure out what triggers your tremor, you should see your doctor as soon as possible. The doctor can perform tests to determine the cause of the tremor and suggest the best method for treating it.
