balance

Balance. It means many different things to those with PD. I try to exercise most days with either yoga, weight lifting, kickboxing, stretching, or gardening. It helps me both physically and mentally and I’m always on a quest to find the right balance of pushing myself a little to keep my symptoms in check while not over doing it so that I’m overly tired.

Balancing our daily activities. Some days you’re looking forward to spending time with family and friends and other times you need down time. Your meds are not working properly or one of your symptoms is particularly challenging and you need time to yourself. Both are important. I know for some it’s difficult to get out and do activities but it can lead to feeling isolated, so sometimes you have to just do it, even though you don’t feel like it, and once you start you end up enjoying it much more than you thought. Other times don’t push and relax with a good book or take a nap.

Balancing our mind. There are so many things I’m grateful for and live a blessed life, but having PD can be at times mentally exhausting. Your always being reminded of it throughout the day, dealing with pain and other symptoms. Meditation, a gratitude journal, practicing mindfulness and being present, all help me keep a positive attitude when things are challenging.

Balancing our medications. Boy is this a fun one. Trying to take enough of, and the right combination of medications to feel our best, without having too many side or adverse effects. Also trying to coordinate our meals with our meds, makes Parkies the world record holders in the number of times we look at our clocks each day.

And then of course there is our physical balance. Tai Chi, yoga, and many other exercises can help with our balance. Doing little exercises during the day like standing on one foot when you’re at your kitchen counter or waiting in line while running errands can be helpful. I’ve been doing this one for a while now so it’s automatic. Whenever I wait for an elevator or stand in line at the store, I do it without thinking about it. I call it my mini flamingo pose.