4 Strategies for Living with Parkinson’s – The Quest To Lead An Exceptional Life

Living with Parkinson’s Disease – Beyond The Shakes

Living with Parkinson’s Disease – Where did Parkinson’s Disease – Beyond The Shakes originate?

Flashback 12 years, I’ve just been diagnosed with Parkinson’s, so my life as I know it is over, right? 

My future will be limited to being housebound and dependent on others.  I will be a burden on family and friends.  These are thoughts that likely go through everyone’s mind.   Wait, let’s rewind our thoughts for a minute. 

Take-Two: Action – I’ve just been diagnosed with Parkinson’s so that means my life as I know it’s over right?

Well, only if you decide you want it to be. 

With a Parkinson’s diagnosis, you can lead an exceptional life, it’s all in your mental approach to dealing with a degenerative disease.  Am I going to lead an exceptional life while owning Parkinson’s, or am I going to let it own me? 

The choice we make and the course of action we set will play a major role in how we live our lives with Parkinson’s. In this blog, I’m going to lay out the strategies I use to lead an exceptional, happy life. 

So, join me on my exceptional journey through life.

So, how do you lead an exceptional life with Parkinson’s?  Sound’s easier said than done right? 

Well, here are some of the strategies I’ve been using for the past 12+ years for living an exceptional life after a Parkinson’s diagnosis. I will be going into greater detail on each category below, later on, so read on and see where the quest leads.

Living with Parkinson’s-  4 Strategies

1. Exercise– You mean go to the gym or get all sweaty and then be sore for days?  Not exactly.  Exercise has been shown to improve symptoms, brighten your mood and give you a sense of well-being and community (when done with others).  So find something you enjoy,  throw on those shorts, lace up those shoes and get moving! You can also put on some goggles and swim fins and hop in the pool.
2. Nutrition– Eating a well-balanced diet with fruits and vegetables, lean proteins and complex carbohydrates will help you maintain a healthy lifestyle.  Be cognizant of taking your medication with proteins as it can block some of the absorptions of your medication.  Does this mean I have to give up sweets, baked goods, and pizza?  Not, just try to find balance (no pun intended).
3. Attitude– Start each day with three things you are grateful for and you will get your day off to a great start.  It’s hard to be pessimistic and feel down when you are grateful.  Help a friend or neighbor with something, complete a project around the house, or learn a new skill or hobby. These will give you a sense of satisfaction and enjoyment.  Enjoy the little things and the journey will be a lot more pleasant.
4. Community– Join exercise groups, support groups, and book clubs all these give you a sense of belonging and see how others struggle with the same issues as you.  You will see that most are living happily, fulfilled lives.

So, can we live a happy, fulfilled life after a Parkinson’s diagnosis?  Absolutely!

Not only can you live a happy, content life, but you’ll also find yourself learning new things, meeting new, interesting people, and making new friends.  You’ll find that you can overcome challenges in front of you when you approach them with the right strategies and attitude.

Let’s come full circle and return to where we started. 

Whether you call it a quest, journey, trek, or pilgrimage, the road to a happy, fulfilled life lies in front of you.  Like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, follow the yellow brick road and see what adventures await you. 

The road will get bumpy sometimes and you may even run into the Wicked Witch of Symptoms: Tremors, Freezing, Dyskinesia, and Imbalance. 

But, take heed and forge on knowing the strategies I’m presenting that are successful and backed by scientific research.  So, let’s click those heels together and get started.

Living with Parkinson’s – Exercise

When your Neurologist tells you you need to exercise, it will help you with movement, stiffness, and overall well-being, for most patients a sense of dread looms over you. 

You think to yourself, “I can’t go to the gym, there a fit people there lifting weights and running, I’ll embarrass myself!” 

Or, “I can’t because I don’t know what I’m doing”. 

There is a myriad of excuses.  It all boils down to just moving.  Pick things that you like to do and will do consistently.

A few examples:

1. Maybe you like to walk.  Ask a friend to go on a 30-minute walk with you at the same time every day.
2. Take an aquatics class (it’s easy on the joints) with a friend, or better yet make some new friends from the class.
3. Attend a Silver Sneakers Class
4. Take Tai Chi

The possibilities are endless.  I have a regimen that I follow that has been beneficial for me that I do consistently and includes the following:

• Monday & Wednesday – PIYO Yoga (Yes, there are days I have balance problems and may look awkward but you find people in the class are very supportive.
• Tuesday & Thursday – Swimming  ( I swim a mile – 72 laps but I had to work into it).  You can do an aquatics class and get great benefits.
• Friday – 30 min Spin Cycle class & strength training (at home)
• Saturday – Boxing (there are many classes available look in your local area.  Rock Steady Boxing for Parkinson”s is a good one).
• Sunday – Strength Training & Walking

I also do a Momentum Class on Tuesday and Thursday at the York, PA Jewish Community Center (JCC) which is designed for people with Parkinson’s and other neurologic issues. 

We focus on exercises that help with balance and other areas of daily living. 

I’m recruiting the instructors to be guest bloggers to provide more detail about the program so stay tuned.

As you can see, I do something consistently every day. 

However, make sure to get approval from your physician first on your exercise program, start small and gradually build into it, join group classes or find a friend to partner with and seek assistance from licensed trainers. 

This sounds great, but does exercise make that much of a difference? 

Isn’t the reason I take all this medication because it is supposed to get rid of the symptoms? 

Below, I’ve listed a few articles on the research backing the benefits of exercise for Parkinson’s Disease.  So, what are you waiting for?  Find a friend and get MOVING!

Living with Parkinson’s – Benefits of Exercise Research Links