What should I do if I am shaking?: A Complete Guide

October 2, 2025 •

4 min read

Physiological tremor is a natural, slight tremor everyone has, but when shaking becomes pronounced, it can be unnerving. If you're wondering what should I do if I am shaking, understanding the potential causes and proper response is key for both immediate relief and long-term management.

Quick Summary

When involuntary shaking begins, first assess the situation calmly by taking deep breaths. Address common causes like anxiety, low blood sugar, or caffeine intake with specific calming or restorative actions. If the shaking is severe, persistent, or accompanied by other worrying symptoms, seek medical advice to identify and treat any underlying conditions.

Key Points

Stay Calm and Assess: If you start shaking, find a safe place to sit, take deep breaths, and assess for common triggers like stress or low blood sugar.
Address Common Causes: Use techniques like deep breathing for anxiety, consume a fast-acting sugar for hypoglycemia, or reduce caffeine intake if overstimulated.
Recognize Warning Signs: Seek immediate medical help if shaking starts suddenly, worsens quickly, or is accompanied by other serious symptoms like weakness, confusion, or severe headaches.
Consider Medical Conditions: Persistent or worsening tremors may indicate an underlying condition like essential tremor, Parkinson's disease, or hyperthyroidism, requiring a doctor's evaluation.
Evaluate Medications: Talk to your doctor if you suspect your shaking is a side effect of medication; do not stop or change dosage on your own.
Practice Long-Term Wellness: Lifestyle changes like consistent sleep, a balanced diet, and stress management can help reduce the frequency and severity of shaking episodes.

First Steps When Shaking Starts

When you begin to shake involuntarily, your immediate reaction should be to remain calm and assess the situation. Finding a safe place to sit or lie down can help prevent injury in case the shaking intensifies or you feel dizzy. A quick assessment can help you determine the likely cause and what action to take next.

Assess and Respond to the Immediate Situation

Find a safe place. If you are standing, move away from hazards and sit down. If you are driving, pull over safely.
Regulate your breathing. Slow, deep, diaphragmatic breaths can help calm your nervous system, especially if the shaking is anxiety-induced.
Check for low blood sugar. If you are diabetic or haven't eaten in a while, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) could be the culprit. Consuming a fast-acting sugar source like juice or a glucose tablet is the first step.
Hydrate yourself. Dehydration can worsen symptoms of anxiety and general shakiness. Drink a glass of water.
Reduce stimulants. If you have consumed a large amount of caffeine or other stimulants, try to counteract the effects by relaxing and avoiding more intake.

Common Causes of Shaking and How to Address Them

Shaking can be caused by a variety of factors, ranging from manageable lifestyle triggers to more serious medical conditions. Understanding these causes is crucial for appropriate action.

Stress and Anxiety

Anxiety triggers the body's 'fight or flight' response, releasing adrenaline that can cause shaking. Managing anxiety is key to reducing these episodes.

Breathing exercises: Box breathing (inhale 4, hold 4, exhale 4, hold 4) can help regulate your heart rate and calm your nerves.
Grounding techniques: Use the 5-4-3-2-1 method by focusing on five things you can see, four things you can touch, three things you can hear, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste.
Progressive muscle relaxation: Systematically tensing and releasing muscle groups can relieve physical tension.

Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia)

For individuals with diabetes, or if you've gone a long time without eating, a drop in blood glucose can cause shaking. This is the body's attempt to release stored glucose.

Eat or drink sugar: A glass of juice, a piece of hard candy, or a glucose tablet can quickly raise blood sugar levels.
Eat a sustained snack: Follow up with a complex carbohydrate and protein snack to stabilize blood sugar long-term.

Excessive Caffeine or Stimulants

Overconsumption of caffeine in coffee, energy drinks, or soda can overstimulate the central nervous system and cause temporary shaking.

Cut back: Reduce your intake of caffeinated beverages. For sensitive individuals, even small amounts can trigger shaking.
Switch to decaf or herbal tea: Substitute your usual high-caffeine drinks with lower-caffeine or stimulant-free alternatives.

Medication Side Effects and Withdrawal

Many medications, including certain antidepressants, asthma inhalers, and lithium, can cause or worsen tremors. Sudden withdrawal from alcohol or certain drugs can also induce severe shaking.

Consult your doctor: Do not stop taking medication on your own. Discuss potential side effects with your healthcare provider to explore dosage adjustments or alternative prescriptions.
Professional detox: For substance withdrawal, medical supervision is critical due to potential severe complications like seizures or delirium.

When Shaking Indicates a Medical Issue

While many causes are temporary, persistent or worsening shaking can be a sign of an underlying medical condition. It's important to consult a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis.

Essential Tremor

Essential tremor is a neurological disorder causing involuntary, rhythmic shaking, most often in the hands, but it can affect the head, voice, and legs. It is often more noticeable during voluntary movement, such as reaching for something. Treatment options include medication, therapy, and, in severe cases, surgery.

Parkinson's Disease

Parkinsonian tremor is one of the key symptoms of this progressive neurological disorder. It is typically a 'resting tremor,' meaning it is most apparent when the body part is at rest, and often starts on one side of the body. Unlike essential tremor, it doesn't improve with activity.

Hyperthyroidism

An overactive thyroid gland can cause a range of symptoms, including shaking, weight loss, and a rapid heartbeat. A simple blood test can diagnose this condition, which is treatable with medication.

Comparison of Shaking Causes


Feature	Anxiety-Induced Shaking	Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia)	Essential Tremor
Onset	Sudden, often linked to a stressful event	Can be sudden, especially if meals are skipped	Gradual onset over time
Triggers	Stress, panic attacks, high-pressure situations	Lack of food, intense exercise, diabetes medication	Intentional movement (e.g., reaching for a glass)
Associated Symptoms	Racing heart, sweating, rapid breathing, feeling of dread	Sweating, dizziness, hunger, confusion, irritability	Often no other neurological symptoms besides the tremor
Resolution	Usually resolves once anxiety subsides and calming techniques are used	Resolves quickly after consuming sugar	Chronic, but manageable with treatment
Location	Can be generalized throughout the body	Can be in hands and legs	Most common in hands, but can affect head, voice

When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention

While many shaking episodes are not emergencies, certain symptoms warrant immediate medical care:

Sudden onset of tremor, especially after a head injury.
Shaking accompanied by severe headache, weakness, or trouble talking.
Changes in thinking, such as confusion or hallucinations.
Sudden weakness or numbness in any part of the body.
Shaking that occurs with a high fever.

Conclusion: Taking Control of Your Health

Understanding what should I do if I am shaking involves a calm and measured approach. For common, manageable triggers like stress or low blood sugar, simple breathing techniques or a quick snack can provide relief. However, if the shaking is persistent, worsening, or accompanied by other concerning symptoms, it’s vital to seek medical advice for a proper diagnosis and treatment. By paying attention to your body and consulting with healthcare professionals when needed, you can manage your symptoms effectively. For more detailed information on different types of tremors, a resource like the Cleveland Clinic on Tremor can provide additional guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions

For immediate relief from anxiety-induced shaking, practice deep breathing exercises like box breathing (inhale for 4, hold for 4, exhale for 4). Grounding techniques, such as the 5-4-3-2-1 method, can also help shift focus away from anxious thoughts and back to the present moment.

Yes, many medications can cause or worsen tremors as a side effect. Common culprits include certain antidepressants, asthma inhalers, and mood stabilizers. If you notice a new tremor after starting or changing a medication, consult your doctor before making any adjustments.

Shaking from hypoglycemia is often accompanied by other symptoms like sweating, dizziness, sudden hunger, and irritability. If you have these symptoms and haven't eaten recently, consuming a source of fast-acting sugar can quickly resolve the shaking.

Shaking is a sign of a serious problem if it has a sudden onset, occurs after a head injury, or is accompanied by other severe symptoms like weakness, confusion, severe headache, or trouble walking. In these cases, seek immediate medical attention.

While often used interchangeably, 'shaking' is a general term, whereas 'tremor' is a more specific medical term for an involuntary, rhythmic muscle contraction and relaxation. A tremor can be a form of shaking, but shaking isn't always a tremor; it could also be from a cold shiver or nervousness.

If shaking is persistent and doesn't resolve with simple calming techniques or addressing immediate causes, it is best to see a healthcare provider. A doctor can help determine if there is an underlying condition, such as essential tremor or hyperthyroidism, and recommend an appropriate treatment plan.

Yes, insufficient or poor-quality sleep can exacerbate normal physiological tremors and increase anxiety, which can lead to more noticeable shaking. Ensuring you get 7-9 hours of restful sleep per night can help regulate your nervous system.