The Power of Shaking: Reset Your Stress Like a Zebra

Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers" "" "While in the Masai Mara few days ago, where we celebrated the first few days of 2025, I witnessed something unforgettable. A herd of zebras narrowly escaped a lion attack. What happened next stuck with me: instead of focusing on their near-death experience, they shook. A full-body shake to release the tension, reset, and return to grazing like nothing had happened." "" "This reminded me of Robert Sapolsky’s book, Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers, which explores how animals experience stress in short bursts, then let it go. Unlike us humans, they don’t carry it forward, no overthinking, no endless replay of what might go wrong next." "" "Inspired by this insight, I’ve restarted my morning shaking practice, something I used to do regularly but had let slip. Qigong shaking is a simple, grounding ritual that clears stress from the body and helps me start the day with clarity. Just a few minutes of shaking can reset your nervous system, release tension, and create space for focus and creativity." "" "Why shaking works:" "- It helps the body process and release built-up stress, like a reset button for your nervous system." "- It’s simple and natural, mimicking what animals instinctively do after a stressful moment." "- It reconnects you to your body and the present moment." "" "If you’ve been feeling stuck, tense, or scattered, try this: Stand tall, soften your knees, and gently shake your entire body for a few minutes. Let your arms, shoulders, and legs move freely, no structure, no rules." "" "Sometimes, the best way forward is to return to what we know works. For me, shaking has been a game-changer in the past to get rid of daily stress." "" "#WhyZebrasDontGetUlcers #Qigong #StressManagement #MasaiMara