It is summer 2025, and in the States and other places in the Northern Hemisphere many of you have been facing extreme heat. Exposure to the heat and humidity causes Parkinson’s symptoms to look worse. Keep your faith and defeat the fear…you ARE NOT getting worse!
The hot weather
You need to realize that you are impacted by weather. Moreover, Parkinson’s sufferers in the Northern Hemisphere have been impacted in a harsh way during these last couple of weeks coming into summer.
Additionally, if you look in the Parkinson’s Recipe for Recovery®, in cause number 2, you will see that heat agitates wind. Finally, this means that internal heat makes you have larger tremors and internal heat causes a worse-looking set of other symptoms.
You are not getting worse
As a result of the record hot weather in the Northern Hemisphere, people are experiencing dizziness and fatigue. Also, the difficulty with staying hydrated has caused increases in tremors and slowness. The body is using extra energy to stay mobile. Moreover, the Parkinson’s body was low on energy to begin with, so when the body is needing more energy to stay mobile, you will suffer with increased symptoms.
However, this does not equate to you getting worse with Parkinson’s. It equates to a body adjusting its energy for comfort and survival. In the Northern Hemisphere, the body needs a certain amount of water to stay hydrated and to use perspiration to regulate body temperature, and it is prioritizing its energy. That’s all!
Things to know about hydration
The Parkinson’s body is moving very slowly inside, and the hot weather exacerbates the situation. Recuperating from the effects of extreme weather takes time.
1. You need to stay hydrated.
2. Even sitting inside in the air conditioning still has you exposed to the extreme heat. Think about it. If you turned off your air conditioner, your home would get very hot. Even though the air conditioning cools your skin, the heat has permeated your body. You need to stay hydrated.
3. Do not wait until you are thirsty to begin to drink water. Your body already is heating up inside, so stay ahead of the heat and stay hydrated.
Click here for some assistance in staying hydrated.
Understanding the Parkinson’s body
For example, when I had Parkinson’s, here is how I realized how slowly my body was moving inside. One evening, Sally and I had roasted beets with our dinner. The next morning, Sally reminded me that beets will bring a reddish color into urine and bowels, so not to be afraid if I saw red in my urine or bowels.
In contrast to Sally, it was three and four days later that there was a reddish color in my urine and bowels. After my full recovery, the reddish color from the beets would appear the same day or the next day.
I offer this story so you can understand that heat has built up inside of you and exacerbated the symptoms. By the time the symptoms appear worse, the heat already had taken hold of you on the inside, but it had taken a number of days to appear as worse-looking symptoms.
Drinking plenty of water and eating cooling foods (you can go on Google and look up cooling foods) will start the process of cooling you down.
You are using more energy
Since you may be behind on hydrating for the heat, and the body is moving slowly inside, it will take some time to catch up to the heat with hydration. Plus, getting and staying cooler will use a lot of extra energy.
It is the same as what is happening in your home — if you are using the air conditioner more than usual because of extreme temperatures, you are using more electricity, and you will get a higher electric bill next month. Why? Because you are using more energy. The body will become fatigued as it does not have excess energy to use for body temperature regulation. That’s it.
Doing your best
As you have been struggling, it is important to know that your best is good enough. Not only do you need to know this, but you need to know that each day “your best” will be different than the day before. Don’t judge or criticize yourself…just do your best. And, let your faith defeat your fear.
Be strong. We will get through these extreme temperatures together.
Here is a way to approach the situation and help your recovery: Every time you see an increased symptom, announce to the symptom, “This is caused by the extreme heat. It is not caused by Parkinson’s getting worse.” Blame the heat. Additionally, blame the heat again. FINALLY, DO NOT blame the Parkinson’s. You are getting better!
Take good care of yourself
Heat can cause health related issues, so please take good care of yourself. Click here for a brief explanation from the Mayo Clinic.
Finally, for those of you who have not been impacted by extreme heat, we are 6 days into summer, so please take good care of yourselves and make certain to stay hydrated. You never know what heat is right around the corner.
How are you doing with the summer heat? Post a comment and let us know how you are impacted and what you are doing to stay cool.
You are worth it!!!
All my best,
Howard
I know the heat exacerbates my symptoms, but it does not stop my healing.
I have the power to heal myself.
THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH ME!
I am abundant health. I am allowed to be abundantly healthy.
I am joy. I am allowed to be joyful.
I am gratitude. I am allowed to be grateful.
I am happiness. I am allowed to be happy.
I am love. I am allowed to be loving.
I am forgiveness. I am allowed to be forgiving.
I am compassion. I am allowed to be compassionate.
Parkinson’s is curable.
I am my own Parkinson’s cure.
I am slowing, halting, and reversing the progression of my Parkinson’s.
I am extraordinary.
I am recovery.
AND, I AM WORTH IT!!!
Good afternoon!
I came back from a flight trip. Lots of walking at the airports’ gates. Not enough energetic food on the planes. Picking up the car from the rental agency and local trips made me feel dehydrated. Replenish daily when at the studio rental place, such as running water with tea, water, fresh juices…paused for a few days the Qigong exercises due to ‘zero’ energy. :)
Dear Howard,
Yes, the heat is slowing me down, but I stay inside and do my best to drink, walk, read and relax, today one wonderful day with rain and fresh air, then it starts again with heat, but we have the power to take care of us! You, dear Howard, are supporting us all the time and that is what counts, without this we would not be on the way to the recovery!!
I am in a body that is mostly water, therefore I need to stay hydrated.
I am healing & moving slower in this heatwave, but I still need to be hydrated.
I am worth it.
Staying hydrated!
Doing my best knowing it’s good enough!
I’m doing my best to walk in the am and do the recipe when it’s cooler.
Thanks Howard!
Part of my response to the heat: “Ok, it is hot where I am. Thank you for the ability to move around freely, to stay as cool as possible, and to be well hydrated.”
Thank you for the reminder Howard!
Thank you Howard, as always!
I have a history of running cold, and I absolutely love heat :)
Since our home is under the trees, it stays cool naturally and I am still wearing socks and leggings in the mornings, waiting for the afternoons when the house begins to radiate some heat inside it, and I’m delighted that I can take my layers off LOL
I stay hydrated as a practice, year round, and very grateful for the waters…
Much gratitude and blessings to you, Howard, and to all you Recovery Warriors on this path… We are all recovering! We are all worth it!
I am taking my walks very early in the morning! It’s so beautiful and calming!
Also making sure I am getting my water and lots of electrolytes!
Stay hydrated!
Thank you, Howard for the wonderful reminder!
Being sure during the extreme heat to stay extra hydrated…. Moving slower, no problem!
That was a little joke!!!
Seriously, it helps being retired, I have the luxury of being able to stay in, out of the heat, reading a good novel, munching on watermelon, very hydrating..
I am not getting worse. I’m blaming the heat, not the Parkinson’s.
Thank you for this wonderful post Howard! Grateful for you!
I am not getting worse, I am getting better and recovering! In spite of seeing increased symptoms in this summer weather, I choose faith over fear!
I am so grateful for every glass of water! And the reminder to stay hydrated!
Thank you Howard!
The heat makes me tired and I have less energy, and my symptoms are worse at the moment.
I know it will be better soon. Thank you as always for your support Howard. I really appreciate it.
I am not getting worse, I am getting better and stronger everyday
I am an ageless spiritual being in an aging physical body
I give thanks for my human experience
Thank you Howard
Thanks Howard for the heat and hydration reminder!
Thanks Howard,
While I’m in down under country (Australia) and we are in the throws of winter, this is very useful. I do think that hydration is so important and great to be reminded of.
When I am hydrated, my insides work perfectly and I feel freer! and not grumpy!
When I wake up I have a large lemon water while I do my Qi Gong to assist with the Liver cleanse process. When I get to the end of the recipe, bathroom visits and then ready for the day.
When there has been extreme bouts of cold or heat, I do notice a change in symptoms, however I really don’t bother with it as I know I’m on the pathway to total recovery.
Love to all the Northern Hemisphere,
Happy Healing!!!
Staying hydrated, doing my best and keeping the faith that I will recover. I am worth it!
Thank you Howard!
I’ve needed more rest and naps in this warm weather but very grateful that I can fit them in. I’m happy also for the cooler times I do experience. It’s really helpful to hear from the P.D. Warriors who generously share your ideas and inspiration.
Last but not least, thanks to you, Howard for giving us such great information!
I love the warmth and the summer. During this time, I don’t feel cold. Even when it gets hot, there’s always a cooler spot to be found. I drink plenty of fluids. Warmth does me good — and when I feel good, Mr. Parkinson feels bad.
I’m grateful for the water that’s available to all of us. Thank you, Howard, for your cooling tips.
Yes, as others have noted, the heat does zap the energy level! While proper precaution is necessary, so is staying active and staying positive. Despite what we may hear, we can successfully battle Parkinsons! Stay positive and stay cool!