For the younger folk, here's some suggestions from Studio Foxhoven.
In our Never Give Up - Parkinson's and Dystonia support group, the members age range goes from 6 years old to 80-something. Because I'm used to seeing so many different ages in a group of people with Parkinson's and Dystonia, and because I want to encourage everyone to understand that Parkinson's is not just an "old person's disease", I felt it important to add some suggestions for activities for the younger folk.
Being handed a diagnosis such as Parkinson's before age 50 - or before 20 - means having to do an attitude adjustment. Our lives have changed. We can still do lots of things, but we might just have to make some adjustments. Knowing that we'll need to plan for some extra rest time on a road trip will make it go much more smoothly and we'll have a lot more fun.
The most important thing to remember is, no matter what our abilities, we can still find lots of ways to have fun and be a part of the world. Ready? Let's go!
1. Play catch or just play
Whatever we'd like this to be, play is breathing out, letting go of stress, losing track of time because we're in the "zone".
There is a real benefit to playing catch, which is explained well, just to the left. We used to play catch in our Parkinson's Yoga class a lot. Our teachers brought in a bunch of soft plastic squeeze toys and... we threw them at each other. Technically, we were supposed to call out the other person's name, then throw to them.
Sometimes, more than one person would call my name as they were throwing and I'd end up trying to reach for three at once. The best part was we'd all be laughing!
If you're wanting to really take on a challenge, try juggling. Okay, at least one person is going to say, "WHAT? I have Parkinson's, I can't juggle!" I say... take a gander at this! Juggling
Can you imagine juggling while on a balance beam? In a way, we're all learning how to juggle. Sometimes, just putting the dishes away can feel like juggling.
2. Sing or Speak to strengthen the voice and brain
Singing in the shower, singing in the car, singing while cleaning house - singing is just simply good.
In every exercise class for Parkinson's, we're given various mouth movements and facial movements to practice. I used to do these in the car, but I got some very odd looks from other drivers.
Another way to exercise our speech and all the muscles required for it AND exercise your brain at the same time is to learn a language. You don't have to become fluent, you just have to have fun. The best way I've found to do this is through the Say Something In programs. They are really amazing and fun. And what better way to exercise those muscles than to learn Spanish or Welsh? Just think how delightful it will be to greet someone in their own language!
3. Exercise - whatever way you will
It comes up now and then - what is the best exercise for Parkinson's disease? The answer to that is simple. It's the one you will do, the one you enjoy.
Walking, unfortunately, is not the one for me. My dystonia makes it exhausting and, when it really kicks in, unsafe. A car horn honking could startle me to where I could fall - though falling isn't really the right word. It's more like being propelled - down, backwards, sideways - my body likes to keep others entertained.
I have friends who ride bicycles, swim, walk with poles, pole dancing, do Tai Chi, yoga, climb mountains, and on and on, all with their challenge of Parkinson's.
I dance. Specifically, I square dance. Our group (The Rocky Mt Rainbeaus) is the best group in the country (of course) and we always have fun. You can't think of personal problems or try to solve the problems of the world when square dancing. You have to listen and be ready to move - fast. It's sort of like being a human kaleidoscope.
When I started dancing, I would get dizzy very easily. Now I can do the spins and twirls and rarely get dizzy at all! I started learning how to dance the lead part this year. Going back and forth between lead and being follow, my brain will work very hard.
4. Play games - extra points for playing with grandchildren
I like Sudoku and cryptograms and word jumbles. I like Scrabble. I like playing chess with my grandson even though the rules are changing, and whether or not my piece is captured depends on what direction his piece is facing. It's just possible, in his game, to sneak around an opponents knight, if it's not looking.
As for short term memory practice, grandchildren do not forget. They especially don't forget when you've promised to take them to the park or play chess with them "right after I rest my eyes for a few minutes". Of course, depending on the age of the children, one might not want to rest their eyes until after the grandchildren have gone back home. They challenge us to keep our brains in tip top shape.
Coloring is also a great activity. The new adult coloring books are lovely and appropriate for most ages. It's meditative and reduces stress. And, if your life is way too stressful at the moment, there are adults only coloring books with beautiful swear words to color.
Here we are playing chess with our grandsons.
5. Try Complementary medicine
I won't speak to Reiki, as it is covered in the article from caring.com, but I will say, I've had Reiki treatments and have come to appreciate the gentle healing energy I've received from this. There are other complementary treatments that can help. It's a matter of finding out what works for us.
Sometimes, we can get so much advice regarding alternative treatments, it can be overwhelming and expensive. We also need to be careful, especially with herbal remedies and supplements. It's important to talk with our doctors and pharmacists before adding these to our regimen.
If any therapy or product claims to cure Parkinson's, be very suspicious. It might do you some good, but it probably won't cure you.
A healthy diet can be one of the best ways to complement your treatments. This is easier said than done, but well worth the effort.
6. Stay involved
When we're diagnosed at a young age, or even a youngish age, staying active and involved with the world is a big priority. For many people, keeping their job is not just a simple want, especially when one has a family to support. Disability payments are not enough to make up for a full time salary. That said, if we have to give up full time employment, it doesn't mean we can't be active.
Participating in clinical studies is a way of giving back to the community and taking us closer to a cure and better treatments. For the past several years, I've been one of 4 women speaking on a panel to PharmD students at the Skagg's School of Pharmacy. It helps them to have a human connection as opposed to just the book learning.
See your family. See your friends. Give. Be a listener. Know that everyone we meet is coping with their own challenges on their own path. Parkinson's just has a recognizable name. Just because someone looks able bodied doesn't mean their life is any easier than yours. Go easy on other people. Go easy on yourself.
Be grateful. See the silver linings. Have fun!