We began this year with 2026…the year of joy! Also, it is important to realize as you practice joy that stress has a negative impact on joy. Additionally, today, we say goodbye to stress with joy!
What is stress?
According to the World Health Organization, stress is:
The body and brain’s response to any demand, challenge, or threat, often known as fight to flight response.
Also, it involves a release of hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, causing physical reactions such as increased heart rate, rapid breathing, and heightened alertness.
Moreover, while short-term stress can boost performance or safety, chronic, long-term stress can severely harm physical and mental health.
Stress and getting the Parkinson’s
Cause 1 listed in the Parkinson’s Recipe for Recovery® for what Ancient Chinese Medicine viewed as the three main causes of bringing the Parkinson’s symptoms to the surface states:
Qi and Blood Deficiency, which is caused by emotional stress, anger, frustration, and resentment.
Qi deficiency means that the kidneys are weak and the proper energy is not being delivered to the brain and body. Additionally, this means that your “Qi,” life energy, is deficient. Moreover, deficient life energy equates to fatigue and a general feeling of lethargy.
Blood deficiency means that there are too many physical and emotional toxins in the body. Also, this deficiency means that the proper enzymes, hormones, and nutrition are not being delivered to the body.
Finally, if emotional stress is the number 1 reason in the number 1 cause of what brings the symptoms to the surface, continuing to carry stress will keep the symptoms at the surface and impede recovery.
Also, here is the proof.
Stress exacerbates the Parkinson’s symptoms
Almost everyone with the Parkinson’s will acknowledge that when they feel stress, they see the symptoms increase. Also, the increase in symptoms such as tremors, stiffness and slowness generally causes more stress. Additionally, this is a vicious cycle that interferes with recovery.
Moreover, here is the proof. I went to Google and asked, “Can stress exacerbate Parkinson’s symptoms?”
The AI overview, citing hospitals and Parkinson’s organizations responded:
“Yes, stress significantly increases and worsens Parkinson’s disease (PD) symptoms, including tremors, bradykinesia (slowness), freezing of gait, and muscle stiffness.”
Stress impedes and eliminates the Parkinson’s medications effectiveness
People on medication have reported to me over the years that if they feel stress, their medication will be less effective or will not “kick in” at all.
Additionally, here is the proof. I went to Google and asked, “Can stress cause Parkinson’s medications to not kick in?”
The AI overview, citing hospitals and Parkinson’s organizations responded:
“Yes, stress can directly cause Parkinson’s medications to feel less effective or not “kick in,” leading to “OFF” periods where symptoms like tremors, stiffness, and slowness are more apparent.
Lowering stress improves the Parkinson’s symptoms
Almost everyone with the Parkinson’s will acknowledge that when they feel calm, they see the symptoms decrease.
Moreover, here is the proof. I went to Google and asked, “Can lowering stress help Parkinson’s symptoms?”
The AI overview, citing hospitals and Parkinson’s organizations responded:
“Yes, lowering stress can significantly help manage Parkinson’s disease (PD) symptoms.”
Lowering stress improves the Parkinson’s medications effectiveness
People on medication have reported to me over the years that if they feel calm, their medication is more effective and lasts longer.
Additionally, here is the proof. I went to Google and asked, “Can lowering stress help Parkinson’s medications effectiveness?”
The AI overview, citing hospitals and Parkinson’s organizations responded:
“Yes, lowering stress can significantly improve the effectiveness of Parkinson’s medications.”
Saying goodbye to stress with joy
We began this year with 2026…the year of joy. Also, you need to know that repetition of joy helps you say goodbye to stress. Additionally, by re-reading the blog posts on creating internal joy, you re-emphasize that internal joy helps you say goodbye to stress.
Click here to read the creation of internal joy part 1.
Click here to read the creation of internal joy part
Click here to read the creation of internal joy part 3.
Click here to read the creation of internal joy part 4.
Conclusion
You can see from today’s blog post that what has been written about stress supports the Recipe’s Cause 1 of what brings the Parkinson’s symptoms to the surface. Also, logic would tell you that continuing stressful feelings will keep the symptoms at the surface and make them worse.
Moreover, the Parkinson’s professionals have expressed that stress exacerbates symptoms and makes the medications less effective or not effective at all. Additionally, the Parkinson’s professionals added that lowering stress helps with symptoms and helps the medications be more effective.
Today’s focus is on joy reducing stress. Next week, we will address how acceptance reduces stress. I am looking forward to seeing you back here next week!
Please post a comment below and let us know how you are doing with your joy reducing or eliminating the stress.
You are worth it!!!
All my best,
Howard
My symptoms increase when the amygdala fires, and I feel stress. I use conscious breathing and joy affirmations to bring calmness.
I experience the joy of Being, here and now.
Hi Howard, I really appreciate this article. Thanks for sharing. I need to find joy, which is easier said than done.
I can feel the tremor ramping up just by thinking about something upsetting. I am getting better at changing the conversation in my mind by simply saying “I am in recovery – I am slowing, halting and reversing the symptoms.” And then I tell myself to stop ruminating on that and think of something that makes me happy. It is usually something from my past that I can easily recall (I have a couple go-to images that work). I can sometimes calm down in just a few minutes. If not, I use other outside me props… a hot bath or exercise or some distraction –
The focus on joy is really great! Thank you Howard!
Thank you Howard! I needed to read this today! I have a lot of work to do on being thankful for what I can do and not dwelling on the things I can’t do! God Bless everyone!
Stress definitely increases my symptoms,
and when I catch myself, I have 2 choices:
Either to give myself a hard time for stressing (which will make stress & symptoms worse),
or – accept me and love me as I am, remind myself of the joy in my life, use affirmations, smile at myself in the mirror, be kind to myself and others, move the needle back to joy: one thought at a time, one smile at a time…
Thank you Howard for your joyful and inspirational support!
Thank you friends on the path for walking it together…
This is absolutely true: stress exacerbates the symptoms of Parkinson’s. For me, it’s muscle stiffness and poor balance. I have some go to stress reduction strategies: a few breaths, pausing and feeling my legs, saying a prayer. This helps in the moment, but as soon as the moment passes, it seems that another stressful something arrives. Then we’re peeling the onion and it’s okay, apparently… Acceptance. Parkinson’s requires me to pay attention and to acknowledge the joy of relief. It is such a blessing when tremors and stiffness subside! Holding steady, so many blessings!
Thank you for this post, and for all the comments!
Thank you Howard for this week’s blog post on “STRESS” I was very grumpy towards my wife this morning and my grumpiness quickly turned to anger! To say the least, this did not go well. My PD symptoms increased greatly. After awhile I did ask Teri to forgive me for my unkindness towards her. She did forgive me and then I got in my car to go give a clarinet lesson. Within 45 minutes my increased symptoms diminished to “On” (full disclosure) I use meds, however, many times, they don’t work or help me at all. I am convinced because of my asking forgiveness and calming down is the reason I was in ON time by the time I got to give my clarinet lesson. My goal is to slowly diminish the amount of med needed to manage my symptoms until I don’t need any med and reach Full Recovery by opening the blocked dopamine flow, because I am worth it! Thanks Howard!
Thanks Howard. I like to watch TV in the evening but I get emotionally caught up in the stress of the plot. Also, there is lots of stress watching the Olympics and I live for watching football! But yeah, I feel the increased symptoms even though these are “luxury stresses”.
I always come back to Faith. Faith is the key to recovery from all illnesses. I must believe that The Seahawks will win. Then, even if the Patriots win, I will not Fear for the whole game. And then it was GOD’s will and I can move on to acceptance. Faith removes most of my stress.
Also, meditation, rest, healthy foods, Qi gong and other exercises. These things work and they make me feel joy. I met a fellow traveler last week and he asked me how long since I was diagnosed. 17 years? He was shocked and he asked me if I had a secret. I told him to get on the website and read your book. I was bursting with joy after that encounter. I love to carry the message.
Wow Tim , That is me also … The TV when it’s for leisure! Esp the Olympics. What an inspiration you are!
Thank you Howard for this post! And yes stress increases my symptoms! I’m practicing deep breathing and exercises also use affirmations like I’m recovery, I’m getting better and soon will be fully recovered with a smile! Good luck to all of this community! Thank you for all the comments!
Hello My fellow warriors!
Happy Friday! Stress is so toxic as I’ve had it this week and noticeably changed my symptoms and to be honest, the stress I often choose to take on is not necessary at all!
This is just a series of hard wired programs that I habitually return to some days without noticing how I got there. It’s when the ‘Okay’ mantra is normally needed, a beach walk and some chanting are installed into the program for some relief. I also pretend that the thoughts are in a floating cloud not actually me.
As it turns out this time, it was an issue I refused to deal with and pretended it didn’t exist.
Finally I surrendered to addressing the problem and guess what? The worry / fear /stress disappeared. There were some tears in the process however what a relief physically.
I felt the real me was not being the real authentic “ME” just a version of what I think I should be for others.
Peeling onion layers …..moment by moment here down under.
Love to all you brilliant warriors and love this blog.
Thanks Howard for a great blog today,
Aussie Cath
It’s true! Even before I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s I observed my tremor worsening with increased stress happening in my life. Instead of stressing over things that come up in everyday life, I count my blessings, like when I first resonated with your story Howard and KNEW it was the right path for me to take to Recover from Parkinson’s. That knowingness continues to bring a great amount of JOY and therefore boosts my Dopamine flow.
It’s wonderful to really connect with this community! We are all worth it!
Thanks for sharing your blog on stress Howard.
Marie
I am doing wonderful with acknowledging my stress when I see it creeping in like an old habit. I can quickly become observing witness, become curious, and just notice. Through this observing I am able to use the plethora of tools from my tool belt to use in the situation. It is fascinating and so powerful. The more I trust myself, the less I am worrying about what others are thinking. After all, the truth is that they are thinking about themselves not me! My oh my, what a story I can tell myself. I am doing great, and forever grateful!
And so it is….
Thank you Howard for this great post!
Stress definitely increases my symptoms but I have learnt to use “Ok apparently” and to Pause, breathe and pray and count my blessings. It’s amazing how doing this calms me down and my symptoms improve. God is wonderful!!
Thank you Howard.
There can definitely be vicious cycle, increased tremors with increased stress. I also use conscious breathing and affirmations to help. In some instances I also begin doing exercises from the Recipe starting medical Qigong for the liver.
Doing something positive for myself brings calm and joy. It is good to know the power to heal is within us!
I have noticed for a long time that stress has exacerbated my parkinson’s symptoms-
balance, muscle stiffness and tremor.
More recently I have become aware that the opposite is also true, so when my symptoms increase I do deep breathing or meditation. By being calmer I have more energy.
Thank you Howard for the blog and fellow warriors for all your comments, as I said I have always known this, but this has reinforced it. Cath is right when she talked about the hard wiring, which makes it so difficult to change. By being aware and owning the problem, like an alcoholic does, one can start healing and move forward.
Stress creeps in without a fanfare, and I don’t always know it at first, until the symptoms increase.
Once I become aware, I thank my brain in advance for releasing more dopamine to calm me, and thank her for not sending any more adrenaline.
Reflecting this week, I realised with some surprises that in fact, my life has never been this good. Yes I currently have some annoying symptoms, but if I look from outside at the bigger picture this is certainly true. Also, I know the symptoms are going away as I gain confidence in managing them.
I’m so grateful for the coaching (and the laughs especially thanks to Howard’s uplifting sense of humour) and all of the friends here, who comment and share. Wishing everyone near and far a happy week ahead.
Thanks Howard for the blog post!
In my experieence stresss aggravates or increases all the symptoms! If I catch myself I am able to change my thoughts to positive ones and then the joy comes! I can’t do it perfectly of course. It is a work in progress!
Trying my very best to emphasize and practice
internal joy that helps me say goodbye to stress.
Slowing down, breathing and replacing a negative
thought with a joyful image helps me considerably.
My go-to image is of nature.
Thank you and grateful to you Howard!!!