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How can I stop my hands shaking

243 Answers
Last Updated: 06/01/2022 at 9:16am
How can I stop my hands shaking
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Tracy-Kate Teleke, PsyD, M.A., LMFT

Marriage & Family Therapist

I assist adults and couples in CA experiencing relationship challenges and interpersonal struggles including anxiety, depression, and a myriad of other life challenges.

Top Rated Answers
haileeanne99
May 10th, 2019 4:58am
It depends on the situation a person may be in which is making your hands to shake. When a person is dealing with anxiety/nerves, it can be hard to shake off those uneasy feelings. The most crucial step in order to stop your hands shaking is to reduce your anxiety levels. This is something that is extremely hard to do, and most likely can't be done overnight. It will reduce an individuals levels of anxiety and your body won't identify those situations as stressors. Another thing I would recommend is talking to a doctor about it. If it is something that is impacting your life, it is important to seek professional help. Other steps that I find helpful is to take deep breaths, go in a quiet space, or do grounding techniques. Grounding techniques is when you identify things around you that you can see, touch, smell, etc. It helps reduce and alleviate anxiety.
katiehoran
July 6th, 2019 1:07am
In order to deal with anxiety and hand shaking, unless it has to do with an underlying physical condition, there are a couple of steps you can take. First, begin breathing in a methodical manner. Even if it seems simple, focusing on your breathing and nothing else can keep you from focusing on any intrusive or negative thoughts. Not only this, but you can also do multiple mindful practices. Look at what's causing the shaking, and how you can change that. If it's GAD or another anxiety disorder, behavioral therapy or meds may be the best choice. Otherwise, practiced the aforementioned breathing exercises or focus on positive thoughts in order to deal with the underlying anxiety. Lastly, think of what triggers it. Finding out this trigger and either attempting to overcome it or addressing it through therapeutic approaches.
Anonymous
December 14th, 2019 10:01am
Deep breaths are always good to help steady yourself instead. Bouncing or moving another body part can sort of move the tension, and it helps me more than just trying to keep still, as it feels less restrictive. Doing something else with your hands — fiddling with a piece of jewelry, tapping out a tune, folding paper or something else similar — is another way to move the tension. If you want to be completely still, then it’s possible with a lot of deep breathing, and focusing on purely keeping still and often concentrating on talking or whatever else you’re doing.
JSBrian
December 20th, 2019 9:43pm
Aside from providing a tongue-in-cheek answer to this, unless this is something that you have had diagnosed by a medical professional and/ or have any understanding, without more, this is a question that is best directed for a licensed medical professional. There are plenty of causes for "shaking hands", and the issue may be a symptom of something much larger. Only with the proper medical evaluation will you get the answers for which you are looking. The fact that this is being posed as a basic issue / question, while both good and indicative of you recognizing an issue with the desire to improve it, implies a lack of personal familiarity of the underlying problem. Probe deeper to identify potential causes / situations in which you find your hands shaking the most, talk with your family members / friends / care providers to engage them (if comfortable), and contact medical professional who will help ask the questions that you do not yet know how to ask so that you may receive the help you need.
beautifuldreamer27
January 4th, 2020 6:32pm
I personally carry a fidget cube on my keys, so whenever I feel my hands start to shake then I'll use that. If I don't have my keys to hand, I always have a bobble on my wrist and I will play with this. I also have a range of anti-anxiety apps on my phone that act as a distraction, so again I'll use something like this as it allows me to distract my mind from the reason my hands were shaking and also allows me to focus my fine motor skills. There are a range of different apps to look at that also give you ideas to keep your hands busy.
contentedShoulder7342
February 21st, 2020 8:12pm
By getting something to put on your wrist which you can fiddle with from time to time it will be able to distract you. Maybe a bracelet or a band. Also good for taking your mind off things. I know this exercise has really helped myself. Or try and rub your hands together, so you can feel your hands - I know this one helps me as it takes my mind off my hands are shaking. Try and relax when your hands are shaking as it might calm your hands down too! Hope this helps!! Or stretching your hands out and in
Anonymous
March 13th, 2020 1:21pm
First,CHECK your diet,insufficient amount of nutrient can potentially cause hand shaking,and even sleep issues,and without proper sleep,symptoms just becoming worse and worse,your heart starts to hurt,you have a headache,you have blurred vision,or shaking entirely,from toes to the head,that's a physical problem that may cause your hands to shake uncontrollably.When it comes to the psychological problems,it's VERY complex,as the only person who start feeling better and finding out the culprit on "Why my hands are shaking" is you,and only you,psychiatrists/therapists may only guide you and provide support together with your family/friends,because the answer is in your head,because when you know the answer,you can then talk to the therapist/psychiatrist about it,and fix the problem.
Anonymous
April 9th, 2020 5:59pm
When your body is subjected to stress, it goes into fight-or-flight mode. Stress hormones flood your body and speed up your heart rate, blood pressure, and your breathing. Your body prepares to deal with the stressor, interpreting the anxiousness as a signal that you’ll need to stand your ground or escape from danger. Your muscles become primed to act, leading to a trembling sensation, twitching, or shaking. Tremors caused by anxiety are called psychogenic tremors. You can try to do some relaxation techniques like yoga, Progressive muscle relaxation (focuses on contracting, then releasing different muscle groups), deep and slow breathing or mindfulness exercises or anything that really relax you or makes you happy/calm. I find that as i calm down, the shaking will slowly stops too.
giggleDeer1023
May 17th, 2020 8:43pm
Focus your brain in the other areas of your body, maybe on the part you are most proud of like your eyes. Try to relax and take a long deep breath. Visualize you are shaking hands with great confidence and posture. Practice, practice, practice until you made it 5x in a row Check on how others do it. Socialize, so you will be relax around different people. Have a small talk first and feel the surroundings until you are relax Remember you are always one step on making this perfect, so just go on with the flow and enjoy yourself Keep in mind, I am the Boss here Smile
sunshineMelody2530
May 24th, 2020 2:41pm
Take a deep breath and go into a room where you feel most calm. Take a few moments to calm yourself, you are on a safe place. Did you eat today? Did you sleep well? I am here if you need someone to talk with.
AngusBeefPatty
June 4th, 2020 4:45am
Try deep breathing exercises! When my hands shake i take large, deep breaths about 3-4 times and try to focus only on my breath in that moment and not draw my attention away from it. You can also try the relaxing breath method where you breathe in for 4 counts, hold for 7 counts, and breath out for 8 counts. I think these two methods have really helped me. Also try to avoid caffeine based drinks like monster or coffee as that can make shaking worse. Repeat if needed till shaking gets better or fully stops :) Best of luck!
Anonymous
July 10th, 2020 3:12am
Clench your fists as hard as you can for a few seconds. Notice the tension in your body. Then, let go. Let your hands and arms flop down and notice how that feels. Do it a few times, focusing only on those sensations. If this doesn't work, drink some water and make sure you've eaten enough. Sometimes shaking is not from anxiety but from something physical like low blood sugar, caffeine, dehydration, etc. Take care of your body! If nothing is working you may just have to wait a while. Use a distraction like a walk, a book, or talking with a friend to take your focus off the discomfort.
RomulusV
July 22nd, 2020 8:55pm
When my hands are shaking often I try to remove myself from stressful situations if possible and try to relax. Usually I tend to use distractions to help myself calm down. I may take my earbuds and listen to music, read. A book, watch something that I can engage in, or etc. Breathing exercises also can help, though I haven’t found them the most beneficial. I try to tell myself that it’ll be okay and that I’m alright or will be alright. And I try to take care of myself in these moments. To take care of my needs and to focus on my feelings for a bit till everything settles down
Anonymous
August 1st, 2020 5:14am
Take a deep breath, in and out. Try going to a place that is quiet and separate from everyone and everything. What are you personally anxious about? If you'd like, we can talk about it. For now, just breath in for 8 seconds, hold for 6, and breathe out for 8. If you need to fidget with your hands, I personally know that helps me sometimes, so hold something soft and not sharp or dangerous. Switch it from hand to hand as you think about things. If you cant be alone right now, then just take in the situation, and think about how things arent hopeless.
brightPond5967
August 23rd, 2020 7:14am
Breathe. I know this feeling won't last forever even if in the moment it does. Distract myself. Play with my fingers, and move them in a pattern. Close my eyes. Imagine I'm in a safe place. My bed. Remember you are your own worst critic. Everyone makes mistakes so it if okay if I make one. I'm not alone other people have felt like this and they survived. My first time doing something? It'll be okay if I mess up. I know people are understanding and the most I can do is my best. If I try my best I can be happy with myself. I can find comfort in my own body. And if I need help someone in this world is willing to help me. Believe the universe has a plan for me and what's meant to happen will happen.
EmpoweringDolphin
September 9th, 2020 12:58am
breathing exercises and shifting focus. Do a quick check in with yourself and breathe in through your nose for 8 seconds, then out through your mouth for 8 seconds. If you can bring your attention to something else, you can try to refocus and redirect your anxiety and just generally calm down. There are different meditative practices that can help- for instance, name 5 things you see, hear, smell, or feel. Bring yourself back to reality, back to the simple things that can feel grounding and distracting. Keep yourself distracted and use grounding, breathing, or calming techniques until you naturally lower your anxiety and get your hands to stop shaking. The move you focus on the problem, the more difficult it will be to change.
Straightpath617
September 13th, 2020 6:09pm
I'm sorry that you are experiencing that. That must be very difficult to deal with during every day life. Shaking hands or "hand tremors" can often be a side effect of mental health and mental health medications. If this issue has been bothering you for a while, I would recommend that you ask your medical doctor to see if there is a medical cause for it. Whether or not the cause is medical or a side effect of medication, there are ways to battle the symptoms. Best of luck to you. I do hope that you feel better and that this issue is taken care of soon.
DailyToast
September 19th, 2020 10:48am
Breathe deeply with your eyes closed and count to 10. Think of something pleasant, that you are thankful for. Then do it again. Clasp your hands together and squeeze all your muscles as tight as you can and count to five. Then, release and take a breath. Then do it again. If none of those things work, jump up and down and wave your arms. Dance and sing a song to yourself. If you are in a setting where you cannot do something like that and you need to be more discrete, sit on your hands and put as much pressure on them as you can, then release.
Anonymous
October 8th, 2020 4:34am
Place your hands flat against a surface such as a table, into the pockets of your pants, or against your body and take a deep breath. Curl your fingers up into a fist or run them along the surface that your hands are on. Try closing your eyes and picturing thoughts that bring you joy or calmness such as a positive memory or even just an idyllic scene like a calm river or mountain range. Hands shaking are the product of anxiety so if you can calm yourself down in some way, this should help the shaking stop.
Anonymous
October 28th, 2020 5:13pm
First thing you need to identify is why your hand is shaking, is it anxiety? Is it too much coffee? Once you figure this out, you can decide what to do next. If it is anxiety, there are a couple of things you can do, deep breathing, a good nights sleep, taking a drink of water or a quick "bathroom break" to clear your head. there are many reasons as to why one's hand might be shaking and there are many solutions, one just has to find what works for you. If this continues and you are concerned, schedule an appointment with a health worker and see if there is something that can help. They may give you a relaxant or try to find an underlying cause. There is no shame in asking for help!
kimberly100024
November 5th, 2020 7:00pm
Take a few moments to breathe deeply. Breathe with your belly and center your mind and your head over your shoulders. Straighten your posture and plant your feet on the ground. Assume a confident position, even if you do not feel like you are truly confident. This will prepare your body and your mind to confront whatever is making your hands shake. Focus on stability and peace of mind; let the anxious thoughts pass through like clouds. Affirm yourself that you have courage and confidence inside of you. If your hands still shake, focus on your breathing again. Try to release the muscles and tension in your hands, your arms, and any other places that are tense.
LinaMoon
November 6th, 2020 9:41pm
Having your hands shake can be really difficult to cope with, especially if you're an artist or are worried about if anyone will notice that your hands are shaking. As crazy as this sounds, one of the best things to do is try not to focus on it. The ways you can do that is by focusing on your breathing or grounding exercises. Also, if this is a common occurrence for you, drink lots of water and make sure your body is well nourished. I wish you the best of luck! I hope this helped you a little bit. -Lina
CuddlyLlama
November 14th, 2020 6:48pm
Limit or avoid caffeine as this tends to make it worse. Consider physical therapy to strengthen and improve it. See your GP or a Dr who may be able to explore this and offer diagnosis(if you do not have this already) they can offer different forms of treatment and medication which can often lessen or at least reduce your tremors significantly. These treatments could rang from beta blockers to anti anxiety meds if this the cause. Consider writing down what happens and when it happens to get a better idea of what is going on for you and help you get treatment :)
TheFunnyWalker
December 16th, 2020 8:45pm
I usually close my eyes and take deep breaths while trying to clear my mind and think of nothing at all. It helps to sit or find something to lean against. It takes a couple minutes but it works for me. It sometimes help to picture nothing but the color white for some reason 🤷🏽 When that doesn’t help I try washing my face and controlling my breathing. Usually when hands start to shake then breathing and heart rate increases so I don’t try to stop the shaking I try to control the heart rate and breathing and that In turn help to stop shaking for me.
Anonymous
January 20th, 2021 6:40pm
Shaking hands can occur for many reasons, including reasons pertaining to health, so before you take any advice from the internet about how to stop your hands from shaking, it may be a good idea to check with a healthcare professional or doctor to see why your hands are shaking and to rule out any possible underlying health conditions. Consulting a doctor may even resolve the issue if they are able to identify and treat the cause. However, if the shaking is idiopathic (that is, without a known cause) or if it is recommended to be treated through lifestyle modifications, several modifications may help. These include: reducing caffeine in the diet, engaging in calming exercises or mindfulness exercises, practicing small rituals that you find relaxing and which seem to reduce the tremor, for instance, focusing on small, safe, fine motor tasks, like drawing or stringing beads. I wish you the best of luck with your hands, and hope you are able to find the answers you need.
Anonymous
February 10th, 2021 5:14pm
Hi! I absolutely understand how much of a burden shaking hands can be. Here are some tips to prevent them from shaking: Try to avoid caffeine. Caffeine and other stimulants can increase tremors. Learn to relax, take your mind to a place that calms you and makes you feel at peace. Another tip is to keep your hands occupied. Try doing activities such as drawing, writing, building Legos, or playing a mobile game. If none of the previously listed options don't work for you, try wearing wrist weights! The extra weight on your arm may very well make control easier.
Easylistener
February 13th, 2021 5:42pm
If you find your hands shaking it helps a lot to try and drop your shoulders, take a few deep breaths and have a glass of water. The more you centre yourself it will help to calm your nervous system, which will calm the shaking. Usually anxiety is the cause of the adrenaline rush to cause shaking, so the more you work on calming the Central Nervous System and the fight or flight response, you would help the hand shaking. Sometimes a sleepless night, or overuse of alcohol can also cause this response, so getting more sleep is a good idea.
bluepicnic
March 6th, 2021 6:40am
For me, my hands shaking tends to be a sign of anxiety, I use breathing, mindfulness, and grounding techniques to ground myself. Holding my hands together and breathing deeply tends to help me. Moving to an environment I'm more comfortable in is also nice when I have the opportunity. For grounding, I like the 5 things method. It involves locating and pointing out to yourself 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you (and everyone) can hear, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste. You don't have to go around touching and smelling things, but by finding these things in your environment it can be calming and help reduce anxiety that tends to be the root cause of the hand shaking, at least in my experience.
energetic4unicorns
February 27th, 2022 8:49pm
When I'm very nervous or have a lot of anxiety, my hands tend to shake. One way I stop the shaking is by squeezing a stress ball. I have a lot of different kinds of stressed balls that I keep on my desk for these types of situations. Just simply squeezing my stress balls helps to not only stop the shaking of my hands, but it helps to calm myself down. I also have a fidget cube that I like to use whenever I am feeling anxious and need something to do with my hands. I would therefore recommend fidget cubes or stress balls.
Anonymous
March 4th, 2022 7:33pm
Sometimes our hands shake for many reasons. It's possible to first rule out physiological and medical causes, with a professional like a doctor - where they can do a full blood test and scans and everything. Then, explore mental health causes, with professionals - and with moral support on websites like these. Sometimes, people shake when they are dehydrated and anxious (like the person didn't have enough water or food during the day). If you feel this is mostly anxietal-related, then it's good to map out when you feel this way, and identify triggers. From there, you can proactively take measure before the shaking occurs. For example, if you always shake in your hands at night after a long day at work, then maybe you can change up the time you eat, sleep, relax, work, etc. Breathing exercises sometimes help and alleviate some physical symptoms especially if you practice each day.