Once you find a routine that works well it becomes comfortable and automatic. The routine would be wonderful but adjustments must be made, because when one is dealing with Parkinson’s disease, the rules as we knew them change on us. The alteration in what was once normal can be both perplexing and sheer upheaval. The uncomfortable trick to working with this illness, and not fighting it, is analyzing what the body has changed and how do I counter-move to the newest change. The process is difficult and a tremendous challenge. I can speak from my own experience that as I continue to make slight adjustments in my daily life, I can tweak what isn’t working and slowly implement something new that might help. Part of the process is keeping an open-mind and a willingness to try what may be considered “unconventional”.
Here are 5 items to consider:
- Do- Keep a close eye on your medicine regimen. You don’t want to spike your dopamine level nor do you want it to plummet. Keeping the same schedule daily is your best bet for maintaining an even flow of medicine.
- Don’t–Avoid or at least reduce your consumption of high protein foods, high sodium foods, fatty foods, and unhealthy processed foods that may be interfering with your medications.
- Do-Something as simple as a banana before bedtime may reduce muscle cramping and improve your sleep. I’ve seen it work!
- Do–Breathing is an action many of us take for granted. The problem that I have found for many parkinsonians is that we don’t breath as deeply as we are able. Focusing on our breath and making sure that we are processing as much oxygen as we can is of vital importance. Through awareness, practice, and maybe some help through your local yoga teacher or an online video, you may expand your breath capacity.
- Do–Speak up –if you aren’t getting what you need from your support group, tell them what you need or start your own group.
Making slight and subtle changes everyday may be very beneficial!
