Finding Your Mental Reset Button

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

To watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/IWG2ljs5aHI

Some days, Parkinson’s just wears on you.

When frustration, worry, or overwhelm starts to take over, having a mental reset button can help. Maybe it’s stepping outside, taking a short walk, listening to music, calling someone who makes you laugh, or simply giving yourself a few quiet minutes.

This week on Pearls for Parkinson’s, we’re sharing simple ways to reset an emotionally difficult moment before it becomes a difficult day.

Because one hard moment doesn’t have to become a hard day.

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

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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 finding your mental reset button. Some days Parkinson's just wears on you. Maybe your body isn't cooperating or you're running late because everything takes longer. You're worried about an appointment or frustrated by a symptom or simply tired of having to think about Parkinson's every day. Then something small happens and suddenly it feels like one thing too many. And that's when it's really good to have a mental reset button. A reset doesn't mean pretending that you're not frustrated or worried or having a hard day. Those feelings are very real. And it just means finding a way to keep one difficult moment from taking over the rest of your day. Sometimes the easiest place to start is really by changing what's around you. Step into another room or sit outside for a few minutes, walk to the mailbox, or stand near an open window. Simple change of scenery can interrupt the momentum of frustration. While you're there, check your body. Are your shoulders tight? Is your jaw clenched? Are you holding your breath? Try a few slow breaths, making your exhale as long or longer than your inhale. Drop those shoulders down and relax your hands. Give your body a chance to let go of some of that tension. Movement can help too. Take a short walk, a stretch, go water the flowers, or play with the dog. Put on a favorite song that really changes your mood. It doesn't have to be exercise. Sometimes your brain just needs your body to do something different for a few minutes. You can also give your senses a little bit of a change by maybe putting some cool water on your face or step outside for fresh air, turn off the television and sit somewhere quiet. Don't underestimate laughter. Watch something funny. Call the person who always makes you laugh. Look through photos or spend a few, you know, moments with a pet or a grandchild. We spend too much time managing Parkinson's that Parkinson's start to become the center of the day. Give yourself a few minutes that have absolutely nothing to do with it. You can also simply state what you're feeling. I'm frustrated today. I'm overwhelmed. I need a few minutes. You don't always have to, you know, keep it in. You and you don't need somebody to fix it either. Sometimes putting the feelings into the atmosphere is just enough to take some of the pressure out of it. And if you're the person that's listening, remember that you don't always need to answer. Sometimes I understand is exactly what's needed. One of the best things you can do is figure out your reset buttons ahead of time. Maybe yours is taking a walk or listening to music or calling your sister, sitting with a dog, or working out in the garden, maybe saying a prayer. Pick three things that reliably help you feel more like yourself. You know, put them in your back pocket for the days when you need them. And pay attention to patterns. If anxiety, irritability, sadness, or feeling overwhelmed tend to happen around the same time each day, notice where it falls in relation to your Parkinson's medications. Mood changes can sometimes occur during off periods, and that's something worth discussing with your healthcare team. Your reset button won't make Parkinson's disappear, but sometimes five minutes is enough to just change the direction of the next hour or maybe even the rest of your day. I hope you enjoyed this episode. If you did, hit that like button, share it with a friend or a support group, and tune in 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.