Last week, we learned how to say goodbye to stress with joy. Additionally, to assist you further, today we will learn how to say goodbye to stress with acceptance.
Quick review on stress and Parkinson’s symptoms
In the previous blog post, we explored the relationship between stress and Parkinson’s symptoms. However, a quick review will assist us today.
What is stress? 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.
Also, here is a review of the responses from the professionals regarding stress and Parkinson’s symptoms.
“Yes, stress significantly increases and worsens Parkinson’s disease (PD) symptoms, including tremors, bradykinesia (slowness), freezing of gait, and muscle stiffness.”
Additionally, “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.
Moreover, “Yes, lowering stress can significantly help manage Parkinson’s disease (PD) symptoms.”
Finally, “Yes, lowering stress can significantly improve the effectiveness of Parkinson’s medications.”
The circumstances of having Parkinson’s
Parkinson’s is defined as having certain symptoms.
Also, as long as you still have Parkinson’s, by definition, you are required to have symptoms.
Additionally, when you finish your recovery from Parkinson’s, not only will you have 100% physical abilities return, but also, you will have no symptoms.
Acceptance of the circumstances
Stress occurs when the mind refuses to accept the reality of the situation. However, logic then would say that stress reduces and goes away when the mind accepts the reality of the situation.
Here are levels of acceptance of reality regarding temporarily having Parkinson’s.
“I accept that I received a diagnosis of Parkinson’s.”
“However, I accept that I am allowed to reject the prognosis and work on my recovery doing the Parkinson’s Recipe for Recovery®.”
“Also, I accept that Parkinson’s is defined as having certain symptoms.”
“Additionally, I accept that while I still have Parkinson’s, I will have some symptoms.”
“Moreover, I accept that when I have my full recovery from Parkinson’s, I will have 100% of my physical abilities return, AND, I will have no symptoms.”
“Finally, I accept the reality of the situation that temporarily I have Parkinson’s disease and Parkinson’s symptoms in my life.
Saying goodbye to stress with acceptance
Click here to read, “Why Acceptance is One of the Best Stress Reducers.” Also, I love this article by Dr. Olivo as she covers much of what we discuss, including:
“Acceptance is an attitude, not an action. It’s a state of mind that you cultivate by recognizing the situation, identifying and acknowledging the emotions that are stressing you out, and just allowing it all to be.”
Finally, click here to read, “Fighting Parkinson’s, and attitude, attitude, attitude.”
Conclusion
Parkinson’s professionals have expressed that stress exacerbates symptoms and makes the medications less effective or not effective at all. Additionally, Parkinson’s professionals added that lowering stress helps with symptoms and helps the medications be more effective.
Moreover, today’s focus is on acceptance reducing stress. Next week, we will address how non-resistance 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 acceptance reducing or eliminating the stress.
You are worth it!!!
All my best,
Howard
Acceptance is definitely key for me. Lowering stress levels for me is always by saying “It’s okay, this is life, move on”, this has helped me so much. I just want to share something positive that I started cycling again this week in the mornings & the body feels really great. I am very cautious not to stress the body.
Thank you so much to the recipe Howard, it’s really made an impact in my life. Thank you warriors for the continued encouragement from your posts. I am absolutely grateful for the continued positivity of this forum.
Namaste
I am on vacation in a very warm climate. I am finding that the heat and humidity are exacerbating my symptoms, which leads to frustration.
I find that when I accept the symptoms and do the Recipe, I have relief. This is especially so with the various meditations.
I say to my body, “OK. Thank you.” And I live my life, with acceptance.
I am learning this lesson now. What a funny phenomenon!
Thank you Howard! I love this blog! It really helps me to keep pushing forward! I Praise God for sending you my way! God Bless everyone…we can do this! ♥️🙏🏻✝️😇
This is timely! I realize how much of my life has been lived in adrenaline mode. How much time I’ve wasted stressing over what I can’t control. It’s actually somewhat surprising that I didn’t become symptomatic earlier. I believe God is in control and brings the difficult things and the beautiful things at the right time. I guess you can often say the lovely is born from adversity. Thanks Howard for the great reminders. Thank you fellow travelers for your honesty and perseverance.
Acceptance is the only way. The more I follow acceptance, the more I understand this is the only way. It is really the only choice, and this brings me to my true authentic self, where I am free to experience my rebirth.
And so it is…
Thank you Howard!
This is so timely, Howard, Thank You!
Acceptance is what I’ve been working on intently recently.
Accepting my physical symptoms, as well as my mental resistance, as “What Is”, and as TEMPORARY!
I say to myself: I accept it all, and it is all changing, moment by moment…
Thanks, Howard, for your poignant reminders, and thank you, fellow travelers, for sharing the journey!
We’re getting there!!!
Eloquently put everyone!
Thanks for your bold and courageous effort to overcome your Parkinson’s.
You are all an inspiration for me, a shining example of what to do and how to do it.
Many thanks again Howard.
Marie
Accepting things as they are is key to having peace in your heart. When you have peace you have joy.
Thank you Howard
The comments are very helpful. Thank you everyone for your contributions!
I accept that I have symptoms. At the same time I know that this does not mean it is time to be passive. I can be positive, I can do the Recipe, and I can go without fear. Doing helps to reduce my stress.
Thank you Howard.
This week’s, blog reminds me of someone who said:
‘problems accepted are solutions; solutions fought against are problems.’
Accepting symptoms for me means accepting fearlessness . . . love conquers fear, as Howard has said, so . . . I love my symptoms! Soon they will leave me, and I will lovingly say to them: thank you for the lessons, goodbye. Wishing everyone a great week : )
Olivo says, “You create stress for yourself when you deal with something difficult or painful by ruminating about it, finding others to blame, and generally telling yourself how terrible it is and how overwhelmed you are by it. When you do those things you are practicing non-acceptance – you are struggling against the situation rather than admitting to yourself that whatever it is is happening, and that’s just the way it is.“
I’ve been experiencing some pain from a bent tailbone that hasn’t quite healed yet. It’s affecting my other PD symptoms in a pretty negative way. I’ve definitely been ruminating about it and telling myself how terrible it is and how overwhelmed I am by it. Apparently, this is practicing non-acceptance! This is why we read the blog; this is why we need Howard as our guide.
Carry on PD warriors! #Temporary #Courageous #Limitless
I think I’ve got a lifetime of doing what Yvonne described in the post just above this one: “…ruminating about it and telling myself how terrible it is and how overwhelmed I am….” Once I thought this was being honest, facing my feelings, being open about how I feel, but now I know differently. If I start to ruminate, I’ve crossed a line and I’m doing what I used to do. If I acknowledge the feeling, and accept that it’s there and move onto the solution, I can look forward to some relief from symptoms stress. PD makes this process so black-and-white! Thank you for the lessons and thank you all for your posting.
Saying goodbye to STRESS with acceptance that I temporarily have Parkinson’s!!!
I accept that I have symptoms! I also accept that when I have my full recovery from Parkinson’s, I will have 100% of my physical abilities return, AND, I will have no symptoms.
Acceptance is an attitude!
We are all worth it……
Thank you Howard!!!
Sandra, I have found myself repeating some of the words you used in your post above, thank you, it’s encouraging me and strengthening me. I am worth it and so are you and so are each one of us!
Thank You Howard !!
I think that stress arrives as a result of us not being completely happy with ourselves in those situations. We might not accept how we move or respond to a certain set circumstances especially in our recovery.
Well upon reflection it is the case for myself !!
More self love / acceptance is key to reducing stress
So grateful for all of you wonderful people
Love from Down Under
Howard, your words said it all:
Parkinson’s is defined as having certain symptoms.
As long as we still have Parkinson’s, by definition, we are required to have symptoms.
When we finish our recovery from Parkinson’s, not only will we have 100% of our physical abilities return, but ALSO, we will have NO symptoms.
Wishing us all acceptance that there will be difficult times, and a speedy reversal and recovery to a time when we will all have NO symptoms. XXX.
Acceptance is an attitude! Stress is exacerbating my symptoms but doing the Recipe I know that It is temporary and when finish the recovery from Parkinson’s I will have 100% of my physical ability return and will have no symptoms.
Thank you warriors for the positivity in your posts! Thank you Howard for the blog!
Faith is believing in God’s Goodness. Blessings to us all!