According to the Parkinson’s Foundation exercise is one of the keys to managing the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease (http://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/treatment/Exercise/Neuroprotective-Benefits-of-Exercise). It can help in reducing symptoms and help you stave off the diseases progress, too. We already know that exercise has an important role to play in our overall health so hopefully it’s something that you already do. Don’t worry, if it isn’t something that you’re used to it isn’t too late to start. You just need to work your way up to achieving 30-minute sessions by starting with increments of 10 minutes (or even 5 if you need to).
The earlier into your diagnosis you start exercising …show more content…
However, as exercise also provides a serious boost to your mood it’s an important aspect of looking after your mental health which is another important aspect of taking care of yourself when you have Parkinson’s Disease.
Before you settle on an exercise routine you may want to consult the advice of WebMD (https://www.webmd.com/parkinsons-disease/guide/parkinsons-exercise) and you may want to speak to your doctor about the right type of exercise as well as the intensity and amount of time you should spend doing it. The key, though, is always completing warm up and cool down exercises. There are great non-impact exercises that can help you improve your balance and also mitigate your risk of falls – such as water aerobics and yoga – you should also consider spending time with a physical therapist.
Additionally, a 12 year study from Sweden found that finding time to exercise (moderately) for six hours every week can reduce the risk of developing Parkinson’s Disease by 43% (https://academic.oup.com/brain/article/138/2/269/291630/Physical-activity-and-risk-of-Parkinson-s-disease). So, if you have a loved one you want to help encourage them to start exercising now to protect their future