Gardening and Yard Work with Parkinson's

Pearls for Parkinson's: Tips for Daily Living with PD. 

To watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/W14wFLG5Tk4

Spring is here - and so is gardening season. But if Parkinson’s has changed how yard work feels, you are not alone.

This week on Pearls for Parkinson’s, we share practical tips to garden smarter, stay safer, conserve energy, and still enjoy the peace and purpose that comes from being outside.

To support more programs like this: https://wiparkinson.app.neoncrm.com/forms/support-pearls4pd

Wisconsin Parkinson Association 
website: https://wiparkinson.org/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wiparkinson
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wiparkinson/
instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wiparkinson/

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:04

Welcome to Pearls for Parkinson's. Here is this week's Daily Living Tip. Welcome back to Pearls for Parkinson's. Today we're talking about gardening and yard work with Parkinsons. Spring has arrived, and for many people, that means it's time to head outside. The flowers are blooming, the grass is growing, and the yard is calling. Gardening and yard work can be wonderful for both the body and the mind, and it really gets you moving, gets you feeling that fresh air, and offers that deep satisfaction of seeing something grow. But if you live with Parkinson's, those same activities can also bring some challenges, fatigue, stiffness, balance changes, slower movements, or feeling frustrated that tasks don't happen the way they once did. So today's Perl is talking about how you may need to garden differently, but you can absolutely still garden well. Let's talk about how. First, you want to work in smaller chunks. Many people try to tackle the whole yard in one afternoon, only to feel wiped out for the rest of the day or even the next day. Instead, think shorter sessions. 20 to 30 minutes of activity followed by a short break and plenty of hydration can keep you conserving energy and reducing your stiffness. A little each day often works better than overdoing it all at once. Second, pick the right time of day. Try to do your yard work during your best medication on time when your movement feels easier and more reliable. For many people, morning is ideal, plus it's cooler. Energy is often better, and the body may feel more ready to move. Third, bring the garden up to you. Bending low to weed or plant can be difficult with Parkinson's. It may worsen balance, stiffness, or even make getting back up a lot harder. Raised garden beds, large containers, hanging baskets, or a sturdy kneeling bench with handles can make a huge difference. There's no rule that says gardens have to be in the ground. Fourth, think about your safety first. Yards are full of uneven ground, hoses, mulch, tools, rocks, and even slippery spots. And those can quickly become a fall risk. Make sure you're wearing supportive shoes with a good grip. Clear all your pathways. Turn slowly, especially when you're carrying items. And if you feel rushed, pause. Parkinson's often responds better to intentional movement rather than hurried movement. Fifth, use tools that help you. Lightweight rakes, padded handles, rolling garden stools, carts, and long-handled tools can save energy and reduce your strain. Some people hesitate to use adaptive equipment, but these tools aren't shortcuts. They're just smart strategies. And sixth, check your posture. Many people with Parkinson's notice a tendency to lean forward without even realizing it. Every few minutes, do a body check, pause and reset. Stand tall, roll your shoulders back, lift your chest and take a deep breath, and then continue. That quick reset can help improve your balance and your movement and will help alleviate any pain afterwards. And finally, hydrate and listen to your body. Heat and dehydration can worsen symptoms. Keep water nearby, take breaks in the shade, and stop before exhaustion hits. Pushing too far today may cost you tomorrow. But you know, gardening offers more than just exercise. It offers purpose and routine and for me, calm. And for many people, hope. Watching something grow can be really powerful medicine. So if your pace is slower now, if your garden looks a little bit different now, and if you need help now, that's okay. Different doesn't always mean that you have to be done with that activity. Thanks for joining me today on Pearls for Parkinsons. If this episode reminded you of someone who loves their yard or their garden, please share it with them. Share it with a friend or support group. And see you next Monday for more Pearls for Parkinson's. The Wisconsin Parkinson Association is a grassroots organization funded by people like you. To support more local programming like this, visit wiparkinson.org.