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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
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
Moderated by

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
ameliaglazner
August 14th, 2016 8:09pm
It's not really something u can stop forever. It happens to me a lot when I'm scared or anxious or worried. Just breath in and out slowly deep breaths and set both ur hands on ur thighs/knees and just keep them there and breath
Anonymous
August 14th, 2016 3:33am
If your hands are shaking try taking deep breaths and holding it in for couple of seconds. Then breathe out slowly. Repeating this will help you focus on something other than whatever is causing your hands to shake and also help you calm down. Once you calm down your hands should calm down as well
Darksunlightx
October 11th, 2019 1:02am
Your hands are probably shaking from feeling anxious, and It’s okay if you feel anxious or nervous in some way, I understand how you feel. Don’t be scared, and try to take a deep breath. Everything will be alright I’m here to listen to you, help you, and support you. You may also try to drink some water to calm down. Whatever you feel, I know it might seem hard at the moment but you are strong and will get through it. You are already here asking for help and that shows courage. I know it is difficult but I am here for you.
missg87
June 27th, 2016 10:16pm
Try breathing in and out slowly with deep breaths walk around and do something to tell your mind off it i no its easy said then done but i get shakey hands when im mad and act on impulse ive got GAD anxiety disorder
CheriBee
March 20th, 2021 5:39am
Start with a checklist of things that could be the cause. Have you eaten? Blood sugar levels can play an important role. Have you had enough water today? Dehydration can cause shakiness. is it possibly caused by emotions? Being nervous or anxious can cause shakiness. Mindfulness exercises or breathing exercises can help relax you. Lastly, are you experiencing other symptoms like dizziness or lightheadedness? Other symptoms can indicate something more serious that may require medical attention. Most simply, if you have eaten and had enough water, try shake out your arms and stretch your fingers. Getting blood and oxygen to your muscles may help stop the shakes.
booklover1224
April 27th, 2016 4:05pm
That can be from a variety of things. If they just randomly shake with no emotional connection at all, then consult a physician about it. Everyone's hands shake just a little bit, but if it's giving you trouble doing things, then it might be time to ask for medical assistance.
Anonymous
March 27th, 2016 6:57pm
There are many ways hands can shake. Arthritis is a disease that makes your hands shake, and a lot of elderly people's hands shake. If that is the case, try going to a doctor but they might not be able to help. If it is because of anxiety or nervousness, you should try to calm yourself down. Listening to music and reading has always helped for me. Or you could take a nap
NaturalScience
June 26th, 2016 9:43pm
I have shaky hands and spent a lot of time trying to find a "cure." Relaxation techniques help, a little. I find that eating regularly throughout the day and keeping hydrated are enough to keep my hands steady enough for neat handwriting. Don't ask me to do any brain surgery, though! I did once ask my trusted physician about my shaky hands. They said it was normal, and as long as it didn't hurt or interfere with my day-to-day activities, not to worry.
Anonymous
June 2nd, 2016 2:39am
I have hyperglycemia, that might be one reason. It's no big deal, I just have to have tiny snacks throughout the day.
Forestingrey
April 13th, 2016 10:00pm
Take several deep breathes. Do something. Something you like doing. Draw. Paint. Write. Fiddle with a rock. Play an instrument. Play a video game. Do something with your hands. If you don't have the time or it isn't the place, hold them in each other. Rub your hands together, rub your legs, rub your feet. Tap out a beat. Remember to breathe.
Lionbabylistener
April 3rd, 2016 5:45pm
Try to think of something else or an activity that helps to distract you from your hands shaking. This will help to take your mind off it
Anonymous
June 29th, 2018 1:21am
Take a moment and focus on your breathing. In, and out. repeat that motion, deep breaths, in through your nose, out through your mouth.
Anonymous
February 23rd, 2019 5:28am
Take a deep breath and try to relaxe your mind. Take some water if you need it. Be calm and smile. Thinking about your happy memories can be help to. Do your best and don't be anxious. You can do this. I believe in you. You do you.
shiningSoul45
February 17th, 2019 6:06am
To stop shaking and jittery hands, take three deep, slow breaths. Breath in through the nose, and out through the mouth. Clench your fists on the inhale, and un-clench your fists on the exhale. Then release your fists gently. Scan your body for any areas of tension. If you are feeling a tense spot, focus on the area and imagine the muscle loosening. Facial areas, including the toung and jaw are often holding un-noticed tension. Repeat this exercise until any tension is gone. If your hands stop shaking, but jitters persist, look up to the sky for one continuous minute.
Anonymous
March 28th, 2021 10:15am
Put your hands on your lap, take deep breathes, and count to 10. Close your eyes if you need to. You may have just finished panicking which is completely okay. Just take deep breathes, drink some water if you need to, and think of your happy place. This can be a childhood home, a park you would go to with your friends, or just anywhere that brings you peace. After that I want you to think of some people that have really impacted your life in a positive way. Think about why they are so important to you and just by doing these few things it can go a long way in getting your hands to slowly stop shaking.
HappinessGrows
January 10th, 2019 3:57pm
When my hands shake, it's often a sign to me that I am feeling nervous or anxious. I try to bring my hands together so that I feel more grounded in the moment and more in control, and I sometimes gently press the fingers of one hand against those of another. This gives me something to focus on initially and then becomes an unconscious movement that I seem to do until I feel better. Feeling that I have more control over the movement helps me to realise that I am safe and I begin to feel stronger and calmer.
Anonymous
December 27th, 2018 7:20am
First, visit with your primary care doctor for an evaluation for physiological causes. If you doctor tells you it is not physically caused, it is time to think about your emotional and mental wellness. If the shaking is related to anxiety, you may want to consider professional psychotherapy. Psychotherapy can assist with understanding your stress levels and how to better cope with stressful situations. Also, proper sleep, exercise, and nutrition are important, as well as having supportive people in your life. Please also consider improving and strengthening your social connections through volunteering. There are many wonderful volunteering opportunities available in most communities.
JuliaNotJuliett
April 10th, 2021 11:53am
Shaking hands can be a result of plenty of issues, physical or emotional. If it's a physical issue, it would be best to see a physician (this kind of thing is usually related to stress or trauma suffered by the joints, and it happens from time to time, regardless of the surroundings). If the shaking is caused by an emotional/mental health issue, then it would be safe to try and identify the strongest emotion you are having, and concentrate on the source (e.g. If your hands are shaking because you are furious, where is the fury coming from? What can you do to stop it); more often than not though, this could be caused by something out of your control, such as stress or anxiety. I think that a short term solution would be trying out a few breathing techniques and seeing which one works for you, and a long time solution might be taking this issue to a therapist. Take care!
thefuture12
April 15th, 2021 7:53am
Breathing. It helps to manage the feelings inside of you. Breahte in and breathe out. Think about how the air goes through your Lungs and how they end in your heart. Everytime you breathe out think about all the emotions you blow out in the same time. They dont need that much space in your heart. Now take your own hands and hold them. Your not alone, you have yourself. You are strong and powerful. Do the exercises one more time and breathe in and out. You feel the air everywhere in your body now. Your body is ready for working again.
eLucae
June 3rd, 2021 2:33pm
Hands shaking is multiple things, it could be stress, anxiety, or just something with your blood sugar. If you have a strong feeling that it may be stress, try to calm down. Try doing something that calms you down. If its something that has to do with people, leave the room. Go to a quiet space and take deep breathes. Its normal to feel overwhelmed in front of certain people if you need to do something.
beccarc17
November 9th, 2018 5:08pm
Hands shaking can be caused from many different sources. In many cases, it is just a genetic factor that causes hands to shake in which cause it can be treated by medication. However, if it is caused by alcohol or caffeine, the only real way is to unfortunately reduce consumption. There may be more serious causes of hands shaking such as a problem with blood pressure, which would require you to seek professional help from a doctor. If it's caused by anxiety or nerves, you can focus on DBT skills such as breathing exercises. You may find these solutions help but each case is different !
GoodVibes3
October 11th, 2018 10:38pm
Take some deep breaths 123 in 123 out for as long as you need to. This will help calm you down, if this is something that constantly and consistently occurs and is interrupting your life you should visit a doctor or therapist to help you with the feelings that could be causing the shaking. Could you tell me what you are feeling and possibly why they started shaking, by doing this, we can work backwards hopefully making you feel safe and calm. I’m here to listen, I can’t give advice, although I can listen to what you have to say.
3HereForYou3
July 28th, 2018 11:27pm
Drink lots of water, take deep breaths, try to stay as calm as possible, do things to distract you or talk with a person who you feel safe around whether that's on the phone via text or face-to-face.
KatieKittredge
July 28th, 2018 7:58pm
Control you breathing. Take a deep breath, hold it for 2 seconds, and slowly release it. Your hands will begin shaking less and after a few minutes will stop shaking.
Anonymous
July 18th, 2018 5:30am
Try foucusing on something else for example look around the room for 5 things you can see 4 things you can touch and so on.
Peony6
July 14th, 2021 6:33pm
When we experience anxiety or fear we pick up some compulsive habits such as feet tapping, nail biting or hand shaking. However, since we are talking exclusively about handshaking, it would be beneficial to know that sometimes hand shaking stems from nerve problems. In thay case it's highly recommended to consult a physician if the handshaking is severe and out of control. Now, come to the question of managing. We'll be first willing to stop it and for that willing to pay the price. The price is nothing but diligent practice and discipline. Firstly, we need observed at what time, for what and for how long our hands are shaking? What are the triggers behind? When did we pick up this habit? Once we know the reasons and trigger, we'll make ourselves equipped to before the handshaking occurs. We can divert ourselves by observing details of the surroundings or perhaps by eating a candy or engaging in a friendly conversation with others. We may also take measures to avoid the triggers for a time before we eliminate the root cause of this. This is it. Thank you so much for reading my answer and please pardon my grammatical erros. Have a good day!
Robynni
August 27th, 2021 8:40pm
I have a full body tremor! I'm entirely happy to talk about it, and I can totally relate! I try to concentrate on something else, myself. Sometimes when we focus enough, it can take away from the more irritating or negative parts we deal with. Of course, for mental situations we use mindfulness, grounding, etc. Which, if a root cause of shaking is anxiety, could work, but not always! I quite like picking up a pen and doodling on scrap paper! I can try to control my hands a little more, with a creative spark! Other hobbies could be used, too, of course. Gaming, reading, music, anything really! It's likely that, for me, I usually fixated on something worrying, or something triggering just happened, and I need to work through the feelings I gained from it.
Anonymous
November 4th, 2021 11:05pm
Honestly, my hands shake a lot. So do my legs. People have said it's anxiety, but I don't see how the two of those correlate. It could possibly be anxiety, so you could get help, or some physical problem. Also, don't drink too much coffee, and try to get good sleep, because I don't and I am quite shaky. I think that strong emotions or just gripping your hands too much can also cause something like it too. Personally, I don't think there is anything wrong with me that's causing this other than sleep problems and anxiety, but try searching on the internet and if you have any related conditions to shaky hands.
mmpls23
July 1st, 2018 7:58pm
I practice 4×4 breathing. Close your eyes, lay your palms down on the bed or couch next to you, breathe in for 4 seconds, hold it for 4 seconds, then exhale for 4 seconds. I do them in sets of 4 and as I'm able I increase the exhale time.
Anonymous
May 7th, 2022 12:26pm
Shaking your hands is very common when youre stressed. Here are some tips so you can keep your hands under controle! 1) hand patterns, this might sound odd but it works! tapping rythems or patterns can keep you distracted from why you're stressed and can keep your hands busy. 2) find some posses you're okay with, put your hands in your pocket or cross you're arms, if you feel comortable with how your stance is it will help you feel less stressed and help you relax. 3) wear some hand accessories like a bracelet or a ring, playing with those will keep your hands busy and thuss avoid shaking. I hope these tips helped!