Pebbles in the Pond: A Day with Parkinson’s

Every day with Parkinson’s is a balancing act between my medications, my body, and my attitude. I sometimes feel i'm juggling chainsaws, although that would provide a really bad outcome almost every time.

On any given day or hour, my symptoms and their effect on me vary significantly. One of my tools I use to trigger myself into action is to think of Parkinson’s and its effect on me as an analogy.

Finding the balance

I am a pond. My pond is filled with my Parkinson’s symptoms, whatever else might be going on with my body, my brain, and my environment. All those things, untreated, might make my pond overflow.

Overflowing is my Parkinson’s symptoms worsening: Tremors, further loss of fine motor skills, heightened anxiety, and depression. 

If I stir in the right amount of medication and attitude, my pond levels out right at the shoreline and the surface is mirror smooth. Nothing is ever static and as I go through the day, pebbles and even rocks are tossed into my pond.

It causes ripples, and even waves, that bounce and reflect off the edges of my pond. I begin to overflow and the effect of my symptoms is heightened.

Changing my attitude

A pebble might be being late for an appointment because Parkinson’s caused you to be slower than usual getting dressed. Another pebble might be receiving an unexpected bill in the mail.

Rocks might be a visit to the dentist, a big argument, or even a fall. The effects of the ripples and waves from these rocks and pebbles continue long after the incident unless I do something.

If I do nothing, my worsened symptoms will continue through the day or even longer. I’ve taken all my meds I am allowed, so some form of "attitude adjustment" has to smooth out my pond and keep me going through the day.

Techniques to reset

Here are 6 techniques I’ve tried to re-level my pond:

• Take a deep breath or 2 (or even 3 or 4. Deep breathing is not automatic and the effort gives your brain a chance to reset.
• Change the conversation. Approach the issue from a different direction.
• Walk away from the issue for a while. Few issues must be resolved immediately. Try focusing on a positive that always makes you feel good. Then, you can circle back to the issue.
• Progressive muscle relaxation. Another method of disengaging your brain from the current stressor. In one variation, start with your toes and relax each muscle group as you go up your body.
• Exercise. If you have the room and the time, a round of power moves will help clean your body and mind of stress. Yoga and tai chi are good alternatives.
• Meditation. Another method to clear your mind and relax your body. Tai chi and yoga are also forms of meditation.

What works best for me

I find my most successful technique at the moment is a form of walking away from the issue. I focus on the audible and visual effects of falling water. In our backyard, we have 2 water features consisting of large blue pots overflowing into reservoirs.

I "see" the water roiling the surface of the fountain, overflowing the pot and sliding down the sides of the pot.  I "hear" the sound the water makes as it burbles and drips. If I focus on the image for even a few seconds, my mind and body almost always reset.

How do you describe your Parkinson’s variability? What are your "pebbles and rocks?" What techniques do you use to stop the ripples and waves in your "pond?" Comment below!