How can I help myself?
However hard it is, it is important to keep as mentally and physically active, as possible. The following tips may help:
- Identify the times of the days when your symptoms are better and your medication is most effective. Plan more difficult tasks for these times of the day.
- Pace yourself and make sure you have regular short breaks when undertaking tasks that are complicated or likely to take some time.
- Recognise your limitations and identify your priorities – the things that ‘make life worth living’ and that you want to keep up at all costs.
- Ask for help if you need it rather than struggling on with something that you are finding hard to manage.
- See if you can break some jobs in to smaller, achievable steps that can be achieved a bit at a time.
- Plan major activities in advance and ensure that you have some ‘down-time’ afterwards to recover. Many people find that they often feel particularly tired the day after they have engaged in a major task or event – e.g. a wedding, a day spent digging the allotment or raising money for the local Parkinson’s association in a shopping centre.
- Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly.
- Incorporate time for relaxation into your daily routine to help you unwind – this might be include yoga exercises, aromatherapy, reading a book or having a long soak in a bath
- Keep up your interests. An occupational therapist may be able to advise you on ways of making those you are struggling with, easier to manage.
Yoga
A system of personal development involving an integrated approach of mind and body control to promote health and inner peace. It usually involves gentle activities designed to maintain fitness, suppleness and muscle tone as well as to strengthen the body’s own healing powers. Breathing is important and together with meditation and visualisation exercises, is thought to help energise body and mind, reduce stress, and improve concentration and clarity.
See section on yoga.
Aromatherapy
An ancient practice that uses essential oils (essences from aromatic plants) to improve physical and emotional well-being.
See section on aromatherapy.
Occupational therapy
Health profession that helps people of all ages who are disabled, ill or aged to remain independent and lead fulfilling lives at home, in work and through leisure pursuits. The methods they use include specific activities and equipment.
See section on Occupational Therapy.
