Don’t stress to avoid deterioration

[Farooqji]

Copied from the book "Complete Guide for People With Parkinson's by Lianna Marie"

“I keep away from ALL stressful situations, such as TV programs, families that argue, etc. I try to keep myself calm at all times. I have found that when my stress level goes up, so does my shaking and leg weakness.”

—THERESA T., PWP

Did you know that stress can make Parkinson’s symptoms worse? It’s true. Stress and chronic illness go hand in hand. Stress can have a very negative impact on PD symptoms, sometimes increasing tremors and reducing mobility, so it’s important to manage the stress in your daily life and find ways to relax.

The first step is identifying the source of your stress. You may feel pressure from your social responsibilities, from managing your daily duties, or dealing with unexpected problems or emergencies. However, simply adjusting to life with Parkinson’s is a huge stressor in itself. There is anxiety and frustration that comes along with having to accept your new limitations and make adjustments to your lifestyle that you might not want to.

Regardless of where the stress is coming from, implementing relaxation techniques and prioritizing stress management can make a huge difference in your quality of life.

Mom learned very early on in her journey with PD how debilitating stress can be (it could cause her body to basically shut down) and avoided it if at all possible. Of course that was sometimes easier said than done. But the more she focused on doing what was best for her instead of worrying or stressing about the things that were going on around her, the better she was able to prevent her body from shutting down.

Below are some basic relaxation techniques. Choose those that work best for you. You might have to experiment with several techniques before you find an effective routine you are comfortable with. If you can, incorporate multiple practices into your schedule—and keep it up. Consistency and practice are crucial to successful stress management.

Deep breathing

Take slow, deep breaths from your diaphragm. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Count to five as you breathe in and five as you breathe out. Do this several times until you begin to feel more relaxed.

Progressive relaxation

Get in a comfortable position, close your eyes, and slowly relax different parts of your body, one at a time. Start from your head and work your way down to your feet. If you feel like you need more direction, search for progressive relaxation routines and guided meditations online.

Music

It took almost 15 years of living with Parkinson’s for my mom to discover the power of music. She said it was a total surprise when she discovered how effective it was in getting her mobilized the first time she tried it.

When Mom was having an off period (reemergence of symptoms), she would play some favorite upbeat music and in a matter of a few minutes (and sometimes a few seconds) she would be up and moving. It was amazing to watch!

Meditation

You can find many good books and recordings for meditation in bookstores and online. You may also find classes offered in your community.

Massage

Receiving a massage is a fantastic way to relax both body and mind. In addition to its soothing nature, a good massage may help to reduce any muscle tightness or pain you are experiencing. Mom loved massage, and she got one as often as she could.

* * *

Lucky for us, the importance of relaxation is widely recognized. Most bookstores and music retailers have a section on relaxation, and there are a multitude of resources available online that provide audio recordings and books that teach relaxation practices. There is also a booming industry of smartphone apps that provide guided meditations and relaxation tips and tricks. Try out a few and pick those that work best with your lifestyle.

There are many ways to reduce stress, and you will have to find the ones that work best for you. Exercise and laughter therapy are great ways to lower stress levels. You can read more about these in chapter 40.

[ddmagee1]

Excellent advice!

[EJMo]

Totally agree. At a classical concert the other evening I started to become quite soporific and my tremor disappeared entirely.