Somatic Tip: Shake It Out!

Feeling anxious, nervous, or on edge after a stressful experience? Set a timer for 2-3 minutes and shake it out!

Watching other living creatures can give us clues about the innate stress response cycle. Animals tend to have a good shake after stressful events, which allows them to return to a more regulated state.

My chicken does it after I trim her claws.

A gazelle who's escaped from a cheetah's grasp will also do it.

Dogs will often perform a full-body shake after a veterinary exam or a tense interaction with an unfamiliar dog.

Human bodies are no different. We need to complete our stress response cycle. An efficient way to do that is a good shake or other vigorous movement. This can allow our nervous system to process the stress through and out of our bodies rather than storing it, which can do harm over time.

The next time you find yourself feeling stressed, take 2-3 minutes for a good full-body shake of your own. Your nervous system and your future self will thank you!

Image description: a blonde middle-aged person wearing glasses and looking into the camera, with a golden and black chicken standing on her shoulder.