We all have little rituals that we sprinkle through our days; whether it be starting the morning with a cup of coffee, or a daily stroll around the block, these rituals that we infuse into our days offer us a sense of calm, routine, and an opportunity to relax and be mindful. But what does being mindful actually mean? Mindfulness is a concept that has become very popular in recent years, and its dictionary definition can be summarised as a state of being present moment-to-moment and maintaining a nonjudgemental state of heightened awareness of our thoughts, emotions, and experiences. This is easier said than done most of the time as the world we live in is one of constant action and ‘doing,’ but when we do experience brief moments of pure presence and mindfulness, we quickly feel the benefits of it and seek out more of these precious moments!!

To me, mindfulness is about paying close attention to the details of life in order to enjoy them more!! Not only drinking that cup of coffee but also smelling it, feeling the warmth of the mug in my hands, and noticing the effect that it has on my whole body. Taking a walk around the block and paying attention to the birds and animals I see, the different gardens that I walk by, and feeling the sun and the breeze on my face. By approaching the activities and interactions of our day in this way, we open ourselves to a richer experience of the big and little moments in life. 

Practicing meditation can increase our ability to connect mindfully to our day-to-day experiences as we strengthen this mental ‘muscle’ of presence and focus and encourage ourselves to take time out for relaxation, stepping away from the demands of life. Not only does this practice of mindful meditation in our daily lives lead to a greater appreciation and sense of gratitude for all that life offers, but it has also been found to have a positive effect on the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

We know the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease well, but PD can also lead to non-motor symptoms such as anxiety and depression, difficulty sleeping and cognitive changes. According to a survey of 5000 patients regarding stress and mindfulness, referenced in NPJ Parkinson’s Disease, mindfulness-based practices helped participants better cope with stress related to living with Parkinson’s and led to a reduction in anxiety and depression. Improved cognitive and motor function, decreased “off episodes” and even a decrease in tremors (which have been found to worsen with stress) were also reported in Parkinson’s patients after participating in mindfulness practices. 

While scientists don’t yet have a complete answer to what is behind these remarkable benefits, they believe that the practice of mindfulness has the effect of changing the structure of the brain itself. Increases in grey matter density in an area of the brain thought to play an important role in the motor symptoms of PD were found with MRI imaging of the brains of people with PD who participated in a mindful meditation program according to a study published back in 2013 in Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery.

Here at PFP, we have heard from our Relax & Reset participants about the positive impact this class has had on their lives, and now there is research to back up just how important it is to care for ourselves in a holistic manner. Living with PD is unpredictable (to say the least!!) and one day is never quite the same as the next in terms of managing your symptoms. So alongside your regular exercise routine, adding mindfulness, meditation, gentle stretching, and relaxation into your day can serve as a form of self-care to help you manage your PD and connect more to the everyday joys of life. 

Each Moment is Precious by Patricia A. Fleming

Live in the moment,
Just take it all in.
Pay attention to everything,
Right there and right then.
Don’t let your mind wander
To what’s coming next.
Cherish this moment
And give it your best.
Don’t let tomorrow
Make you rush through today,
Or too many great moments
Will just go to waste.
And the person you’re with,
In that moment you share,
Give them all of your focus;
Be totally there.
Laugh till it hurts,
Let the tears drop.
Fill up each moment
With all that you’ve got.
Don’t miss the details;
The lesson is there.
Don’t get complacent;
Stay sharp and aware.
It can take but a moment
To change your life’s path.
And once it ticks by,
There is no going back.
In just 60 seconds,
You may make a new friend.
Find your true love,
Or see a life start or end.
You become who you are
In those moments you live.
And the growth’s not in taking
But in how much you give.
Life is just moments,
So precious and few.
Whether valued or squandered,
It’s all up to you!

Written by Nadine Eram

Power for Parkinson’s Relax & Reset Instructor