Maybe you have felt yourself tremble after a scare, or you have seen people shake out their arms and legs to let go of stress. Shaking can look dramatic, and it is worth understanding what is normal, what is a practice, and what TRE® is.
In short: trembling is a natural part of how bodies respond to stress. Voluntary shaking exercises and TRE® are different things. Many people feel looser after shaking, but research, especially on voluntary shaking, is limited.
Shaking: a natural stress response
The NHS notes that a tremor can become more noticeable when you are stressed, tired, anxious or angry, after caffeine or alcohol, or when you are very hot or cold. Under fear or stress, adrenaline and related hormones raise heart rate and tighten muscles, which can make the body tremble. Fear-induced trembling usually fades quickly once the threat has passed.
See why does my body shake after stress?. If shaking has no trigger, is getting worse or affects daily life, see a GP (NHS).
Voluntary shaking versus natural tremoring
It helps to keep three things separate:
- Normal shaking after stress that happens on its own and usually passes.
- Voluntary shaking that you choose to do, such as bouncing and shaking out the limbs. See what is somatic shaking?.
- TRE®, a structured method that uses exercises to invite the body's own tremoring. See TRE® shaking.
What shaking practices may help with
Many people feel looser and calmer after voluntary shaking. There are theories, such as rhythmic movement helping muscles let go of tension, but there is no direct research on voluntary shaking. TRE® research is preliminary: a 2026 scoping review of 22 studies found promise and called for more rigorous research. Do not treat either as a treatment for trauma or anxiety.
For what we know, see why does shaking relieve tension?.
How to try shaking safely
Start small, keep knees soft, and stop if you feel pain, dizziness or distress. Check with a doctor first if you have joint problems, injury, pregnancy, heart or seizure conditions, or a tendency to faint. For TRE®-style tremoring, learning with a certified provider is recommended, especially if you have a trauma history. See therapeutic tremoring and what is TRE®?.
These practices are wellness education and can sit alongside professional care, not replace it.
