8 Tips for for surviving turbulent times in Parkinson's disease and beyond
As I reflect on this turbulent year, I am struck by a few things that have served me well in surviving difficult times. These 8 things were particularly helpful for me in 2020 during the COVID-19 crisis.
1. Being Present
Being present means be in the moment…it does not mean in what should have been or could have been… or the past… or the future. Just stay focused on the moment and all that your senses bring to you at the moment. The sights- trying to capture the sunset or sunrise of this day, appreciating the colors in the sky and the clouds— and how it is just a little different then yesterday’s beauty… The smells- the scent of the roses (e.g. on the way from my VA clinic to my car)... The sounds- of the birds or the music drifting in (from my kid’s guitar lesson)… The touch – of the warm water on your back in the shower after a long day at work. The taste- of a perfect ripe juicy peach of the summer.. which I (or you) may not have slowed down enough to fully appreciate .
2. Gratitude
Truly noticing and giving thanks for all the small things. And also thanks for the big things... and thanks for the biggest things. For instance, I am truly grateful for my family at work and at home, my patients and their caregivers who inspire me every day. This year, I am grateful for all the people that are in the background keeping it all running smoothly… the sanitation crew, the teachers, the grocery store workers, the delivery personnel… together they all kept us going through this turbulent year. Most of all, I am grateful for the frontline healthcare providers who have been serving tirelessly, risking their lives through these many long months.
3. Getting connected
We recently published a paper on the effects of loneliness on persons with Parkinson’s this year and the more I learned about the need for human connection, the more I realized how those around me were disconnected. I have made a concerted effort to align my actions with my words... I have been on a weekly zoom call with my immediate family in three different time zones... I have been on international happy hours with colleagues just to catch up and check in... and this year for the first time in almost a decade, I connected with 7 of my middle school friends on a Boxing day zoom meeting... magical to see folks I have known for decades. Time flies… reach out and connect with someone you miss.. I guarantee you will not regret it.
4. Staying grounded
I realize that so much of my happiness is around touch. I am a hugger... I love making people smile… Having to wear masks and seeing patients on tele-visits has been a really tough thing for me… I miss the positive energy from direct human interactions... So, for me, yoga has been really helpful through this pandemic. Being able to touch the earth, reach for the sky, feel the ground beneath my feet has been so good for my soul... I have been deepening my yoga and mindfulness explorations this year through a number of virtual workshops and I feel blessed that we can access so many amazing resources from the comfort and safety of our living rooms.
5. Getting out in nature
I have never been so connected to nature and this past year has given me the opportunity to explore my own back yard. I am usually the type of person who travels a lot for work but also enjoys global travelling for play . Getting to know the seasons and the weather patterns and appreciating mother earth for what she has provided has been an amazing blessing the pandemic has brought to me. Gardening, hiking, forest bathing, enjoying the night sky, sitting out by the fire… I have discovered endless avenues to explore and connect to my surroundings.
6. Appreciating the Arts
I have truly enjoyed some amazing music, great books, lovely poems and beautiful things this past year... I have a much deeper appreciation for the people who dedicate their lives to these art forms and I appreciate also how tough this year has been for them to find ways to express themselves. I have taken the time to reflect on how critical “the arts” are to my day-to-day happiness. Reading books and enjoying music from all over the world has been a tremendous comfort for me in this time when I have not been able to physically leave my home.
7. Being Kind- Especially to yourself (ME)
I have learned to let a lot of things slide this year… Not needing to be perfect… not needing to have the perfectly clean home, the perfectly groomed kids, the perfectly cooked seven course meals. I have allowed myself to take breaks, sleep in, wear my PJ’s all day, binge-watch Netflix and just eat cereal for dinner… Realizing that taking care of myself is critical and will facilitate my ability to take care of others… this was a huge breakthrough for me... I now realize that life is a marathon and not a sprint. Pace yourself and be kind..self-care for all!
8. Writing
Mike Okun and I have been fortunate to keep inspiring each other this year... We have had a meaningful and fun experience writing this blog and interviewing amazing global colleagues. These people have inspired us and with them we hope we can impact many lives. I personally loved writing in high school, but lacked the time to put the pen to paper... I have been inspired to crystallize my thoughts and have found it therapeutic to share them with you here in our beautiful shared space…
Stay safe, be kind, be compassionate especially to yourselves and I hope these tips will help you to survive turbulent times. Namaste
To read more books and articles by Michael S. Okun MD check Twitter @MichaelOkun and these websites with blogs and information on his books and http://parkinsonsecrets.com/ #Livingwith Parkinson’s #EndingPD #Parkinsonsecrets #LessonBedside and https://www.tourettetreatment.com/
He also serves as the Medical Director for the Parkinson’s Foundation.
To see more on Dr. Indu Subramanian she does live interviews of experts in Parkinson’s for the PMD Alliance.