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Why shaking works

Stress and fear flood your body with adrenaline and cortisol. Mammals naturally tremble after a threat to discharge this energy — your dog does it, a deer does it. Humans have learned to suppress this reflex. Voluntary shaking for 60 seconds gives your nervous system permission to complete the stress response and return to calm.

1 Stand up if you can, or sit comfortably. Give yourself a little room.

2 Follow the prompts — shake the part of the body shown. Let it be loose and easy, not effortful.

3 When the timer ends, pause and notice how your body feels.

Shake your hands. Let them go loose.

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Done. Take a slow breath.

Let your breath come in naturally. Exhale slowly. Notice the ground under your feet.

How do you feel compared to 60 seconds ago?
Notice any shift — in your shoulders, your jaw, your chest. Even small changes count.

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Why this works

Trauma and stress researcher David Berceli observed that mammals naturally tremble after a threat to discharge adrenaline and cortisol. Humans have learned to suppress this reflex. 60 seconds of voluntary shaking can reduce cortisol and release muscle tension that breathing alone doesn't reach.