“December is the time for remembering the past and reaching toward the future.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Welcome winter. Your late dawns and chilled breath make me lazy, but I love you nonetheless.” Terri Guillemets
Introduction: As we start the holiday season, for anyone with Parkinson’s, it could be either the best of times or the worst of times. The best of times, because maybe you traveled and got to visit family and friends you haven’t seen in a while. Perhaps it was the worst of times because your Parkinson’s flared up, you fell ill, and spent most of the time feeling miserable.
You and your Parkinson’s are used to your regular routine. And by following your usual routine, your symptoms are mostly kept under control. However, once you exceed this normal pace and lifestyle, things can go awry, and your symptoms start firing off, and suddenly, your Parkinson’s is back in full-blown mode. After this, unfortunately, it will just take time to readjust your body and for your Parkinson’s to return to normal.
You have probably seen a bunch of lists, but here are some helpful tips (and yes, they’re probably, most obviously, but one can always keep a new list right at han”d).
“Christmas will always be as long as we stand heart to heart and hand in hand.” Dr. Seuss
Managing your Medications and Supplements:
Stick to your usual schedule for taking carbidopa/levodopa. Your body is used to this routine. Yes, being out of town, and even your meals may be irregular in their timing. Unfortunately, your Parkinson’s symptoms may flare up when you are away.
Eating large meals during the holiday may disrupt the absorption of your levodopa. Definitely celebrate, but try not to over-indulge. And again, as just mentioned, timing is everything with your levodopa dose.If traveling for the holidays, be sure to have enough of your medication before traveling (e.g., just in case, bring an extra week’s worth of drugs and supplements). Pharmacies are typically closed at times during the holiday season.
Bring extra medication just in case you lose your primary source. If flying to your holiday destination, make sure your current allotment and your secondary stash of medication are with you in your carry-on bag. Amazon.com sells small plastic bags for dividing up your medications and supplements for the trip.
If traveling for the holidays and you are going out of your time zone, take your medications at the correct time in your new time zone. It will take a few days for your body to compensate for the changed time, then you can follow the expected time change.
“Sharing the holiday with other people, and feeling that you’re giving of yourself, gets you past all the commercialism.” Mary Ellen Goodman.
Food and Beverage:
Most of us tend to overeat and drink during the holidays. Staying on a healthy diet is essential. Yes, enjoy the festive meal and have a few drinks. Doing it once probably won’t harm your system or your Parkinson’s, but overeating and drinking throughout the whole time you’re away could cause constipation and make you feel unwell. This note isn’t meant to scold you or say I told you so. You’re an adult, and you’ll do what is best for you.
“Christmas is like Candy; it slowly melts in your mouth sweetening every taste bud, making you wish it could last forever.” Richelle E. Goodrich
Sleep Habits:
Maybe you are lucky and have an effective sleep routine (habit, environment, and sleep timeframe/amount). For most of us, our life with Parkinson’s is adversely affected by getting less sleep than ‘normal’. Traveling and getting away can disrupt your sleep. Accept this and do your best to compensate for the deficiency. Pacing yourself may make you a little more boring than you were ‘way back when,’ but it will let you finish the race without coming up short.
“Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.” Hamilton Wright Mabie.
Exercise:
Okay, so now you’ve been exercising five days a week, mixing aerobic and weightlifting, adding some stretching routines, and ending your days with yoga. Now that you’re away, it’s a holiday, and what do you do? Before Parkinson’s, you would probably take a mental and physical health break, let your body relax and heal itself, and just take the holiday off. Now, with Parkinson’s, I’d say do what you can. Try to stretch a couple of times a day, maybe convince your family or grandkids to go outside for a walk. Okay, so it’s snowing and blowing fiercely outside, don’t be too hard on yourself. Enjoy the time with family and friends, wherever you are.
“Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing, but of reflection.” Winston Churchill.
Traveling for the Holidays:
If you are traveling,try to rest some time before and on the day after your trip. Taking a little time for yourself may help make the adjustment necessary to fully enjoy being away. Try to encapsulate all of the good things you are able to control during your trip, such as eating, timing of medication, exercise, naps/sleep, and what you do at home that matters. So, try to adhere to it somewhat when away.
Stress-wise I would frequently fly out on Christmas Day, as it always seemed to be less stressful and with fewer people flying. And if you think it would help you get from point A to point B at an airport, arrange ahead of time to schedule a wheelchair. From my viewpoint, Susan doesn’t want me driving on trips anymore, and being the passenger is somewhat less stressed.
“Christmas isn’t a season. It’s a feeling.” Edna Ferber
NOT Traveling this Holiday Season:
There are lots of reasons you may not travel, like the increased stress, maybe your Parkinson’s has made it more difficult for you to enjoy traveling.
If you are not traveling for the holidays but are scheduling live Zoom or FaceTime chats with these family members, importantly, share the news (and the reasons why) you are not traveling by email or writing them an explanation beforehand. Do not waste valuable time talking about your Parkinson’s in place of visiting with your family.
“Be present in all things and thankful for all things.” Maya Angelou
A Closing Thought for the December Weather and Holiday Season:
When I was much younger, I never thought that visiting family was a holiday or vacation. Now, as a seasoned adult with Parkinson’s, I realize the importance of the time to spend with family and friends because it is the connection that keeps us grounded and moving on. The togetherness unites our hearts and strengthens them. So whether it is in person, via online chat, making these connections puts energy into your soul, and that is something that Parkinson’s can never access or drain.
Happy everything in this holiday season y’all.
“How did it get so late so soon? It’s night before it’s afternoon. December is here before it’s June. My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon?” Dr. Seuss
Cover Photo Image by boostylez from Pixabay
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Journey with Parkinson's 