Can deep breathing help tremors? – The Parkinsons Protocol

Can deep breathing help tremors in Parkinson’s?

This article is written by mr.hotsia, a curious traveler who has spent years exploring Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, India and many other Asian countries.

In hospital waiting rooms and quiet temple courtyards, I often see the same thing.
A person with Parkinson’s sits on a bench. Their hands or jaw are shaking. A family member leans in and whispers:

“If you take a deep breath, does it help?
Can breathing exercises calm the tremor?”

The honest answer is:

Deep breathing does not cure Parkinson’s
It will not completely erase tremors
But it may help reduce the intensity of shaking in some situations, especially when stress and anxiety are making the tremor worse

Let us look at this clearly and realistically.

Why can tremor feel worse when you are stressed?

Many people with Parkinson’s tell me:

“My tremor is much worse when I am nervous.”
“When the doctor walks into the room, my hand goes crazy.”

This happens because of the stress response:

When you feel anxious or worried, your body activates the sympathetic nervous system
Heart rate increases
Breathing becomes shallow
Muscles become more tense

For some people with Parkinson’s, this extra tension and nervous system activity can make tremor more noticeable and stronger, even if the underlying Parkinson’s level is the same.

So one way to think about deep breathing is:

It cannot remove the root cause of the tremor,
but it may help turn down the volume that stress adds on top.

How can deep breathing help the nervous system?

Deep, slow breathing is a simple way to send a signal to the brain and body that:

“You are not in danger right now.”
“It is safe to relax.”

When you practice slow breathing:

The parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest side) becomes more active
Heart rate may gently slow down
Muscle tension can reduce
The feeling of inner restlessness or “inner trembling” may decrease for some people

For Parkinson’s tremors specifically, this may lead to:

A tremor that feels softer or less wild during stressful moments
Less emotional distress when shaking happens
More sense of control, even if the tremor does not disappear

Deep breathing is not magic. It is more like a volume control knob that you can learn to use.

What kinds of tremor might respond to deep breathing?

Parkinson’s tremors can be influenced by different factors. Deep breathing may help most when:

Tremor becomes clearly worse during stress, anger, embarrassment or medical visits
You feel strong inner anxiety at the same time as the tremor
The shaking is not only mechanical but also mixed with nervous tension

It is less likely to change tremor very much when:

You are completely relaxed and the tremor still continues
Tremor is mainly due to medication timing or dyskinesias
The shaking is very strong from advanced disease, regardless of mood

So, deep breathing is a tool that may help especially with the stress-related part of tremor.

What deep breathing techniques can be useful?

Here are some simple, safe patterns that many people with Parkinson’s can try. If you feel dizzy or unwell, you should stop and breathe normally.

1. Basic belly breathing (diaphragmatic breathing)

This is a gentle starting point.

Sit comfortably with your feet on the floor or lie down.
Place one hand on your chest and one hand on your belly.
Breathe in through the nose slowly so that your belly rises more than your chest.
Breathe out slowly through your mouth or nose.
Repeat for 5–10 breaths.

Focus on the movement of the belly hand. This helps move you away from shallow chest breathing.

2. Slow 4–6 breathing

This pattern can be used when you feel nervous and tremor increases.

Inhale through your nose for a count of 4.
Exhale gently through your mouth for a count of 6.
Keep the breathing smooth, not forced.
Do this for about 1–3 minutes.

The longer exhale may help activate a more relaxed state for the nervous system.

3. Box breathing (for focus)

Some people like a simple box pattern.

Inhale for 4 seconds.
Hold the breath for 4 seconds.
Exhale for 4 seconds.
Pause with empty lungs for 4 seconds.

Repeat gently for several rounds. If holding feels uncomfortable, skip the holds and just make the inhale and exhale equal.

When should I use deep breathing for tremor?

From conversations I have had in clinics and homes, people often find breathing most useful:

While waiting to see the doctor
When signing papers or paying money and hands shake more
When meeting new people or feeling watched
Before and during public situations like eating in a restaurant or talking in a group
At night, when inner shaking and worry makes it hard to sleep

You can also combine breathing with:

Stretching
Short walks
Gentle yoga or tai chi

The goal is not to become perfectly calm. The goal is to lower the tension enough that your tremor feels a little less out of control.

Can deep breathing stop a tremor attack completely?

Sometimes people ask:

“If I practice enough, can I breathe tremor away?”

In real life:

Some people notice that shaking decreases a little during deep breathing
Others feel that the shaking continues, but they are less emotionally upset by it
A few may feel very little change at all

Even when tremor does not stop, breathing can still be valuable because it:

Reduces panic and embarrassment
Helps you stay focused on your tasks
Gives you a tool instead of feeling completely helpless

If tremor attacks are very strong or frequent, your doctor may need to adjust medications. Breathing is a support, not a replacement.

Are there any risks to deep breathing in Parkinson’s?

Deep breathing is usually safe, but some people should be careful:

If you have low blood pressure and get dizzy easily when standing
If you have heart or lung disease (for example, COPD)
If you tend to hyperventilate or feel faint when you focus too much on breathing

In these cases:

Avoid very fast breathing
Avoid holding the breath for long periods
Start with short, gentle sessions
Talk to your doctor or therapist if you feel unwell

The goal is to feel calmer, not lightheaded.

How can I combine deep breathing with medication and exercise?

You can think of your plan like this:

Medication
- Helps the brain manage dopamine and motor function
Exercise
- Helps muscles, balance, heart and overall function
Deep breathing and relaxation
- Help the nervous system manage stress, anxiety and inner tension

Together, these three areas may help you live with tremor in a more stable and comfortable way.

For example:

Take medicines as prescribed
Go for a short walk
Finish with 5 minutes of stretching and deep breathing

This simple routine can become a daily anchor.

How long does it take to see benefits?

Deep breathing is a skill. At first, it may feel strange or boring. With practice:

Some people feel a bit calmer within minutes during a stressful situation
Over weeks, regular practice may reduce general tension and anxiety
With time, you may notice that you reach for breathing automatically when tremor increases from stress

There is no fixed timeline. The key is consistency and patience.

Final thoughts from the road

In a small hospital in Cambodia, I watched a nurse teach breathing exercises to a man with Parkinson’s whose hand shook a lot whenever the doctor entered the room.

At first he laughed and said:

“Breathing cannot fix my brain.”

A month later, he told me:

“My tremor is still there,
but when I breathe slowly, it does not feel like it controls me.
I feel a little more in charge of my own body.”

That is the realistic place of deep breathing in Parkinson’s:

Not a cure
Not a magic off switch for tremor
But a simple, portable tool that may help soften stress related shaking and give you more sense of control

Frequently Asked Questions: Deep Breathing and Tremors

1. Can deep breathing cure Parkinson’s tremors?
No. Deep breathing cannot cure Parkinson’s or remove tremors completely. It may help reduce stress and tension, which can sometimes make tremors feel less intense.

2. Why does my tremor feel worse when I am nervous?
Stress activates the sympathetic nervous system, increasing heart rate, muscle tension and inner arousal. This extra tension can make tremors more noticeable.

3. Can breathing exercises actually reduce shaking?
For some people, yes, especially when tremor is strongly linked to anxiety or emotional stress. For others, the tremor remains but they feel calmer and less overwhelmed by it.

4. How often should I practice deep breathing?
Short sessions of 3–10 minutes, one to three times per day can be helpful. You can also use deep breathing whenever you notice tremor increasing during stressful situations.

5. Is it better to breathe through the nose or mouth?
Most techniques use inhalation through the nose and a gentle exhale through the nose or mouth. The key is that breathing is slow, smooth and comfortable.

6. Can deep breathing replace my Parkinson’s medication?
No. Breathing exercises are a supportive tool, not a replacement for medication. Never change your medicine without talking to your doctor.

7. What if I feel dizzy when I practice breathing exercises?
Stop, return to normal breathing and sit or lie down. Next time, use gentler, shallower breaths without breath holding. If dizziness continues, speak with your doctor.

8. Does deep breathing help only tremors or other symptoms too?
Deep breathing may help with anxiety, inner restlessness and sleep, which can influence how you experience many symptoms, not just tremor.

9. Do I need a teacher to learn deep breathing?
You can learn simple techniques on your own, but a physiotherapist, yoga teacher or psychologist familiar with breathing methods can help you refine your practice.

10. What is one simple breathing exercise I can start today?
Try this:

Sit comfortably
Inhale gently through your nose for a count of 4
Exhale softly through your mouth for a count of 6
Repeat for 10 breaths

Use this whenever you notice tremor increasing with stress, and see whether your body and mind feel even a little bit calmer.

I’m Mr.Hotsia, sharing 30 years of travel experiences with readers worldwide. This review is based on my personal journey and what I’ve learned along the way. Learn more