When the body switches to alarm

Do you remember moments when you were so angry or shocked that your body began to tremble or you felt intense tension? This can happen during public appearances, conflicts, loss of a loved one, job changes, moving, car accidents, physical injuries, or even from everyday stress.

In such moments, the sympathetic nervous system is activated, putting your body into a so-called “fight-or-flight” mode. The autonomic nervous system, which we cannot consciously control, triggers a chain reaction of neurophysiological changes that prepare the entire body for a potentially dangerous situation. Among other things, large amounts of energy are redistributed to the mobilizing muscles of the legs and torso, which then tense intensely.

Trembling as a natural healing reaction

Once the threatening situation is over, the body normally returns to a state of balance – a kind of natural healing. This mechanism is called tremor and manifests as shaking in part or all of the body.

All animals use this mechanism, but we humans have culturally learned to suppress it as a sign of “weakness”. As a result, excess energy remains in the muscles and the sympathetic nervous system remains overactive. This can lead to a range of physical complaints, such as tense shoulders, neck, back or jaw, lack of energy, poor posture, as well as mental and emotional problems like anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, or excessive worrying.